CBS Sports Network analyst and former Notre Dame defensive tackle Aaron Taylor talks Nick Saban’s place in history, if Alabama still can make the championship game if it loses to LSU and why the Tigers are so tough on the Tide with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: Why has LSU fared so well against Alabama?
A: You can say what you want to about Les Miles but his teams are always very well prepared and extremely confident, and that’s especially true against Alabama. LSU is 4-1 in their last five to Tuscaloosa, so this team is pretty confident they can go in there and pull an upset against an undefeated Alabama team.
Q: What’s the biggest improvement with LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger this season?
A: He understands the offense better, just in better command and a lot of that can be attributed to (new offensive coordinator) Cam Cameron’s influence. How that translates on the field is his ability to get the ball down the field. LSU has historically been a power football offense, but this year, throwing the ball to their two great receivers, they’ve shown the ability to stretch it.
Q: Alabama is undefeated, but do you still have doubts?
A: They haven’t been as physical up front, and give coach (Nick) Saban and Alabama credit cause they’ve done an incredible job of coaching everyone up. But this game against LSU will be a lie detector and we’ll know if Alabama has gotten better against a weaker competitor or if they are a legit No. 1 team in the country because this is by far the best team they’ve played since Texas A&M. Whereas LSU has had a slate of games where they’ve been tested. … I don’t how good Alabama is. I will on Saturday night.
Q: If Alabama loses this game, could it still land a spot in national title game?
A: It would depend on how far they fell because they still would have a chance to get back to the SEC title game if they beat Auburn. Would you put a one-loss Alabama in over an undefeated Ohio State? Probably.
Q: Where would winning three straight titles put Saban in the all-time coaching category?
A: I think he would supplant what Bear Bryant did at Alabama and become the Tide’s greatest coach and arguably the greatest coach college football has ever had. In modern-day football, it is relatively easy to get on top, damn near impossible to stay on top. To me, what’s so impressive is how he gets his teams to perform at a top level and not let complacency set in. I don’t know if it could be ever done again.