This question has been bandied around often this week.

-Talk of giving up huge scores to LSU, Auburn and Clemson over the past two seasons being un-Bamalike.

-The fact that Saban is 68, just two years younger than Bryant when he retired.

-Alabama no longer seems to have the talent gap over many of their key rivals on the national stage.

-They should have lost both games to Georgia, that last year they won the title.

-Team is no longer the disciplined machine we came to expect over the past decade.

-They actually have been out coached a few times the last couple of years.

 

So, is the Saban/Alabama dynasty over? Or, was this just a bump in the road like other teams have...but Alabama has seemed to avoid?

Will Saban win another SEC Title, another CFP Title in the next 2 to 4 years?

Don’t know if it’s over but it sure has taken a hit over the past 11 months.

I'll believe it's over when they fail to make the playoff more than once.

No.

Alabama is Alabama. Much easier to get to the top then STAY at the top. Injuries, players leaving early, the transfer portal, etc. are variables that coaches can't control. May never be as dominant, but will still be pretty darn good.

If not making the CFP for the first time marks the end of a dynasty, sign me up for that dynasty.

Maybe, but they'll still be elite.

Only 1 five star commit so far, but 20 four star commits is still pretty good.

I am hesitant to believe that Alabama is done, maybe a year or two to re-calibrate? I think Saban won't go too much longer though.

Saban has bemoaned the fact that he can't keep assistant coaches---which hurts in actual coaching and in recruiting. Maybe with Bama having an "off" year the assistants won't be so attractive to other schools and he can keep them. I do think there is quite a benefit in having the same staff year after year (as long as they're good of course).

As examples, look at UK with the continuity under Stoops and UL with the turnover under Petrino II.

Injuries, close the thread.

Saban has bemoaned the fact that he can't keep assistant coaches---which hurts in actual coaching and in recruiting. Maybe with Bama having an "off" year the assistants won't be so attractive to other schools and he can keep them. I do think there is quite a benefit in having the same staff year after year (as long as they're good of course).

As examples, look at UK with the continuity under Stoops and UL with the turnover under Petrino II.

 

Staff continuity is one thing I think is vital to successful programs, and something a lot of people don't consider.

If Tua doesn't get hurt, they beat Auburn 2/3 TD's and this conversation never exists.

 

Could any of the current 4 teams in the playoffs lose their Starting QB, play top level opponents and be in the conversation either?

I wish, but they'll be back next year.

LSU is better under Coach O, so that will make tougher sledding in the SEC West than it has been.

 

But Bama will be Bama. Their problem (besides injuries) is they played no one this year. If they had that Oregon win that Auburn has they would be right there waiting for UGA to lose.

I'll believe it's over when they fail to make the playoff more than once.

 

Especially in a year that they didn't lose their starting QB.