One insane stat that proves Nick Saban is the ultimate recruiter

Saban talked about the toll that travel takes on the players and fans when they play in a bowl game and for the national championship. Alabama blanked LSU for the next in 2011 and crushed Notre Dame to repeat in 2012.

Fisher's 2013 Florida State Seminoles can argue with the 2001 Miami Hurricanes and 2004 USC Trojans about which is the most dominant team of the 21st century. Another Alabama big play. "All these guys understand that they have a tremendous opportunity, and they've done a nice job of focusing on getting themselves ready".

They can't leave without Kiffin, could they? .

Then again, wouldn't you have said the same about Bowden at Florida State?

While the national championship definitely elevated Ohio State to the truly elite class of college football programs, Alabama proved last night that their program still sits in a class of its own. Saban said he would prefer the National Football League not provide its evaluations to players until after they are done competing. After all, it was the 5th National Championship he earned as a college football head coach since 2003, and that includes two years where he was an NFL head coach, according to the league's website. Before his second season, the Dolphins signed quarterback Daunte Culpepper instead of Drew Brees and ended up going 6-10. He has won ten bowl games and is a two time AP coach of the year. There also is the age difference.

That doesn't figure to improve much if officials stick with this undesirable format (except for next season, when December 31 falls on a Saturday and the games need to be shifted off New Year's Day because of the NFL). Both are two great coaches but Bryant has the edge over Saban at this point.

Then Saban said, who's nothing if not pragmatic: "But let me say this ..." Overall the truth is, Bear Bryant is the better coach. After awhile, he is bound to get bored at Alabama. He'll head back to the office for Wednesday meetings with players, including the latest group of underclassmen considering turning pro.

The onside kick was a classic underdog maneuver, a high-stakes gamble from a program that is seemingly always favored and from a coach that never used to make such moves. In addition to Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, the school has produced other football notables such as Paul Brown, Bo Schembechler, Paul Dietzel, Weeb Ewbank, Bill Mallory and John Pont. Clemson heads to Tallahassee in 2016, where they haven't won since 2006 but came pretty close in 2014 with Deshaun Watson a freshman (23-17 OT defeat). "That's kind of how I feel about it. I know you can't do this forever, but I certainly enjoy the moment and certainly look forward to the future challenges that we have and really have no timetable for ever not being a part of a team".

"Coach Saban is Coach Saban, regardless, on or off the field". As for replacements, well, I'll put it this way: Alabama will probably start next season ranked No. 1 or No. 2. Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com noted in July that "Saban isn't happy that National Football League draft grades were delivered to juniors on December 15". If it doesn't, consider this: Given the trend toward parity throughout college football and around collegiate and professional sports in general, who would replace Saban's dynasty someday?