Go look at the numbers, players, and rankings combined. You'll see that in less than half the time Saban has beaten Shula out of even consideration.

I agree with you. That is the biggest question. History says with Saban that probably won't happen.

Congrats to Bama fans on finally getting a return on part of their investment. If they don't win a National Championship by year 5 under Saban then what does it mean? It means failure for Bama. If Bama can win a BCSNC in the next 4 years then the investment in Saban was a good one for their program. Each year they will have to go through a different combination of Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Auburn and LSU in addition to overcoming injuries and the best of the rest. Any team from the SEC that scales that mountain deserves the title of National Champion.

I would normally agree but considering Shula didnt know who Burton Scott was a year ago when they talked, and for him to commit this summer, that is pretty impressive -- Scott was not happy with Bama at the time. Auburn has done well in Prichard lately too.

Says who? By your standards? I certainly do not EXPECT a NC in five years. It takes a lot of things going your way. I EXPECT Nick Saban to bring in the same quality talent as LSU, Georgia, Florida have been bringing in for the last five to six years. I expect Nick Saban to development that talent and put a highly competitive football team on the field. I EXPECT to compete and win an SEC title. I EXPECT Nick Saban to restore the health of this program. If a NC comes our way in doing these things I'll be grateful. But you're not speaking for me and my "expectations".

no doubt

easy Terry, just yanking your chain a bit.

BTW, still have doubts about Miles?

Shula never recruited without sanctions, that's not really fair comparing.

And it also affects the ones he did recruit. Not only did he have less numbers, it's a hell of alot harder getting good players with the few numbers you can recruit when you're on probabation.

Saban would have never taken the bama job, or any coaching job that the team was on probation.

Buzzard,

Thanks for clearing the air on your expectations. When Saban accepted the big money all I heard from the Bama base was a BCSNC was coming in 5 years just like Saban produced at LSU. You seem to have realistic expectations.

Shula didnt even go to Mobile, the most talent rich area in the state.

Literally, he went there like once every two years.

Honestly, it didn't matter if Shula was recruiting with or without sanctions. He was very very passive when it come to recruiting, internal control of the team and I could go on until I vomited on myself. Shula was a very passive individual and it showed throughout his staff and his team. You could have put Julio Jones being Mike Shula's neighbor and we'd lost him.