Pod Pundit

What in the wide, wide world of sports has happened to Matt Hayes?

2. Nick Saban, Alabama

The greatest of the great. But what’s more startling: that Saban needed the transfer portal to fix holes at wide receiver, tailback, left tackle and cornerback? Or that he got 5 elite players to do so?

1. Kirby Smart, Georgia

Fight amongst yourselves about the moment (Smart) vs. the résumé (Saban), I’m taking the moment — in a sport that screams what have you done for me lately?

Shit, I don’t think I’m prepared to go there yet.

28 Comments

Filed under Media Punditry/Foibles

28 responses to “Pod Pundit

  1. I am willing to go there for today and especially the future. When Coach Oeaux won the title, no one thought what he had done was sustainable because those who did it (Aranda & Brady) got the hell out of Baton Rouge. Everyone is saying what Kirby has built is sustainable. He’s just getting started.

    I’ll admit I might pick Saban today if I had to win a game and my life depended on it, but Kirby and the Georgia program are the future.

    Liked by 7 people

  2. cowetadawg

    When I left you, I was but the learner. Now I am the master.

    Liked by 3 people

  3. 81Dog

    Nick deserves to be 1, based on history and current production. But Kirby is certainly in the discussion. The Gumps are a little anxious now that Kirby got over the Gump, errr, hump for a NC. But if he does it again, they’ll be in panic mode. Here’s hoping!

    Liked by 4 people

    • W Cobb Dawg

      “But if he does it again, they’ll be in panic mode.”

      I think it’ll be full meltdown. All one needs to do is play back some of saban’s own statements after the game, about aTm, and rebuilding year, to show panic mode is already settled in.

      Liked by 1 person

      • 81Dog

        You know what they say: anxiety is the first time you can’t do it the second time. Panic is the second time you can’t do it the first time. That’s close enough of a comparison for even the Gumps to understand. 🙂

        Like

  4. Derek

    How can a guy who lost the biggest game of the year to a former walk on qb be considered #2?

    Liked by 9 people

    • RangerRuss

      I used to drive down a dirt road on the way to a job. From an old single wide a pack of skinny mutts would come barreling out, chasing, yapping, and getting in front of the truck following their leader. It was a big, white shepherd. I’d slow down because they’re dogs, right? They got nothing else but chasing cars. Let ‘em be entertained. I’d blow the horn and scream at ‘em to no avail.
      I was in a hurry one afternoon and didn’t slow down. I ran over the leader unintentionally. The shepherd rolled in the ditch screaming and crying. Through the rear view I watched the pack abandon the chase and turn on that bitch. They tore into her like hyenas on a zebra. It was brutal. After that when I’d drive by I’d holler at the mutts and they’d scamper back to the trailer.
      I’m thinking we might see something similar in Tuscaloosa after the Dawgs spank that Tide ass a couple more time.

      Like

      • Derek

        I could have gone all day without any of that imagery.

        Liked by 1 person

        • RangerRuss

          That didn’t bother me none. Dogs being dogs. Why you think they’re called animals?
          The Bammers will turn on Saban when he starts losing. Most of the Tide fans are a couple weeks without power from turning feral anyhow.

          Liked by 2 people

  5. biggusrickus

    Is Tyler Steen elite? Did I miss something?

    Like

  6. Hope Saban doesn’t read this, I’d hate to hear another diatribe about unfair recruiting or rebuilding years…ole Captn thinskin ain’t what he used to be

    Liked by 2 people

  7. archiecreek

    Click bait!!
    But what the hell, maybeee we can beat them twice this year!…

    Liked by 4 people

    • Down Island Way

      Exactly what this dude is performing, he’s noticed there is more click to taking the other side, why not SBIV, why not CKS, why not UGA football “D” being better than last year…there’s click’s in them thar hills…

      Liked by 1 person

    • Bulldawg Bill

      Arch, I can live with beating them once a year, as long as it’s the second time!!!

      Like

  8. Historians will note the loss of generals Metchie & Williams was when the war turned. Stetson will make a fine President.

    Liked by 3 people

  9. godawgs1701

    Kirby and his staff outcoached Saban and his staff in the first half of the 2017 national title game and for stretches of the second half but ended up on the short end of the stick. In terms of coaching, I think you can say they also stood toe to toe with Saban and Co. in the 2018 SEC Championship Game. We got our asses handed to us in Tuscaloosa in 2019, though, and things weren’t pretty in the 2021 SEC Championship. But man, were they beautiful in Indy. Head to head, Kirby has nothing to be ashamed of against Saban. Now, is he the best coach in the country? I… hesitate at that.

    Like

    • Derek

      Win the SEC in 2022 and the answer is “yes” ain’t it?

      Like

      • godawgs1701

        Nick Saban’s the greatest of all time. There came a point where Michael Jordan was no longer the best in the game but I don’t know if it came the first time he lost a game. But talk radio debates and ranking lists are generally a waste of time – I am very happy Kirby Smart is Georgia’s coach.

        Like

  10. Ran A

    LOL… Click bait… I still think Saban gets the nod because of his over-all body of work; but that worm has started to turn. All you have to do is pay attention to the yipping coming out of the Bama crowd. They are afraid of what Kirby is doing and they should be.

    Like

  11. Corch Irvin Meyers, Former Jags Corch (2021)

    It’s a trap!!!

    Seriously though, he’s just trolling for clicks.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. timberridgedawg

    While the king was looking down, the jester stole his thorny crown.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Nope. Love Kirby & he may well become the greatest. IMO there has never been a coach as successful & consistent as Saban. Makes my mouth taste sour just saying that.

    Like

  14. Tony BarnFart

    Saban is #1 but Kirby is the most valuable.

    I really do wonder how long Saban coaches. In 2022, 70yrs old and healthy is a person with quite a bit of miles left. If he does another decade at the top of the sport, my brain may explode. I think he’s all but admitted that he’s a “work is my hobby” kinda guy. I bet he hates vacation.

    Like

  15. originaluglydawg

    Things are always in flux.
    Last year’s teams performances suggests Kirby may have moved ahead.
    And I said “suggests” not “proves”.
    Last year, Saban lost to TAM, almost to Florida and had to thank Tank that he didn’t lose to Auburn. How in the hell he pulled off that big win over UGA in Atlanta is still a mystery to me. ..but it was corrected in Indy.
    But the SECCG….Was it really the flu? Was it Lanning’s distraction over the Oregon job? Was is that Kirby didn’t really GAS and was setting Bama up for the Natty game? I want to know. Or was it just a game where Bama was better than Georgia by that much on that particular day???

    Like