Nick Saban Names Top 10 College Football Program That Was ‘Exposed’ In Week 2

Nick Saban is brutally honest when it comes to evaluating college football programs. Now with ESPN after retiring from leading the Alabama Crimson Tide following the 2023 season, Saban isn't holding back from sharing his thoughts on the nature of the sport, even when it comes to his former team in Tuscaloosa.

Led by former Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer and almost an entirely new staff, the Crimson Tide entered the season as the No. 5 team in the country. After taking care of Western Kentucky 63-0 in the season opener, USF came to Tuscaloosa for a rematch of a 17-3 win by the Tide in 2023.

Alabama, now No. 4,  was a 33.5-point favorite entering the Week 2 matchup against the Bulls. But through three quarters, USF was within one point in a 14-13 game. The Crimson Tide lost three fumbles and allowed four sacks up to that point, certainly not evident of a top team in the country.

Even though Saban was present in Bryant-Denny Stadium for the introduction of Saban Field, he still took noticed of how Alabama was "exposed" on the field.

The Alabama offense was not at full strength up front, the key issue, according to Saban. He does expect that to change moving forward, though.

"Alabama, I’m not making excuses for them, but they didn’t have either tackle playing in the game last week," he said on "The Pat McAfee Show." ..."And they got exposed… I think they get those guys back this week and learn something else about their team."

Starting tackles Kadyn Proctor and Elijah Pritchett missed the game due to injury, which forced redshirt freshman Wilkin Formby in at right tackle and Michigan State transfer Geno VanDeMark in at left guard with Tyler Booker moving to left tackle. Four sacks allowed aside, the group also committed six holding penalties, an illegal block in the back and two false starts.

The staff was attempting to rest Pritchett, who was dealing with a minor injury, until he was asked to come in late in the game. The group seemed to benefit nicely from the addition, and Alabama went on to score 28 points in the fourth quarter to secure a 42-16 win.

Entering Alabama's matchup at Wisconsin in Week 3, DeBoer announced that both Pritchett and Proctor are trending in the right direction to play on Saturday. It seems like the Tide's offensive line needs the pair if it wants to compete at its highest level.

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