Nick Saban Rips Alabama for Complacency, Arrogance in Shocking Loss to Vanderbilt

On ESPN College GameDay this morning Nick Saban called out his former team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, for their lackluster performance in last week's 40-35 loss at Vanderbilt.

Saban said, "I saw a little complacency, almost even arrogance, after the Georgia win. That creates a blatant disregard for doing what's right."

Alabama failed to prepare with the right mindset, the 7-time national champion explained. "You've got to respect every opponent."

"The thing I always preached to our team, it's all about what you do. It's all about how you prepare, and nothing that you've done in the past is ever going to impact what happens in the future."

"So that's just the learning experience you have to take with you to improve."

The telling factor in the Commodores' upending of the undefeated defending SEC Champions came in one stat, Saban continued. Vanderbilt converted 67% on third downs, 12-18.

"You cannot play anybody in the country and let them keep the ball that much."

From the Home Depot set, the Tide's most successful head coach issued a stern rebuke to his former players and the staff that replaced him. You wonder how close he is to getting more involved, even returning to the game to show them what they've failed to do.

For Ohio State at Oregon, it's a reminder to players and fans alike that it's what you bring to the game today that matters. Reputations, pass successes, star ratings and accolades don't matter at the whistle or in the fourth quarter.