Saban, Miles playing down coach vs. coach matchup

TUSCALOOSA — Three years ago, after Les Miles took the LSU job, he talked with Nick Saban.

Saban, then the new coach with the Miami Dolphins, provided Miles with information about his former squad — who they were going to redshirt, who they targeted in recruiting and what to expect in Baton Rouge.

“(He) told me several occasions, any questions, any time I can help, please call,” Miles said. “We spoke a couple of times after he left, and every time, he has been very responsive of LSU’s needs there.”

Well, those conversations have been put on hold recently, and probably permanently. Saban’s return to the college game with Alabama has changed this relationship and put Miles on the offensive toward his predecessor.

Earlier this year, at a rally on national signing day, Miles used an expletive to describe a “new rival” in Alabama.

Miles also criticized negative recruiting tactics during the 2007 high school haul, though never mentioning Alabama by name.

Throughout this week leading up to Saturday’s Tide-LSU matchup, both coaches have been careful to not pour more gasoline on the fire. Both have made sure to laud each other when the opportunity arrived.

In his news conference Monday, Saban called Miles an “outstanding coach.” He also deflected the question when asked whether he felt like he still has “ownership” of the LSU program.

“I think the players go to LSU because it’s LSU,” Saban said.

Miles has sounded similar this week.

“I appreciate coach (Nick) Saban’s past and his passing through Louisiana,” Miles said.

“Certainly, I respect what he was able to accomplish here. We look to go forward from there.”

Added Miles later, “They are not his players or our players. They are LSU’s players.”

While both coaches have said repeatedly that the game is about the players, it’s tough to believe them. But the players on both teams will be the ones on the field come Saturday, not the coaches.

Here are the issues surrounding Alabama’s players as the No. 3 Tigers (7-1, 4-1 SEC) face No.17 Alabama (6-2, 4-1):

Don’t believe the hype: Or maybe believe it. This could be one of those win-one-for-the-coach type games.

Saban was coy when asked about that earlier in the week, saying, “Well, they’ve never done that. And I would not want them to do that.”

But it could pump up his team. LSU has plenty of motivation, as some of the players will be looking to beat the guy who recruited them and then left.

Saban does a good job of keeping his players on an even keel. During Alabama-Tennessee week, the Tide didn’t blare Rocky Top all over the place or add orange tackling dummies in practice. Alabama won 41-17.

This game is more than just a rivalry, though, and the players should know that.

Handle the big man: It’s not often you hear about a school promoting a defensive tackle as a Heisman candidate.

That has to be one of the least glorified positions in football, but LSU’s Glenn Dorsey is a rare exception. He’s strong and football savvy, and even at 6-foot-2, 299 pounds, he can be classified as quick.

The Crimson Tide must find a way to block Dorsey. With Marlon Davis and Antoine Caldwell likely out because of suspensions in the ongoing textbook probe, the Crimson Tide will rely on the same group that stuffed Tennessee.

Alabama’s hope is that Dorsey is not 100 percent after he injured his knee against Auburn.

“He’s a beast,” Tide left guard Justin Britt said.

Control your destiny: A win means that the Crimson Tide has an inside track to the SEC Championship Game. Forget the Saban vs. Miles soap opera, a victory equals an easier road to Atlanta.

LSU at Alabama

Saturday
4 p.m., WHNT-19