** This thread discusses the Content article: The Meyer v. Saban Debate **

I posted this article on some other message board and really liked these responses:

By RTR 65

Saban rebuilt MSU from nothing in a state where MSU is a huge underdog when recruiting against UM. He created the monster that is LSU football that Less miles is currently killing slowly. He is way ahead of schedule at Bama w/ mostly recruits from a losing coach who had losing attitudes. He is a great coach. So is Urban Meyer. They are the two best in the SEC without a doubt. I would feel lucky to have either of them as my HC.

RTR
Big Al

By jandk

I think most on here will agree that they would not mind having either one as their coach. Both coaches have proven many times at a few different schools what they can do.

And I believe both have a pair of BCS Bowl Wins including MNC'S to boot. Not to mention many other bowl wins and numerous conference titles.

Both Saban and Meyer have both done some pretty significant things as far as building 2nd and 3rd tier teams and getting them to national prominence.

Like someone stated above what Saban did at MSU was pretty impressive considering who he was up against. He made MSU respectable. Same for Saban at LSU. He built LSU into a national power that has dominated The SEC and the rest of the country the last few years.

And then there is Meyer. He took a Bowling Green team and actually made them a team that people knew existed. Winning a conference title and a bowl game or two while there. And because of that Bowling Green stayed successful in The Mac up until the last two years. And we all know what he did at Utah. They still are smelling and capitalizing on success from his accomplishments there.

Although they both bring their own philosophies and systems to the game; they both demand- and get - the most out of their players. On and off the field.

Then there is the recruiting. They are the two of the- if not THE - top recruiters in the country. You can see from results on the field that they spend every minute of every possible second getting the best players that beast fit their system to come to their respected universities.

Above all though there is my favorite trait about the two. Their arrogance. They will both tell you that they don't give a crap what anybody thinks or feels about them while at the same time continuing to do what they do. And I love it.

The one thing that does bother me about both Saban and Meyer is this: NEITHER IS A CAREER GUY.

Not saying that is a bad thing. Because I would love to be able to do a job, get everything that I know I can out of it, and then be able to go to a better place and start all over again. I would love the challenge; as I am sure they do.

Saban went from 3rd tier MSU, 2nd tier LSU, then to 1rst tier Alabama. Not to mention a stop in the NFL as well. And every time he went somewhere he raised the bar and moved on. (Except at Miami. But I am talking college here.)

Urban had Bowling Green, Utah and now Florida to increase his riches. Same as Saban, Urban raised the bar of the school. Now there is talk of him moving to one of- if not THE - most prestigious schools in the country in Notre Dame. Not to mention he stated that it is his "dream" job.

I love coaches who want to stay at a school for as long as they are wanted there. I am not saying that Saban and Urban weren't wanted at the end of their tenures at their former schools; but I like coaches who stay. Guys like Bobby Bowden and Joesph Paterno.

But then again I also wouldn't trade either one for the world if given the chance of having one of them. And luckily I got that.

I wasn't meaning to put down Saban. I hope no one took it that way. I think they are 1 and 1a of college coaches, I've previously written about my feelings toward Pete Carroll.

It is a tough argument.

And the Notre Dame thing is ridiculous. Urban had a chance to go there 4 years ago, and passed. How are they in any better shape now? If he wins another title here, he will never be run out of town for sure (not sure he everwould be as it is now, considering he definitely has the support of the president, but see Fulmer, Phil). At Notre Dame, I think they are rapidly becoming irrelevant, and I couldn't be happier about it. It's a tougher situation there than the one he passed up 4 years ago. I've stated I'm much more worried about the NFL than I am ND.

All that to say, they are both incredible coaches, which is why it's a question worth asking. And I chose Meyer for two reasons: 1) he's our coach and 2) I can make an agrument for Meyer over Saban, but not yet for Saban over Meyer.

The other point is, we should see where these guys are in another 5 years, but I think it's safe to say they are the two best coaches in the NCAA right now.

I think Meyer's history is slightly stronger. But I think we should focus on what's coming up right now. After the battle there will be plenty to say.

We are going to have to make them 1-dimensional. We'll need to take advantage of turnovers. And we'll have to score more points than the other team to win this one.

viking wrote:

QUOTE:
And we'll have to score more points than the other team to win this one.

Thank you John Madden, thank you...

You forgot 'we need to control the line of scrimmage'... there have been multiple articles stating this so far this week.

And we need to control the line of scrimmage.