Mad Hatter 2005-08 v. Les Miles 2009 - Present

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his first several seasons of foot-to-the-floor aggression

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Largely a myth. He went for it on fourth because he had a high percentage back who could pick those two yards up, and defenses that weren't quite what we've become used to. He was still very conservative in other aspects of the game.

2012 vs Bama featured some of Miles' most aggressive moments. His decision making is more a reflection of personnel, not years he's been on the job. If this year's OL is as dominant as projected, we'll see a lot of short yardage 4th down nods and people will say "DA HAT BACK BABY," but it will have just been a calculated risk that was favorable based on the percentages.

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Fake FG v. USC

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We've faked field goals since then.

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Byrd TD v. Auburn

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Wasn't that big of a gamble until Flynn took so long to get the snap.

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foot-to-the-floor aggression

Largely a myth

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Not really. Miles always beat the tar out bad teams in his first few years here. Somewhere, it started a trend where we would beat shitty SEC teams by 15 instead of 30 and even in some instances lose to them.

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Les Miles

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calculated

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Some would disagree with this assessment.

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Not really. Miles always beat the tar out bad teams in his first few years here. Somewhere, it started a trend where we would beat shitty SEC teams by 15 instead of 30 and even in some instances lose to them.

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I disagree. Some examples:

2005:
L Tennessee (5-6 record) 27-30
W Arkansas (4-7) 19-17

2006:
W Bama (6-7) 28-14
W Ole Miss (4-8) 23-20 OT

2007:
W Bama (7-6) 41-34
W South Carolina (6-6) 28-16
L Arkansas (8-5) 48-50 OT

In 2008, we lost 5 games so I won't list those losses.

I am a "Miles guy", but he has been pretty consistent over the years as far as playing down to lower level SEC competition 2-3 times a season.

The major change in Miles has been a shift from a little more Single Back/Shotgun 3-4 wr sets that Jimbo and Crowton ran to more I Formation 1-2 wr sets that we run now. We have incorporated each into our offenses throughout the Miles era, but have been much more I Formation the past couple of seasons.

Agree with others about Miles making the right calls and going for it on 4th and short when he should have. The problem is when Miles calls a fake punt, reverse on 4th down, onside kick, etc... and it works, people call him the Mad Hatter. When he calls one and it doesn't work, people call him an idiot.

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Saban changed it some

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I agree with everything you said except the above.

UAB?

Saban was worse than Miles when it came to playing down to bad competition. We have never lost to a non-AQ school under Miles.