re: Could we even beat Bama this year? Given the chance?

Very few coaches/teams will consistently beat a Nick Saban coached team! Yes, occassionally, Saban's teams will get out coached and out played, however, Saban is one of the best (it kills me to admit that) and as long as he is at Bama, LSU will be second fiddle in the SEC West.

Saban is not a person many would like as a friend, however, he gets the job done. He has no love for Bama, LSU or Michigan State. He is about building programs that HE controls and in today's money hungry world of college football, he will reign supreme until HE chooses not to.

Erect all the statues and give all the accolades you wish, however, my advice to the powers that be, save your money. Nick will have you winning, but when he's gone, the world will have forgotten he ever existed.