re: Forcing FG's instead of TDs

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Serious question, why is this consistently a problem for Alabama. I mean this goes back to at least Leigh Tiffin. Is it 1) Saban truly does not give a shite about the kicker (which I find rather unbelievable considering how meticulous he is about every other thing/position) or 2) It is an inexplicable phenomenon

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My complete guess theory is that Alabama is a team (under Saban) that plays with a lot of external and internal pressure. When you are out there in the speed of the game knocking heads, making quick decisions, etc. this kind of pressure probably isn't a negative. A kicker is the one position that this kind of pressure can absolutely negatively affect. You are basically playing alone, isolated, and with plenty of time to stand there and think about the moment. Alabama's kickers, while they are skilled enough, haven't seemed to handle that pressure in the big moments. Pretty much every big kick the last 7 years has had a "championship season" in the balance type of feel to it.

Alabama has had plenty of success with the "kicks that don't matter" variety and has been abysmal on the crucial kicks. Shelley in the Bama/LSU BCSCG is the one exception I can think of.