Atlanta Showdown Part 7: Comparing Fisher-Saban, plus predictions
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In the final installment of our seven-part summer breakdown of the 2017 Florida State-Alabama game, we take a closer look at head coaches Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban -- how they're alike and different -- and also offer predictions for the game.
The video below features Ira Schoffel of Warchant.com and Kyle Henderson of BamaInsider.com; it is moderated by ESPN-Tallahassee's Jeff Cameron.
(Note: Be sure to watch the video below, and also the accompanying text below that.)
Here are the previous installments:
Part 1: Early overview
Part 2: FSU pass defense vs. Alabama air attack
Part 3: FSU defensive line vs. Alabama offensive line
Part 4: FSU passing game vs. Alabama secondary
Part 5: FSU offensive line vs. Alabama defensive line
Part 6: Francois vs. Hurts: A battle of dueling dual-threat QBs
Warchant.com On Jimbo Fisher
Jimbo Fisher has said many times that his coaching style was influenced heavily by both Nick Saban and Bobby Bowden, and those are certainly two great mentors for any young coach.
Bowden was celebrated during his career for his ability to relate to people -- players, recruits, recruits' families, etc. -- as well as his imagination as an offensive playcaller. Fisher has picked right up where Bowden left on as a recruiter, routinely hauling in top-five signing classes, and he used the Bowden offenses he played in and coached in (with Terry Bowden and Bobby Bowden) as a building block for the schemes he runs today.
As important as the Bowden influence has been for Fisher, the Saban impact is likely even greater. When it comes to the day-to-day running of his program -- and his long-term vision for FSU Football -- Fisher leans heavily upon the best practices that he and Saban developed during their years together at LSU. The similarities can be seen in everything from the sophisticated approach they use to evaluate recruits to their NFL-style approach to building systems and processes. Throughout his career, Saban has shown an impressive ability to meld old-school approaches with new-age technology, and Fisher is very much of the same mindset.
BamaInsider.com On Nick Saban
Alabama head coach Nick Saban has a record of 119-19 since taking over the Crimson Tide in 2007; he has led them to four national championships (2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015). Before he moved to Tuscaloosa, he won a national championship in 2003 as the head coach of LSU.
What continues to set Saban apart from the rest of college football is his drive to win, to be the best, and his program operates like a highly successful organization, where the little things have to be perfect in order for the greater good to achieve greatness. Saban already has a statue erected outside of Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, but it’s obvious he is aiming to win the most national championships in NCAA history. Currently, he has five. Paul "Bear" Bryant has six.
Game Prediction from Warchant's Ira Schoffel
Florida State very well could end up as one of the best teams in the country this season, and the Seminoles should have a great shot at returning to the College Football Playoff. But this season opener will be a tough spot for a team that will be working in so many new players on offense.
FSU's new wide receivers have the talent to be better than the ones they replaced. Same goes for these young offensive linemen. And even with the loss of Dalvin Cook to the NFL, the 'Noles have plenty of potential at running back. The question is whether all of these new faces can come together with QB Deondre Francois to have a sharp offensive performance in an opener against a Nick Saban-coached Alabama squad.
FSU's defense will give the 'Noles a chance here, but the question is whether the offense can give them enough support to pull off the win. If these two teams meet in the playoff, the story could be different. But right now, we'll give the edge to Alabama -- 27-24.
Game Prediction from BamaInsider's Kyle Henderson
Nick Saban is 10-0 in season openers as head coach of Alabama, and the early line has been set by Las Vegas with Alabama being a 5 1/2-point favorite. This game is gigantic for college football -- it could be the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 season opener in history -- and the difference will be Alabama’s defense. If Florida State does not get on the board early and Alabama controls the tempo, it will be Goodnight Seminoles in the ATLShowdown. -- Alabama 35, Florida State 17.
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