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Nick Saban’s record against Heisman Trophy winners suggests Alabama could be in trouble vs. Oklahoma
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We already know that Alabama will enter the upcoming College Football Playoff semifinal as a big favorite over Big 12 Championship Oklahoma, the Crimson Tide are currently listed as a two-touchdown favorite in the game, but there’s one historical fact that may cause you to second guess how favored Nick Saban’s team should be heading into the Orange Bowl.
In an interesting stat, college football’s best coach actually has a very poor record while competing against players that have won the Heisman Trophy, in the season that they won the honor.
To be fair, however, beating one of Saban’s teams has certainly helped — if not outright won — the Heisman Trophy for at least two of these players.
According to the SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic, Saban is 0-2 in his career against players that have won the Heisman Trophy in the same season. Saban did beat Johnny Manziel in 2013 but that was the season after the Texas A&M quarterback won the award.
Interestingly enough, Saban is 1-4 all-time during his entire college coaching career coaching against players that have won the Heisman Trophy in the same season that he faced them.
If nothing else, that may give you some slight hesitation regarding Alabama’s chances in the upcoming Orange Bowl.
Nick Saban is 0-2 vs @HeismanTrophy winners the season they won the award as the Alabama Head Coach.
*Cam Newton 2010
*Johnny Manziel 2012He is 1-4 all time;
-Beat Jason White in 2003 (LSU)
-Lost to Charles Woodson in 1997 (MSU)
-Lost to Ron Dayne in 1999 (MSU)— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) December 9, 2018
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
