The Fine Line of Arrogance!

  Arrogance....often a term understood as a negative connotation.  But I would argue it's a necessary ingredient of any Champion.  Don't agree??? All you have to do is look at any past or current champion and I guarantee you all of them are arrogant to a certain extent!  Micheal Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lebron James, and yes..even the walking Bible...Timmy Tebow!  When all things are equal...Arrogance is what separates a Champion from a loser!  Everyone who despises Arrogance..well...is probably a loser.  But at the same time Arrogance can turn on a champion when not managed properly and usually at some point does.

   Nick Saban...either you love him or hate him...why???-Arrogance!  Easily one of the most polarizing coaches in the country, why....because he wins and is a Champion...period!  No one hates a loser!  The Arrogance of both Nick Saban and the Alabama program is what makes it the most dominant program in the nation and virtually unbeatable!  But every now and then that same Arrogance can turn around and bite you...the case this weekend vs Johnny Football and the A&M Aggies.

   There are a thousand reasons to point to why Alabama loss this weekend, from turnovers to play calling...but in the end it came down to one thing...Arrogance!  The same nasty word that makes Saban and the Crimson Tide the dominant force in the college football landscape today!  It has nothing to do with believing as a team you are better than the other team...that's a necessary component.  What it really comes down to are decisions...decisions...decisions that have third and fourth order effects.

   Klees..what the hell are you talking about???  I'll tell you..be patient!  Many will mistakenly look to the defense as the weak chink in the Bama armor this year...when in reality it is the depth at QB.  Certainly the Bama D is not as dominate as in years past but make no mistake..they ain't bad either!!  The real issue the past two weeks has been AJ McCarron.  His inaccuracy has led to quick three and outs that benefited both LSU and A&M.  Some might say it's because he finally played a tough opponent...but stats would prove different.  Also I would challenge anybody to watch the footage and show me where he was pressured into bad throws.  Despite popular belief the O line did a great job in protecting McCarron in the both games..he was virtually untouched..but still missed on key throws..that led to LSU possessing the ball and A&M jumping out to a quick lead.  So what led to McCarron's inaccuracy the past two week??? Arrogance!

   Nick Saban has been overwhelmingly successful due to his machine like process that dictates a daily regimen to be your best at all times.  This same process doesn't focus on individual accolades but rather individual responsibility to a greater good.  Early in the 4th qtr vs Miss St ..Bama had the game well in hand but still McCarron led the charge..why??  Certainly it would seem logical to get McCarron out of the game and develop depth at a key position that was the achilles heel for this team.  Instead Saban uncharacteristically went against the process and kept McCarron in the game which exposed to a big hit and a deep back bruise that led to him leaving the game.  So why would Saban expose a potential weakness and put not only McCarron..but his team at risk during a critical juncture in the season.....Arrogance!!  Some would argue the same Arrogance that caused him to not put the game into TJ Yeldon's hands on the goal line after fumbling the ball earlier in the game. 

   The question going forward for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide is can they rediscover the formula that allows Arrogance to be the key ingredient to another Championship season!