Alabama football fans were calling for Nick Saban’s head on Tide message boards

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban on the sideline against the Miami Hurricanes during the first high at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban on the sideline against the Miami Hurricanes during the first high at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Alabama Crimson Tide survived against Florida, but for fans that aren’t used to even playing in close games, Tuscaloosa expects more.

Everyone laughed at Nick Saban for suggesting a reckoning was coming after the Tide defeated lowly Mercer by the final score of 48-14, but it turns out he was right.

Who knew that so-called reckoning would come the very next week?

Alabama is the most talented team and the SEC, and likely the country. No one is denying that they deserve to be the No. 1-ranked team in both the AP Poll and, assuming they don’t lose, the first College Football Playoff rankings when they’re eventually released. But Alabama’s performance against Florida in The Swamp was hardly perfect.

Some Alabama fans — we would argue the spoiled ones — had an issue with the way Saban’s team played. So who deserved the blame? It turns out, Saban himself should have the finger pointed his way.

Alabama football: Crimson Tide fans not satisfied with win against Gators

Florida played Alabama tough, with quarterback Emory Jones playing a major role in a narrow two-point Crimson Tide win. Credit should go where it’s due, as Dan Mullen devised a great offensive scheme built to Jones’ strengths, just as he did when he came oh so close to beating Alabama when he was head coach at Mississippi State.

Better the blame go to the coaching staff, who are paid millions of dollars to build up a near-flawless roster on a weekly basis, than the players. But one would think Bama fans would have a little more respect for a man who has won them six National Championships in just 15 years in charge, and could very well be on his way to another.

Safe to say expectations are high in Tuscaloosa.

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