Steve Sarkisian has climbed the teaching mountain — once more. It was five years in the past that Sark was fired at USC after not exhibiting up for apply. A number of Trojan’s gamers advised the Los Angeles Every day {News} they smelled alcohol on his breath. That began a collection of occasions that impacts school soccer in the present day.
Clay Helton turned the interim coach that season and was given the everlasting gig after going 5-4. In 4 full seasons at USC, Helton has received a Pac-12 title and led the Trojans to 2 New 12 months’ Six Bowls.
In the meantime, Sark slipped from the highlight. He went for a keep in rehab and remade each of his private {and professional} lives. However, lower than a yr after being fired, he was employed in September 2016 to be an Alabama analyst. That started a comeback now because of the anticipated designated on-field head coach Saturday within the Iron Bowl.
For the season’s second time, Sarkisian has been named to steer the group after Nick Saban examined constructive for COVID-19. Sark’s first likelihood was scuttled earlier than the Georgia recreation when Saban was capable of return as a result of it turned out his check was a false constructive. This time it is for actual after Saban skilled COVID-19 signs earlier than a PCR check confirmed a constructive end result.
The Iron Bowl is nearly extra about Sarkisian’s large second likelihood than Saban’s absence. The sensation is that the No. 1 Crimson Tide are in good fingers towards No. 22 Auburn. Sark will name his offense as regular. He’ll simply have a pair of extra choices to make. Maybe, by the point the ultimate whistle sounds, his remade profession will look robust sufficient for main a group to once more be a risk.
“Based mostly on the physique of labor when it comes to what our offense has been capable of accomplishing final yr and this yr, nobody may argue he is finished an improbable job,” Saban stated. “The physique of labor actually speaks for itself.”
In case you don’t know, Sarkisian has been behind Alabama offense’s most recent historical transformation. In 2016, he stepped up as the offensive coordinator on quick discovery after Lane Kiffin’s hasty departure for FAU. Alabama misplaced that School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship within the last seconds to Clemson; however, Sark referred to it as an improbable recreation that evening.
Since then, Sarkisian returned to the NFL as Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator (2017-18) earlier than coming again to Alabama in 2019. He oversaw not solely the final season of Tua Tagovailoa however the transition to Mac Jones.
“He was a very good coach earlier than, has solely gotten higher and grown with the expertise he acquired from being with the Falcons for two years and being with Nick,” stated NFL agent Devin Bonik. “Steve earned respect from Matt Ryan early on, and that is not at all times simple to do as a school coach coming in.”
Predictably, Sarkisian’s title has begun popping up for job openings, particularly final yr at Colorado. If Arizona makes a transfer with Kevin Sumlin, a West Coast man like Sark would seemingly be a high candidate. He comes remade and repackaged as a head coach, having gone 46-35 at Washington and USC.
At first of this century, Sarkisian was one of many younger weapons at USC serving a mixed seven years underneath Pete Carroll and being part of the 2003 nationwide championship at age 29.
Underneath the brand new Sark, the Bama offense has by no means been higher. There may be an ongoing FBS document of 20 straight video games the group has scored not less than 35 factors. If the present 49. Four factors per common recreation hold it might be the third straight season Alabama has set the college scoring document.
Even with the lack of receiver Jaylen Waddle, Jones continues to be a Heisman Trophy candidate because of the SEC’s highest-rated passer. Najee Harris leads the convention in common yards, dashing, and touchdowns.
All that after Sarkisian underwent a coronary heart process within the final offseason. Not dangerous for a man whose profession regarded wrecked five years in the past.
Shootout forward on Black Friday?
Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea may get his largest problem of the season Friday at No. 19 North Carolina. The Tar Heels have the ACC’s greatest offense (60 yards per recreation higher than Clemson at 563.Four yards!). Greater than that, Mack Brown’s unit is extra balanced than Clemson with the 1-2 punch at tailback — Javante Williams and Michael Carter.
The magic quantity for the winner appears to 30-35 factors. North Carolina ought to be capable of attaining that simply. No. 2 Notre Dame on the street this yr has averaged 40. Three factors, the best in not less than 11 years. Lea’s high ten protection has given up greater than 26 factors as soon as, within the 47-40 double additional time win over Clemson.
By the best way, count on Lea’s title to come back up at Vanderbilt if Derek Mason is not retained.
All the pieces else in Week 13
Historic Cyclone(s): No. 13 Iowa State (6-2) cannot fairly clinch a spot within the Huge 12 Championship Sport with a win over No. 17 Texas on Friday. There may be nonetheless a situation during which a three-way tie for the second would go away the Cyclones out. Iowa State has not received an outright convention championship since 1912.
Keep in mind, Clemson? Trevor Lawrence returns to the sector for the primary time in 5 weeks when Pittsburgh visits the No. Three Tigers. The first order of enterprise: getting the operating recreation going. Since Lawrence went down with COVID-19, Clemson has averaged 2.18 yards per rush. Over a full season, that will look at present rank second-worst within the nation.
Duck! Oregon State is now not a stroll over for No. 15 Oregon in what was referred to as the Civil Struggle. The Beavers had the Pac-12’s offensive participant of the week, Jermar Jefferson — an extremely underrated again who ran for 196 yards towards The Beavers have the intangible which will work. They’ve blocked two of the opponents’ 12 punts this season. The groups have dropped the “Civil Struggle” label over its hyperlink to slavery in the best way.
Egg Bowl flashback: A yr has handed since Elijah Moore triggered one of many largest butterfly results in the history of school soccer. It was Moore, the Ole Miss extensive receiver, whose dog-at-a-fire-hydrant imitation led to a private foul penalty that pushed the game-tying additional level again late in final yr’s Mississippi State recreation. Predictably, the kick was missed. That triggered a cascading string of occasions that led to Matt Luke’s firing, Lane Kiffin’s hiring, and a corresponding transfer by Mississippi State. It removed Joe Moorhead and changed him with Mike Leach. How’s this for a comeback? Moore leads the nation in catches (74) and yards (1,054).
Northwestern cakewalk: It is not too early to counsel No. eight Northwestern (5-0) ought to be capable of skate to the Huge Ten West title. The Wildcats already personal wins over the three groups instantly beneath them within the standings (Iowa, Purdue, Wisconsin). They end the season towards Michigan State (Saturday), Illinois, and Minnesota, whose mixed document is 5-9.
Tulsa pity: Philip Montgomery’s program deserves some form of award for diligence and endurance on the season’s finish. When its recreation towards Houston was postponed this week, the No. 25 Golden Hurricane misplaced their seventh recreation to postponement or cancellation. If it would not affect the AAC Championship Sport, the sport shall be made up on Dec. 19. At 5-0, Tulsa stays a half-game out of first within the AAC and on the monitor to play Cincinnati twice, as soon as within the common season and once more within the convention title recreation.
Turkey of the week: Penn State (0-5) at Michigan (2-3). Penn State’s worst group ever vs. protection that’s on tempo to be Michigan’s worst ever.
