Schultz: Saban is the real deal
Published 12:00 am Monday, September 21, 2009
SELMA — If University of Alabama football supporters want to win game, they’ve got the right coach, former Alabama center Roger Schultz told the Selma Quarterback Club on Monday.
Schultz hosts the radio show “In the Trenches” and a Mobile morning show.
He spoke to club at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center as a replacement for radio personality Scott Moore, the scheduled speaker.
Schultz played under three coaches from 1986-91 while at Alabama — Ray Perkins, Bill Curry and Gene Stallings. He said second-year coach Nick Saban is the real thing.
“We’ve got the coach,” Schultz said, adding this week’s game against Arkansas is the matchup Saban likes. “He’s a defensive coach, and (Arkansas coach Bobby) Petrino is an offensive coach.
“Saban thinks he will be able to run, and the Arkansas defense is terrible,” he said. “I think the score will be 42-17, Alabama.”
Schultz was on the Freshman All-SEC team and was All-SEC twice. He won the Pat Trammel and the Dwight Stephenson awards.
He also was named to Alabama 1990s All-Decade Team and the 50-year All-Iron Bowl Team.
On the reality show, “The World’s Biggest Loser,” he lost 199 pounds to finish second that season.
Schultz said the two surprising teams in the Southeast are Miami and Auburn.
As for this week’s Auburn opponent, Ball State: “Auburn should beat them the way Alabama beat North Texas” 53-7.
Schultz also said Ole Miss didn’t deserve the No. 4 national ranking, but the Rebels are playing with high expectations.
“It’s tough when you play with expectations,” Schultz said. “I’m not buying them right now, but we’ll see Thursday night.”
Ole Miss takes on Steve Spurrier’s South Carolina team on ESPN Thursday night.
Schultz also said he would like for Alabama and Auburn to both go undefeated until the Iron Bowl. Then he’d like to see Alabama and Florida in Atlanta for the SEC title.
The Quarterback Club will have former Auburn receiver Frank Sanders as its speaker next week.