I am in total agreement with sitting a guy who may have more experience in favor of a guy who is more coachable or who will contribute more down the road. Of course, when the inexperienced but talented player makes a key mistake, everyone will yell and scream and say "why isn't the senior playing in that situation?".
This is still a process, and that's not just coach-speak or excuses. People, we've been in some close games over the last few years with teams who've won national titles. But in the end, the gap was pretty wide with regard to team strength overall, from top down of the roster. It's a shame that the program has to come from so far to get back to prominance, but I think Bama fans are also changing, and becoming more patient with a proven leader and winner. I for one will give Nick Saban all the time in the world before calling for his head, as long as we see continual progress, and we will.