Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on during warm-ups prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Many media members think that the former Alabama football player Maurice Smith deal will leave a black eye on Coach Nick Saban, but I see it another way.

ICYMI: Is The Release Of Maurice Smith Setting A Dangerous Precedent?

I didn’t think Coach Nick Saban would give in on the Maurice Smith deal and I was wrong. After a night to sleep on it, I can see clearly the reasons why.

Cecil Hurt with The Tuscaloosa News was the first to break the news that Alabama football had granted Smith a full release to pursue a transfer with no limitations on where he goes.

Now, it’s left in the hands of the Southeastern Conference offices. I think Saban believed the conference office would speak up soon after everything concerning this got started, but they never did. He made the typical Nick Saban move. And no matter the outcome, the Alabama football head coach will come out smelling like a rose after it’s all over.

If the SEC office decides to turn down the waiver and not allow Smith to transfer to Georgia, turn around and look to see which college head coach had it pegged exactly right. Based on part of the statement from the SECthat Hurt posted with his article, I am led to believe that the waiver will not be granted. Here is part of that statement.

The SEC does not provide waivers of SEC rules absent circumstances that demonstrate a clear reason for granting an exception to those rules. Each waiver request is reviewed on a case by case basis.

Now if the SEC decides to go against their rules, that will mean only one thing. You’ve just given the greatest recruiter in the nation a license to go after any graduate transfer that he wants or ones that he missed coming out of high school. I’m sure there will be some unreal athletes that are tired of going 6-6 during the season and after they graduate, may want to play for a team that is capable of winning a national championship.

Every move Saban makes is calculated. It’s not guessing. There’s no difference in this one, either. No matter the final decision, the Alabama football coach comes out like the winner that he is.