TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nick Saban and Urban Meyer likely aren’t eager to advise their new coaching rival, Lane Kiffin, who will introduce himself as Tennessee’s new head coach this afternoon. But the testaments of Saban and Meyer, who will meet Saturday in one of the most anticipated SEC title games since its inception in 1992, should provide insight to Kiffin and hope to an anxious Tennessee fan base.

Continuing a decade-long trend, Florida and Alabama’s programs flourished in their second seasons under new coaches. Meyer won the 2006 national championship in his second year at Florida, quickly erasing the memories of a troubling first season. The Gators lost three times in Meyer’s first year, including a humbling loss to LSU that famously left the coach in tears at his post-game news conference. Meyer said his first recruiting class was “poor” because of the transition.

Alabama, in Saban’s second year, is undefeated and ranked No. 1 nationally entering Saturday’s game against Florida at the Georgia Dome. Criticized much of the year for their inability to dominate opponents, the Tide smashed Auburn 36-0 last Saturday and stuck their flag in the middle of the national championship discussion. The blowout occurred one year after Saban admitted his team was “out of sorts emotionally” in a loss to Auburn, which followed a loss to Louisiana-Monroe.

Saban said he made a “road map”, mostly philosophical, detailing the direction he wanted Alabama’s program to follow. He refused to deviate from his plan, even when some seniors resisted change and the Tide finished 7-6.

“The first year is tough. It’s difficult for the older players to adjust,” Saban said. “The second season, the juniors are more willing to buy in, make the change and change the culture and provide the leadership. Change is inevitable when you change staffs. The longer you have the guys in the program, the more opportunity you have to get the choices made the way you want to make them. That’s been a real key for us.”

Meyer echoed Saban’s sentiments, noting his stint at Utah. In Meyer’s second season there, the Utes finished undefeated.

“I think there’s a lot to that,” Meyer said. “It’s the whole culture. The players need to get used to you, and you need to understand the players. There’s usually schematic changes that takes a little while to get used to. Absolutely, that’s the truth. That’s real. You have that one-year period where you have to get everybody on the same page. But you also have to have the players to do it, and obviously Alabama does.”

Alabama’s players sounded like younger versions of Saban all season, which was not a noticeable trait a year ago. They did not breathe a word about the Gators until last Saturday despite the matchup appearing on their schedule for almost a month. They shrugged at hype and supposed expectations all season, choosing to concentrate on the next opponent.

The attitude was on display again Saturday night after Alabama dismantled Auburn. Yes, they acknowledged, Florida would be a big favorite (a 10-point favorite as of Sunday night). Yes, a massive amount of hype will accompany the game, the first 1 vs. 2 matchup — not including national championship games — since No. 1 Ohio State beat No. 2 Michigan in 2006.

And the Gators, with blowouts and high point totals and all that speed, certainly seem intimidating. Of course, quarterback John Parker Wilson simply shrugged.

“We’ve got to come out and do the same thing,” he said. “We’re not going to try to do anything different or bigger or flashy. Just play the football we’ve played.”

It’s a voice and a sentiment finally recognizable to Saban. Even if it took two years.

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