One main difference between this coaching regime and the last is that this one actually puts together a game plan to try to expose the other teams weaknesses and to avoid pitfalls of the past. It's well documented how Mawae has dominated Thomas. I can promise you Saban is all over this. He saw what Zach can do last week when he's free to roam. Wanny, Bates and company always went into each game as "vanilla" as could be, thinking they'll be all right based on the talent they have. I was more furious about our lack of using the talent we had on defense during the Wanny era than I was frustrated with our lackluster offense.
That's a long reply, but bottom line, Saban will not let Mawae dominate Thomas on Sunday. Wanny & Bates let this happen every single time they played.
