I have a vague memory of one of Lou's players saying something like this (my paraphrase):
Under Lou practice was the hardest part each week. As players we looked forward to the game as being the easiest part of our week.
With fewer scholarships, risks of injury, etc could one still coach like this today?
I heard one of his players refer to their practices as "bloody."
I assume they don't play 7 on 7 at Alabama practices either.
NCAA has also limited the number of hours to practice and the number of days to play in pads. None of this helps. Also, teams with less talent have figured out that the spread offense can even up the talent gap and have put a lot of pressure on defenses. Look at this week with Syracuse. We are all concerned with just two players, the QB and and outstanding WR. Nobody else. But that's enough.