************************************************************************************************************
Saban's Radio Show
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban brought us a little humor during his coaches radio show last night in addition to valuable insight into the contest between Alabama and LSU football for tomorrow night's 7 p.m. game in Tuscaloosa.
Of course the college football polls/rankings were part of the discussion. You have the Tide ranked at No. 7 in both major polls, and then the addition of the College Football Playoff poll which show the Tide at No. 4. Of course, it's the top 4 in the CFP Poll that makes it into the post-season playoffs for the national championship. Saban has emphasized, especially lately, that too much of the college football season remains for the polls to actually mean anything. Each week brings changes somewhere in the top 25 teams, even if the top spots don't change. He did say, however, that it's nice that the selection committee does think highly of Alabama.
Ms. Terry, as many call her (Nick's wife), did receive a very nice applause when answering a question about the Saban's home life. And Nick got some chuckles with "the mug" comment. Seems there are a couple of prominent coffee mugs in the Saban household. Nick says his mug says "Mr. Right" on it, and his wife's mugs says, "Mrs. Always Right."
Coach was complimentary of his assistants last night. Saban says he thinks the coaches have done a good job this week in the preparation of the players for the game Saturday night. And he commented that "hopefully" that shows in the game Saturday.
Concerning the offensive line, Saban did say they've had their problems through the first eight games of the season. He said he was disappointed with the number of negative plays, and of late there have been quite a few. He is also very disappointed in the penalties on both sides of the ball, but with more crucial ones coming from the offense.
Looking at the game itself and Leonard Fournette in particular, Saban says that tackling will be really important in this game. Everyone has seen the highlights of teams trying to bring Fournette down with arm tackles, or tackling too high or overall poor technique. He will have to wrapped up in that he leads the SEC in yards per game gained after first contact.
Saban says that LSU quarterback Brandon Harris has really improved. He said Harris is an athlete with a strong arm, making a lot of big plays after using his legs to extend plays. He will have to be watched for sure, and wrapped up to bring him down.
Again, when going back to the offense, Saban said the this team has made more mental mistakes than many of the Alabama teams from past years, but some of these mental errors on offense may be due to inexperience. After all, the Tide has replaced all but two starters from last season's offense.
The show then turned to the topic of running back Derrick Henry. Saban was complimentary as usual of his great running back, saying that Henry is as good of a person as Alabama has on its team and cares about the team as more or even more than any of the other Tide players.
Concerning the three players injured in the Tennessee game, Saban said that safety Eddie Jackson (knee) has been practicing all week. He also said that right tackle Dominick Jackson (ankle) and safety Ronnie Harrison (ankle) have been practicing "more and more" as the week progressed. He later said that he's really not sure how much, if at all, Dominick will be able to play tomorrow night. Saban said a decision will be made during the warmups on Saturday as to his game availability. Dominick is suffering from a high ankle sprain.
Saban's comment concerning special teams referenced the history of close games in the series (and other aspects of the game). He said, "I think special teams will be really, really critical in this game."
Physical. That's what Saban had to say about Alabama-LSU football games, and that Alabama players need to be prepared to play their most physical game of the season.
And concerning Saban's tirades or "fits" during the games, the coach said that he doesn't like getting angry or throwing the fits, but that "sometimes it just happens."
Alabama and LSU do battle tomorrow night in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide owns the series 49-25-5, and has most recently won four consecutive games. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the CBS Network.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Practice Before Saturday's UA-LSU Matchup
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Yesterday afternoon marked the final football practice of the week for the Alabama Crimson Tide in preparation for the 4th-ranked LSU Tigers. Bama worked out for about 90 minutes in shells on Thursday inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. Yesterday's practice focused on special teams and getting the game plan down for tomorrow.
This will be the 80th meeting between the two SEC West rivals. Bama leads the series which began back in 1895 by a 49-25-5 margin. Alabama has won the last four games in a row, dating back to the 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Game time for this Saturday is 7 p.m. CT on the CBS Network. On the call live from Bryant-Denny Stadium will be Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce. This will be the third consecutive Alabama game carried by CBS, and the fourth overall this season.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bama Basketball Hosts Trevecca Nazarene Tonight
The 2015-16 edition of the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team opens its season with an exhibition game at Coleman Coliseum tonight again the Trevecca Nazarene Trojans. This is Bama's only exhibition game of the season and is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. CT.
Tonight will be the college coaching debut for Alabama head coach Avery Johnson, who coached for more than seven seasons in the NBA, posting a 254-186 (.577) slate.
Seven of the Tide's 12 players are either freshman or sophomores, so Bama will indeed be young. Two players, Nick King and Avery Johnson, Jr. must sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules.
The Crimson Tide returns six lettermen and three starters from last year's 19-15 team. While they didn't make the NCAA Tournament, they did reach the second round of the NIT.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
