TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Following a season-opening shutout over Utah State, No.1 Alabama (1-0) will hit the road this weekend as it takes on Texas (1-0) on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT inside Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium. Monday, Nick Saban spoke to the media before his team begins preparations for the Longhorns this week. Here’s a transcript of what he said as well as my take on what it means.
Opening statement
"I think we showed elements of Alabama football in terms of how physical we are the toughness, we played with the intensity that we had. For the most part, the discipline to execute was pretty good, especially early in the game. I think we need to get more players to be able to go and do those things in game situations and play winning football. But, the key is the measure of a team is what is your growth between Week 1 and Week 2, even though you had a pretty good start, can you build on that and make progress for the future because we're gonna need to do that playing against a really good opponent this week.
“[Steve Sarkisian] has done a really good job. They have a very good offensive coach. They've been in a great system and have a great scheme on offense. They've got some really good players on offense. [Bijan] Robinson is an outstanding running back. [Xavier] Worthy is a great receiver. Ewers is a very good quarterback. Great arm and is a very talented guy. They've got seven starters back on defense. They played much better last week on defense than maybe some of the times last year when people scored points on them. This is a very improved defensive team to me. They do a really good job on special teams, they play with great effort and blocked a punt last week. They make plays, Worthy has been a really good punt returner, he averages 15 yards or something on a punt return. They've got a lot of good players. They've got really good schemes, and it's gonna be a very challenging game for us."
Tony’s take: Saban started off his press conference by providing perhaps the biggest compliment he could give to his players. Alabama’s 55-0 victory over Utah state was a complete team performance, and if the team can continue to play to that standard, it should be a fun season for the Crimson Tide.
That being said, this week’s opponent is going to be a bit more difficult. Texas features one of the best offenses Alabama will face this season, led by two speedy playmakers in running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Xavier Worthy. The Longhorns also have former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian calling the shots and could certainly feature a few interesting wrinkles on offense. While it’s hard to judge off Texas’ 52-10 victory over Louisiana Monroe, Saban said he sees improvement from a Longhorns defense that ranked No. 99 in the nation last year, allowing 31.1 points per game.
In short, as impressive as Alabama was in its opener, it will need to be even better to experience the same success in its trip to the Lone Star State this weekend.
On the challenges in communication when playing on the road
"Well, it's the same that we've always done. We try to go in silent sometimes, we try to go into clap sometimes. We can't really use a cadence and those kinds of situations, so that's what you practice. We usually have some noise practices when we're playing on the road, which we will do at some point in time this week, later in the week, but it's always a challenge, especially on offense. For defensive players maybe not as much, but sometimes for defensive players, it's tougher at home because the crowd is yelling when the other team has the ball. This is a very challenging thing that we've always had to work on hard in the past and we'll continue to do it this week."
Tony’s take: Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium has a capacity of 100,119, and the decibel level can get pretty high when the team in burnt orange is performing well. However, Alabama’s trip to Texas won’t be much different than some of its stops in the SEC. Fans might be excited about seeing a game in a new venue, but this should be old-hat to Crimson Tide players.
On what he saw out of the running game against Utah State
"Inconsistent. Like I said, after the game, it was a big little. We made a couple of really explosive plays in the running game, but the down-in and down-out consistency to have positive runs and not having negative plays was not where we want it. It's something that we want to improve on, but I wasn't disappointed at all in the way we played. They did a lot of stunting and moving up front, which we sort of expected. We didn't always pick it up exactly right. Sometimes they were able to create some negative plays with it, so definitely need to work on those things."
Tony’s take: Outside of Bryce Young’s three big scrambles and a pair of long runs from Jahmyr Gibbs (58 yards) and Jamarion Miller (23 yards), Alabama didn’t generate too many highlights on the ground. That’s a bit disappointing, considering it was facing a Utah State defense that struggled to stop the run against lowly UConn the week before. Despite making improvements this offseason, Alabama’s offensive line is still a work in progress, and Saban will want to see the unit continue to improve moving forward.
On Texas running back Bijan Robinson
“He can do everything. He's got speed. He’s got power. He’s a very instinctive runner, sets up his blockers well, has a burst. And he’s got great hands, good receiver— they use him a lot in the passing game. So this guy is as good an all-around back as there probably is in the country, or certainly one of the best of all the guys in the country, and his production really shows that.”
Tony’s take: Robinson is arguably the most dangerous offensive player Alabama will face in the regular season. The 6-foot, 222-pound back ran for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns while pulling in 26 receptions for 295 yards and four more scores through the air last season. Alabama has struggled with pass-catching backs in the past and will need to be aware of where Robinson is on the field at all times Saturday.
On facing former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian
“We’ve seemed to play several teams now that kind of know us, but you act like we don't know them. So just because somebody knows you when they play you, doesn’t mean they’re going to beat you. And just because you know them when you play them, doesn't mean you're gonna beat ‘em either. It’s gonna come down to how you execute.
“But to think we’re gonna go change a lot of things that we do, that our players know how to do, that they do well, that they have confidence in—I don't think that's the answer when it comes to getting execution and having confidence in how you have to adjust in what you need to do.”
Tony’s take: While Sarkisian might have some inside knowledge on how to expose Alabama’s defense, Saban pointed out that he is also familiar with how to stop Sarkisian’s high-powered attack. Neither coach is going to change their game plan this week, so the matchup will come down to preparation. Saban tends to handle that better than anyone in the sport.
On the advantage of a running back who can catch passes
“I think that's what every offensive coach wants. You have five eligible receivers, and you want them to have to defend all five guys. I think tight ends and running backs are mismatched players because of the guys who end up guarding them most of the time. So when you have a guy that's outstanding, that can create those mismatches, that's a real advantage for you. So I think that's probably the greatest advantage of having a running back or running backs who are really good receivers and understand the passing game and can be used as targets in a lot of ways that puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”
Tony’s take: While Texas has a versatile playmaker in Robinson, Alabama also has a few backs capable of making plays both on the ground and in the passing game. Gibbs is regarded as one of the best pass-catching backs in the nation after recording 36 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns at Georgia Tech last year. Meanwhile, Jase McClellan flashed his hands last weekend, pulling in a pair of touchdown receptions against Utah State. Those two should be a big part of Alabama’s offense this season.
On what makes Sarkisian a good play caller
“Well, I think he's a very bright guy, very well organized. He did an outstanding job when he was here. He's got a good system. He understands defense. He likes to see what you're in if he can, so that he can run a play that's going to be an effective play against that particular look or give his players the best chance to be successful. I think all those things and a combination of those things and good preparation, make you a really, really good play caller.
“So he has a really good understanding of defense. He has a really good understanding of what he wants to do on offense against certain things on defense, and he tries to implement those in the game. Whether it’s formationally, using motions, adjustments, eye candy, whatever you want to call it to, to sort of get the look that he’d like to have and run that particular play against it.”
Tony’s take: Sarkisian is one of the best assistants Saban has had during his time at Alabama. The Crimson Tide ranked in the top 10 in total offense and scoring offense in both of Sarkisian’s seasons as offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020. The 2020 unit is regarded as one of the best attacks in college football history and featured three top-five Heisman Trophy vote-getters including the recipient DeVonta Smith as well as Mac Jones and Najee Harris. Saban has plenty of respect for Sarkisian and knows it will be a challenge lining up on the opposite sideline from his former assistant this weekend.
On Jaylen Moody doing the little things right
“Well, I think that's the key to the drill. A lot of players want to make plays, but they don't understand that systematically you have to do your job relative to what's required on that particular play in that particular defense. And that will actually enhance your chances of making plays. And when players understand that, then we can play much better team defense because you’ve got everybody in the right places. The term I like to use is, ‘Nobody here needs to farm somebody else's land.’ So if you just do your job, then we’ve got a chance to be successful because when one guy is trying to do something he's not supposed to do, that opens up an area that offers an opportunity for the other team to make plays.”
Tony’s take: After waiting his turn at Alabama, redshirt senior Jaylen Moody made his first collegiate start over the weekend, leading the defense with six tackles, including one stop for a loss.
When asked bout Moody’s ability to do the little things right, Saban used the question as an opportunity to stress the importance of his players sticking to their roles on defense. While everyone wants to be the hero, sometimes the players who don’t make the stats are equally important to the team’s success.
On the pass rush’s effectiveness despite not recording a sack
“I don’t really know if you can assess the pass rush against Utah State, because they threw the ball and got the ball out so quick, you didn’t have a chance to get a pass rush. But I do think we affected the quarterback in the game, pushing the pocket. We had some free runners in space, which affected his throws. But typical dropback, hold the ball, see it develop and throw it, they didn’t do much of that. So the ball was catch-and-throw all the time, so we didn’t have a lot of opportunity to get the proverbial sack. But I do think we affected the quarterback pretty well in the game.”
Tony’s take: Alabama’s vaunted pass rush didn’t record a sack against Utah State, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t productive. As Saban pointed out, the Aggies got rid of the ball quickly and seemed set on not letting the Crimson Tide’s three-headed monster of Will Anderson Jr., Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell beat them. It turned out that plan didn’t necessarily work as Alabama was still able to affect Utah State’s passing game and force Aggies quarterbcks into hurried throws throughout the night.
On if playing in Austin is good for recruiting the state of Texas
“I think that any time you get exposure in an area, it obviously helps recruiting. It doesn’t matter where you play. Whether we play in Atlanta or we play somewhere in Texas, I think that exposure makes people in that area more aware of your program, who you are, players on your team. So I do think those things have an impact in recruiting. It’s a great opportunity for us to play a school like Texas that’s got a great tradition, and they’ve got a really good team.”
Tony’s take: Alabama didn’t play in a neutral-site opener this season, but its trip to Austin should still help with recruiting. The Crimson Tide has recruited the state of Texas well in recent years, and this weekend’s game is just another opportunity to showcase the program to Lone Star State prospects.
On Traeshon Holden’s performance
“Traeshon’s had a really good camp. Played really well in the game. He’s playing fast. One of the things that Traeshon has gotten so much better at is controlling his emotions and staying in the right place where he can play fast and not get frustrated and not cut things short or not do things the right way. I think he’s learned through his maturity that by doing things the way a quarterback expects him to do it, the way it’s designed, that that gives him the best chance to make plays and be successful. He’s playing fast. He’s very physical. He’s got strong hands. So all those things benefitted him in this game, I think, in a very positive way and he had a really, really positive performance.”
Tony’s take: Making his first career start, Traeshon Holden led Alabama with five receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns over the weekend. In his assessment of Holden, Saban highlighted an increased maturity from the junior this season. Holden, 6-foot-3, 214 pounds, is the biggest receiver on the team. If he’s able to pair that physical presence with a more mature approach, he could be in for a breakout year.
On Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers
“Very, very talented passer. He’s got a good feel for the game. He’s got a strong arm. I think he threw a ball like 55 yards pretty much on the money in the last game. I know that’s probably his first game playing, but I thought he played extremely well in the game. And I’m sure that he’s going to continue to make progress because he has a tremendous amount of talent. This guy’s a really, really good player and we’re going to have to do a great job of sort of hopefully disguising what we do a little bit so he has to figure it out after he gets the ball in his hand. But he’s got the talent to make the plays when he knows where to go with it, that’s for sure.”
Tony’s take: This weekend will be the first big test for Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Quinn Ewers. The former five-star prospect completed 16 of 24 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns with an interception during his debut against Louisiana-Monroe last week. Ewers was the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2021 class. While he’s lacking much experience, Saban knows he has the tools to cause problems for the Crimson Tide.
Opening statement
"I think we showed elements of Alabama football in terms of how physical we are the toughness, we played with the intensity that we had. For the most part, the discipline to execute was pretty good, especially early in the game. I think we need to get more players to be able to go and do those things in game situations and play winning football. But, the key is the measure of a team is what is your growth between Week 1 and Week 2, even though you had a pretty good start, can you build on that and make progress for the future because we're gonna need to do that playing against a really good opponent this week.
“[Steve Sarkisian] has done a really good job. They have a very good offensive coach. They've been in a great system and have a great scheme on offense. They've got some really good players on offense. [Bijan] Robinson is an outstanding running back. [Xavier] Worthy is a great receiver. Ewers is a very good quarterback. Great arm and is a very talented guy. They've got seven starters back on defense. They played much better last week on defense than maybe some of the times last year when people scored points on them. This is a very improved defensive team to me. They do a really good job on special teams, they play with great effort and blocked a punt last week. They make plays, Worthy has been a really good punt returner, he averages 15 yards or something on a punt return. They've got a lot of good players. They've got really good schemes, and it's gonna be a very challenging game for us."
Tony’s take: Saban started off his press conference by providing perhaps the biggest compliment he could give to his players. Alabama’s 55-0 victory over Utah state was a complete team performance, and if the team can continue to play to that standard, it should be a fun season for the Crimson Tide.
That being said, this week’s opponent is going to be a bit more difficult. Texas features one of the best offenses Alabama will face this season, led by two speedy playmakers in running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Xavier Worthy. The Longhorns also have former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian calling the shots and could certainly feature a few interesting wrinkles on offense. While it’s hard to judge off Texas’ 52-10 victory over Louisiana Monroe, Saban said he sees improvement from a Longhorns defense that ranked No. 99 in the nation last year, allowing 31.1 points per game.
In short, as impressive as Alabama was in its opener, it will need to be even better to experience the same success in its trip to the Lone Star State this weekend.
On the challenges in communication when playing on the road
"Well, it's the same that we've always done. We try to go in silent sometimes, we try to go into clap sometimes. We can't really use a cadence and those kinds of situations, so that's what you practice. We usually have some noise practices when we're playing on the road, which we will do at some point in time this week, later in the week, but it's always a challenge, especially on offense. For defensive players maybe not as much, but sometimes for defensive players, it's tougher at home because the crowd is yelling when the other team has the ball. This is a very challenging thing that we've always had to work on hard in the past and we'll continue to do it this week."
Tony’s take: Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium has a capacity of 100,119, and the decibel level can get pretty high when the team in burnt orange is performing well. However, Alabama’s trip to Texas won’t be much different than some of its stops in the SEC. Fans might be excited about seeing a game in a new venue, but this should be old-hat to Crimson Tide players.
On what he saw out of the running game against Utah State
"Inconsistent. Like I said, after the game, it was a big little. We made a couple of really explosive plays in the running game, but the down-in and down-out consistency to have positive runs and not having negative plays was not where we want it. It's something that we want to improve on, but I wasn't disappointed at all in the way we played. They did a lot of stunting and moving up front, which we sort of expected. We didn't always pick it up exactly right. Sometimes they were able to create some negative plays with it, so definitely need to work on those things."
Tony’s take: Outside of Bryce Young’s three big scrambles and a pair of long runs from Jahmyr Gibbs (58 yards) and Jamarion Miller (23 yards), Alabama didn’t generate too many highlights on the ground. That’s a bit disappointing, considering it was facing a Utah State defense that struggled to stop the run against lowly UConn the week before. Despite making improvements this offseason, Alabama’s offensive line is still a work in progress, and Saban will want to see the unit continue to improve moving forward.
On Texas running back Bijan Robinson
“He can do everything. He's got speed. He’s got power. He’s a very instinctive runner, sets up his blockers well, has a burst. And he’s got great hands, good receiver— they use him a lot in the passing game. So this guy is as good an all-around back as there probably is in the country, or certainly one of the best of all the guys in the country, and his production really shows that.”
Tony’s take: Robinson is arguably the most dangerous offensive player Alabama will face in the regular season. The 6-foot, 222-pound back ran for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns while pulling in 26 receptions for 295 yards and four more scores through the air last season. Alabama has struggled with pass-catching backs in the past and will need to be aware of where Robinson is on the field at all times Saturday.
On facing former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian
“We’ve seemed to play several teams now that kind of know us, but you act like we don't know them. So just because somebody knows you when they play you, doesn’t mean they’re going to beat you. And just because you know them when you play them, doesn't mean you're gonna beat ‘em either. It’s gonna come down to how you execute.
“But to think we’re gonna go change a lot of things that we do, that our players know how to do, that they do well, that they have confidence in—I don't think that's the answer when it comes to getting execution and having confidence in how you have to adjust in what you need to do.”
Tony’s take: While Sarkisian might have some inside knowledge on how to expose Alabama’s defense, Saban pointed out that he is also familiar with how to stop Sarkisian’s high-powered attack. Neither coach is going to change their game plan this week, so the matchup will come down to preparation. Saban tends to handle that better than anyone in the sport.
On the advantage of a running back who can catch passes
“I think that's what every offensive coach wants. You have five eligible receivers, and you want them to have to defend all five guys. I think tight ends and running backs are mismatched players because of the guys who end up guarding them most of the time. So when you have a guy that's outstanding, that can create those mismatches, that's a real advantage for you. So I think that's probably the greatest advantage of having a running back or running backs who are really good receivers and understand the passing game and can be used as targets in a lot of ways that puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”
Tony’s take: While Texas has a versatile playmaker in Robinson, Alabama also has a few backs capable of making plays both on the ground and in the passing game. Gibbs is regarded as one of the best pass-catching backs in the nation after recording 36 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns at Georgia Tech last year. Meanwhile, Jase McClellan flashed his hands last weekend, pulling in a pair of touchdown receptions against Utah State. Those two should be a big part of Alabama’s offense this season.
On what makes Sarkisian a good play caller
“Well, I think he's a very bright guy, very well organized. He did an outstanding job when he was here. He's got a good system. He understands defense. He likes to see what you're in if he can, so that he can run a play that's going to be an effective play against that particular look or give his players the best chance to be successful. I think all those things and a combination of those things and good preparation, make you a really, really good play caller.
“So he has a really good understanding of defense. He has a really good understanding of what he wants to do on offense against certain things on defense, and he tries to implement those in the game. Whether it’s formationally, using motions, adjustments, eye candy, whatever you want to call it to, to sort of get the look that he’d like to have and run that particular play against it.”
Tony’s take: Sarkisian is one of the best assistants Saban has had during his time at Alabama. The Crimson Tide ranked in the top 10 in total offense and scoring offense in both of Sarkisian’s seasons as offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020. The 2020 unit is regarded as one of the best attacks in college football history and featured three top-five Heisman Trophy vote-getters including the recipient DeVonta Smith as well as Mac Jones and Najee Harris. Saban has plenty of respect for Sarkisian and knows it will be a challenge lining up on the opposite sideline from his former assistant this weekend.
On Jaylen Moody doing the little things right
“Well, I think that's the key to the drill. A lot of players want to make plays, but they don't understand that systematically you have to do your job relative to what's required on that particular play in that particular defense. And that will actually enhance your chances of making plays. And when players understand that, then we can play much better team defense because you’ve got everybody in the right places. The term I like to use is, ‘Nobody here needs to farm somebody else's land.’ So if you just do your job, then we’ve got a chance to be successful because when one guy is trying to do something he's not supposed to do, that opens up an area that offers an opportunity for the other team to make plays.”
Tony’s take: After waiting his turn at Alabama, redshirt senior Jaylen Moody made his first collegiate start over the weekend, leading the defense with six tackles, including one stop for a loss.
When asked bout Moody’s ability to do the little things right, Saban used the question as an opportunity to stress the importance of his players sticking to their roles on defense. While everyone wants to be the hero, sometimes the players who don’t make the stats are equally important to the team’s success.
On the pass rush’s effectiveness despite not recording a sack
“I don’t really know if you can assess the pass rush against Utah State, because they threw the ball and got the ball out so quick, you didn’t have a chance to get a pass rush. But I do think we affected the quarterback in the game, pushing the pocket. We had some free runners in space, which affected his throws. But typical dropback, hold the ball, see it develop and throw it, they didn’t do much of that. So the ball was catch-and-throw all the time, so we didn’t have a lot of opportunity to get the proverbial sack. But I do think we affected the quarterback pretty well in the game.”
Tony’s take: Alabama’s vaunted pass rush didn’t record a sack against Utah State, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t productive. As Saban pointed out, the Aggies got rid of the ball quickly and seemed set on not letting the Crimson Tide’s three-headed monster of Will Anderson Jr., Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell beat them. It turned out that plan didn’t necessarily work as Alabama was still able to affect Utah State’s passing game and force Aggies quarterbcks into hurried throws throughout the night.
On if playing in Austin is good for recruiting the state of Texas
“I think that any time you get exposure in an area, it obviously helps recruiting. It doesn’t matter where you play. Whether we play in Atlanta or we play somewhere in Texas, I think that exposure makes people in that area more aware of your program, who you are, players on your team. So I do think those things have an impact in recruiting. It’s a great opportunity for us to play a school like Texas that’s got a great tradition, and they’ve got a really good team.”
Tony’s take: Alabama didn’t play in a neutral-site opener this season, but its trip to Austin should still help with recruiting. The Crimson Tide has recruited the state of Texas well in recent years, and this weekend’s game is just another opportunity to showcase the program to Lone Star State prospects.
On Traeshon Holden’s performance
“Traeshon’s had a really good camp. Played really well in the game. He’s playing fast. One of the things that Traeshon has gotten so much better at is controlling his emotions and staying in the right place where he can play fast and not get frustrated and not cut things short or not do things the right way. I think he’s learned through his maturity that by doing things the way a quarterback expects him to do it, the way it’s designed, that that gives him the best chance to make plays and be successful. He’s playing fast. He’s very physical. He’s got strong hands. So all those things benefitted him in this game, I think, in a very positive way and he had a really, really positive performance.”
Tony’s take: Making his first career start, Traeshon Holden led Alabama with five receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns over the weekend. In his assessment of Holden, Saban highlighted an increased maturity from the junior this season. Holden, 6-foot-3, 214 pounds, is the biggest receiver on the team. If he’s able to pair that physical presence with a more mature approach, he could be in for a breakout year.
On Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers
“Very, very talented passer. He’s got a good feel for the game. He’s got a strong arm. I think he threw a ball like 55 yards pretty much on the money in the last game. I know that’s probably his first game playing, but I thought he played extremely well in the game. And I’m sure that he’s going to continue to make progress because he has a tremendous amount of talent. This guy’s a really, really good player and we’re going to have to do a great job of sort of hopefully disguising what we do a little bit so he has to figure it out after he gets the ball in his hand. But he’s got the talent to make the plays when he knows where to go with it, that’s for sure.”
Tony’s take: This weekend will be the first big test for Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Quinn Ewers. The former five-star prospect completed 16 of 24 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns with an interception during his debut against Louisiana-Monroe last week. Ewers was the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2021 class. While he’s lacking much experience, Saban knows he has the tools to cause problems for the Crimson Tide.
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