Alabama will wrap up its regular season with the Iron Bowl as it hosts Auburn on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
During his Monday press conference, Nick Saban spoke about the rivalry and where his team stands heading into the game. Here’s a transcript of what he said as well as my takes on what it means.
Opening statement
"I think we did a lot of good things in the last game. I think one of the things that probably we need to get corrected is, we did get three turnovers defensively but we also had three turnovers. Ball security is a very important part of being successful. It gives the other team three extra possessions, possessions where you could have scored. I think the emphasis has to continue to be on, whenever you're less than perfect in terms of your execution, whether it's fundamental execution or whatever it is, that's when you get exposed. So that's why we've got to keep coaching our team to get it right on a consistent basis.
Tony’s take: Alabama didn’t dominate Austin Peay quite as much as expected over the weekend, but the Crimson Tide is still in a position to end its season on a strong note. So far, Alabama has struggled to find consistency this season, so it will be interesting to see if it can keep things moving in the right direction.
On the Iron Bowl
"This is one of the greatest rivalry games in college football. Most every team in rivalry games, it's part of their legacy in terms of how did they do in the rivalry game. And this is one of the biggest ones, and it means a lot to a lot of people in our state. It means a lot to us, our players and our fans, and we're going to do the best job we can to get ready for this game. I think Cadillac Williams has done a really, really good job. They've played really well these last three games.
"They run the ball effectively. They've got a lot of diversity on offense. Their quarterback's a very athletic player who can run and throw. Tank is one of the better backs in the SEC. Their defense is very, very aggressive. (Owen) Pappoe is a really good inside backer. (Derick) Hall is a really good rusher, creates a lot of negative plays. They're very good on special teams. This is a very challenging game for us, and our players are going to have to do a great job of getting prepared to play as well as we've played all season."
Tony’s take: I’ve never been a big believer in the “throw out the record books” belief heading into rivalries. Alabama is a much better team than Auburn, and I expect the Crimson Tide to show that on Saturday. Still, Auburn have plenty of talent, and could make things interesting if Alabama doesn’t come out fully focused.
On if he can see a difference in Auburn lately
"I just think they're playing really well now. I'm not making an evaluation. I thought they played hard all year long. I think their players really compete well and they've done that all year long. They've just played really well in the last three games."
Tony’s take: After losing five straight games, Auburn has strung together back-to-back wins against Texas A&M and Western Kentucky the past two weeks. That momentum will likely end this week as the Tigers will face a much more difficult test this week, but there’s no denying things are looking a bit more promising on the Plains at the moment.
On Will Anderson's evolution as a pass rusher
"Will's done great for us. Will helps other players play better. It's not just all about what you do. He does his job extremely well. If they're focusing on him a little bit more, I think it gives other players opportunities to make plays. But I think he competes, he plays hard, he gives great effort, he sets a good example, he prepares well. We can't ask any more of Will Anderson than what he does, and I think he helps our team as much as any player on our team."
Tony’s take: While Anderson hasn’t been able to match last year’s insane production, he’s still had an outstanding year for Alabama. The junior leads the team with eight sacks, 14 tackles for a loss and 10 quarterback hurries despite constantly fending off double teams. He’s also been one of the team’s biggest leaders in the locker room. The junior has picked up a lot of heat from frustrated fans this season, but to his Alabama coaches and teammates, he’s invaluable.
On freshman offensive tackle Elijah Pritchett
"I think he started back (practicing) like the bye week, right around LSU time. So he's been out there practicing for several weeks now, mostly on the scout team. But as he's kind of gotten back in shape and gotten back in football form, he's a guy that certainly has done extremely well and we think can be a really, really good player. He's got power. He can bend. He's got good balance and body control. So somebody that we want to continue to work and develop."
Tony’s take: Pritchett, the No. 1 rated offensive tackle in this year’s recruiting class, made his Alabama debut against Austin Peay after missing most of his freshman year while recovering from a torn pectoral he suffered in the offseaosn. While he appeared in just 10 snaps at left guard, it was nice to see the five-star talent return to the field.
Pritchett, 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, is someone to watch moving forward and could compete for a starting role next year depending on how he progresses over the offseason.
On Senior Day
"I think it's an opportunity for us -- myself, all the coaches, people at the university, our fans -- to actually show the appreciation that we all have for the sacrifices and the investments that these guys have made in the program for the last four years, sometimes five. And some of them get a lot of positive accolades because they play, and they get a lot of positive self-gratification for the positive performance, but there's a lot of them who are kind of unsung heroes in terms of, they work hard every week and they play their games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to help the other guys get prepared for the game. And don't get a whole lot of recognition. So it is a great opportunity for those guys to get some positive self-gratification for all their efforts."
Tony’s take: Along with it being the Iron Bowl, Saturday will also serve as Senior Day for Alabama. The Crimson Tide lists 18 seniors on it roster. That includes 11 starters in Jordan Battle, Darrian Dalcourt, D.J. Dale, Emil Ekiyor Jr., DeMarcco Hellams, Cameron Latu, Jaylen Moody, Will Reichard, Tyler Steen, Henry To’oTo’o and Byron Young. However, Senior Day is also a time to recognize the role players and walk-ons who have also contributed to the team’s success.
On what young players can learn from Ja'Corey Brooks' Iron Bowl performance last year
"We need to get all of our players to play to the best of their ability and understand when they have the opportunity to make plays that that’s what competition is all about, that’s what competing in games like this is all about. And that should be their mindset. Anytime you’ve got a young player who makes outstanding plays, I think it sets a good example for everyone else on the team that they have the opportunity, capability and possibility to do the same thing, but they’ve got to do things right in order for that to happen. We’ve got some young receivers, so hopefully they’ll step up."
Tony’s take: Brooks’ Iron Bowl performance last year is a perfect example of how players have to be ready to hear their names called at any moment. The then-freshman came into last year’s game after starter Jameson Williams was ejected for targeting in the second quarter. Brooks ended up with two catches for 49 yards, including the game-tying touchdown in the final minute, helping Alabama pull off the comeback while jumpstarting his Crimson Tide career.
Who knows? Maybe someone like Kendrick Law or Isaiah Bond will step up on Saturday. Given Alabama’s current situation at cornerback, perhaps freshmen Earl Little Jr. or Antonio Kite will serve as unexpected heroes. Either way, the younger players have to be ready.
On the offensive line
"I thought this last week was one of the better games we played up front. We sorta dominated the line of scrimmage, you know, fairly well, finished a lot of blocks. I think we blocked on the perimeter better than we have all year. I'm talking about the receivers and so forth. So I saw a step in the right direction, and I saw it in the Ole Miss game as well, especially in the second half. We started dominating the line of scrimmage a little bit, which I think is a really important thing and will be a great challenge for us this week."
Tony’s take: Since the second half against Ole Miss, Alabama has been able to move the ball a bit more consistently on the ground. Over the weekend, the offensive line dominated Austin Peay, opening up huge holes for Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams to run through. While Auburn should offer a tougher test this week, its run defense hasn’t been too imposing. The Tigers rank 94th nationally, allowing giving up an average of 172.64 yards per game on the ground.
On if directional success in the running game influences playcalling
"I think sometimes you do things based on what the other team’s doing. Some of the runs get sort of packaged relative to where’s the strength of their defense, or what are they doing? So in certain situations, if you think you have significant, good matchups on one side of the line versus the other — they may change from week to week — but that’s probably where you’d choose to run the ball."
Tony’s take: Against Austin Peay, Alabama picked up 177 yards and two touchdowns on 22 rushing attempts to the right side as opposed to 63 yards on 16 rushing attempts to the left. While Alabama isn’t going to totally rearrange its offensive scheme mid-game, Saban and the staff do notice when they have a mismatch and work to exploit it.
On if he allows players to get extra excited about rivalry games
"They’re all big games. This is obviously a rivalry game which makes it a special game and a special challenge. We’ve tried all year to get our players to focus on being motivated internally in terms of what they want to accomplish and what they want to do, how good they want to be. Rather than counting on external factors to create that motivation for them. But I think in games like this, there’s gonna be some external factors that may be a positive for some of the guys. I can’t discount that."
Tony’s take: Regardless of records and title implications, the Iron Bowl is one of the premiere games on the college footbal schedule. It’s only natural for players to get more amped than usual this week. However, if Saban had it his way, the team would capture that same intensity for every game.
On Auburn interim head coach Cadilac Williams
"He’s done a great job. The energy, the enthusiasm, the way the guys are competing and playing, the way they play to win. And that was his personality as a player. I remember when I was the coach at the Miami Dolphins, Ronnie Brown and Cadillac were both coming out the same time in the same draft, and we thought they were both great competitors. He certainly was a great competitor. And I think his personality shows in the way his team competes."
Tony’s take: Williams has certainly provided Auburn with a boost of energy over the past three weeks. However, the Tigers are going to need a lot more than that if they want to walk out of Bryant-Denny Stadium with a win on Saturday.
On Khyree Jackson's status
"He’s suspended right now."
Tony’s take: Saban didn’t provide a reason for Jackson’s suspension, but it’s safe to assume the senior’s time is done at Alabama is done. Eli Ricks should be back this week and will likely get the start across from Kool-Aid McKinstry on Saturday while Terrion Arnold moves to the bench. If the Crimson Tide needs to turn to its depth in the bowl game, it makes more sense to give freshmen Antonio Kite and Earl Little Jr. more reps anyway.
During his Monday press conference, Nick Saban spoke about the rivalry and where his team stands heading into the game. Here’s a transcript of what he said as well as my takes on what it means.
Opening statement
"I think we did a lot of good things in the last game. I think one of the things that probably we need to get corrected is, we did get three turnovers defensively but we also had three turnovers. Ball security is a very important part of being successful. It gives the other team three extra possessions, possessions where you could have scored. I think the emphasis has to continue to be on, whenever you're less than perfect in terms of your execution, whether it's fundamental execution or whatever it is, that's when you get exposed. So that's why we've got to keep coaching our team to get it right on a consistent basis.
Tony’s take: Alabama didn’t dominate Austin Peay quite as much as expected over the weekend, but the Crimson Tide is still in a position to end its season on a strong note. So far, Alabama has struggled to find consistency this season, so it will be interesting to see if it can keep things moving in the right direction.
On the Iron Bowl
"This is one of the greatest rivalry games in college football. Most every team in rivalry games, it's part of their legacy in terms of how did they do in the rivalry game. And this is one of the biggest ones, and it means a lot to a lot of people in our state. It means a lot to us, our players and our fans, and we're going to do the best job we can to get ready for this game. I think Cadillac Williams has done a really, really good job. They've played really well these last three games.
"They run the ball effectively. They've got a lot of diversity on offense. Their quarterback's a very athletic player who can run and throw. Tank is one of the better backs in the SEC. Their defense is very, very aggressive. (Owen) Pappoe is a really good inside backer. (Derick) Hall is a really good rusher, creates a lot of negative plays. They're very good on special teams. This is a very challenging game for us, and our players are going to have to do a great job of getting prepared to play as well as we've played all season."
Tony’s take: I’ve never been a big believer in the “throw out the record books” belief heading into rivalries. Alabama is a much better team than Auburn, and I expect the Crimson Tide to show that on Saturday. Still, Auburn have plenty of talent, and could make things interesting if Alabama doesn’t come out fully focused.
On if he can see a difference in Auburn lately
"I just think they're playing really well now. I'm not making an evaluation. I thought they played hard all year long. I think their players really compete well and they've done that all year long. They've just played really well in the last three games."
Tony’s take: After losing five straight games, Auburn has strung together back-to-back wins against Texas A&M and Western Kentucky the past two weeks. That momentum will likely end this week as the Tigers will face a much more difficult test this week, but there’s no denying things are looking a bit more promising on the Plains at the moment.
On Will Anderson's evolution as a pass rusher
"Will's done great for us. Will helps other players play better. It's not just all about what you do. He does his job extremely well. If they're focusing on him a little bit more, I think it gives other players opportunities to make plays. But I think he competes, he plays hard, he gives great effort, he sets a good example, he prepares well. We can't ask any more of Will Anderson than what he does, and I think he helps our team as much as any player on our team."
Tony’s take: While Anderson hasn’t been able to match last year’s insane production, he’s still had an outstanding year for Alabama. The junior leads the team with eight sacks, 14 tackles for a loss and 10 quarterback hurries despite constantly fending off double teams. He’s also been one of the team’s biggest leaders in the locker room. The junior has picked up a lot of heat from frustrated fans this season, but to his Alabama coaches and teammates, he’s invaluable.
On freshman offensive tackle Elijah Pritchett
"I think he started back (practicing) like the bye week, right around LSU time. So he's been out there practicing for several weeks now, mostly on the scout team. But as he's kind of gotten back in shape and gotten back in football form, he's a guy that certainly has done extremely well and we think can be a really, really good player. He's got power. He can bend. He's got good balance and body control. So somebody that we want to continue to work and develop."
Tony’s take: Pritchett, the No. 1 rated offensive tackle in this year’s recruiting class, made his Alabama debut against Austin Peay after missing most of his freshman year while recovering from a torn pectoral he suffered in the offseaosn. While he appeared in just 10 snaps at left guard, it was nice to see the five-star talent return to the field.
Pritchett, 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, is someone to watch moving forward and could compete for a starting role next year depending on how he progresses over the offseason.
On Senior Day
"I think it's an opportunity for us -- myself, all the coaches, people at the university, our fans -- to actually show the appreciation that we all have for the sacrifices and the investments that these guys have made in the program for the last four years, sometimes five. And some of them get a lot of positive accolades because they play, and they get a lot of positive self-gratification for the positive performance, but there's a lot of them who are kind of unsung heroes in terms of, they work hard every week and they play their games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to help the other guys get prepared for the game. And don't get a whole lot of recognition. So it is a great opportunity for those guys to get some positive self-gratification for all their efforts."
Tony’s take: Along with it being the Iron Bowl, Saturday will also serve as Senior Day for Alabama. The Crimson Tide lists 18 seniors on it roster. That includes 11 starters in Jordan Battle, Darrian Dalcourt, D.J. Dale, Emil Ekiyor Jr., DeMarcco Hellams, Cameron Latu, Jaylen Moody, Will Reichard, Tyler Steen, Henry To’oTo’o and Byron Young. However, Senior Day is also a time to recognize the role players and walk-ons who have also contributed to the team’s success.
On what young players can learn from Ja'Corey Brooks' Iron Bowl performance last year
"We need to get all of our players to play to the best of their ability and understand when they have the opportunity to make plays that that’s what competition is all about, that’s what competing in games like this is all about. And that should be their mindset. Anytime you’ve got a young player who makes outstanding plays, I think it sets a good example for everyone else on the team that they have the opportunity, capability and possibility to do the same thing, but they’ve got to do things right in order for that to happen. We’ve got some young receivers, so hopefully they’ll step up."
Tony’s take: Brooks’ Iron Bowl performance last year is a perfect example of how players have to be ready to hear their names called at any moment. The then-freshman came into last year’s game after starter Jameson Williams was ejected for targeting in the second quarter. Brooks ended up with two catches for 49 yards, including the game-tying touchdown in the final minute, helping Alabama pull off the comeback while jumpstarting his Crimson Tide career.
Who knows? Maybe someone like Kendrick Law or Isaiah Bond will step up on Saturday. Given Alabama’s current situation at cornerback, perhaps freshmen Earl Little Jr. or Antonio Kite will serve as unexpected heroes. Either way, the younger players have to be ready.
On the offensive line
"I thought this last week was one of the better games we played up front. We sorta dominated the line of scrimmage, you know, fairly well, finished a lot of blocks. I think we blocked on the perimeter better than we have all year. I'm talking about the receivers and so forth. So I saw a step in the right direction, and I saw it in the Ole Miss game as well, especially in the second half. We started dominating the line of scrimmage a little bit, which I think is a really important thing and will be a great challenge for us this week."
Tony’s take: Since the second half against Ole Miss, Alabama has been able to move the ball a bit more consistently on the ground. Over the weekend, the offensive line dominated Austin Peay, opening up huge holes for Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams to run through. While Auburn should offer a tougher test this week, its run defense hasn’t been too imposing. The Tigers rank 94th nationally, allowing giving up an average of 172.64 yards per game on the ground.
On if directional success in the running game influences playcalling
"I think sometimes you do things based on what the other team’s doing. Some of the runs get sort of packaged relative to where’s the strength of their defense, or what are they doing? So in certain situations, if you think you have significant, good matchups on one side of the line versus the other — they may change from week to week — but that’s probably where you’d choose to run the ball."
Tony’s take: Against Austin Peay, Alabama picked up 177 yards and two touchdowns on 22 rushing attempts to the right side as opposed to 63 yards on 16 rushing attempts to the left. While Alabama isn’t going to totally rearrange its offensive scheme mid-game, Saban and the staff do notice when they have a mismatch and work to exploit it.
On if he allows players to get extra excited about rivalry games
"They’re all big games. This is obviously a rivalry game which makes it a special game and a special challenge. We’ve tried all year to get our players to focus on being motivated internally in terms of what they want to accomplish and what they want to do, how good they want to be. Rather than counting on external factors to create that motivation for them. But I think in games like this, there’s gonna be some external factors that may be a positive for some of the guys. I can’t discount that."
Tony’s take: Regardless of records and title implications, the Iron Bowl is one of the premiere games on the college footbal schedule. It’s only natural for players to get more amped than usual this week. However, if Saban had it his way, the team would capture that same intensity for every game.
On Auburn interim head coach Cadilac Williams
"He’s done a great job. The energy, the enthusiasm, the way the guys are competing and playing, the way they play to win. And that was his personality as a player. I remember when I was the coach at the Miami Dolphins, Ronnie Brown and Cadillac were both coming out the same time in the same draft, and we thought they were both great competitors. He certainly was a great competitor. And I think his personality shows in the way his team competes."
Tony’s take: Williams has certainly provided Auburn with a boost of energy over the past three weeks. However, the Tigers are going to need a lot more than that if they want to walk out of Bryant-Denny Stadium with a win on Saturday.
On Khyree Jackson's status
"He’s suspended right now."
Tony’s take: Saban didn’t provide a reason for Jackson’s suspension, but it’s safe to assume the senior’s time is done at Alabama is done. Eli Ricks should be back this week and will likely get the start across from Kool-Aid McKinstry on Saturday while Terrion Arnold moves to the bench. If the Crimson Tide needs to turn to its depth in the bowl game, it makes more sense to give freshmen Antonio Kite and Earl Little Jr. more reps anyway.
