TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nick Saban spoke to reporters Wednesday for his final press conference before No. 7 Alabama takes on Auburn on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Here’s a transcript of what he said as well as my takes on what it means.
Opening Statement
"I think the most important thing for our players is to be able to stay focused and have the kind of energy and enthusiasm day in and day out in preparation for this game. Obviously, everybody knows it's a big game for a lot of people and our players certainly would like to finish strong and have a lot of pride in what they've done and, playing a very good team. The best chance for us to play well is to stay focused and prepare right all week long.
Tony’s take: Between it being Senior Day and the Iron Bowl, it shouldn’t be hard for players to get up for this one. With that said, it will be important for Alabama to channel that energy the right way on the field Saturday.
On Thanksgiving
I'd like to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving. This is a time of the year where we give thanks of gratitude and appreciation for all the things that we have. I know most of the time we think about what we don't have, but this is a really good time to think about what we do have and be thankful and have a lot of gratitude for that. One of the things that we'll do with the team tomorrow is move up practice so that we can finish a little earlier, so that guys that either live local or their family is here, they can have Thanksgiving dinner with them. For those who can't do that, we have players at our home, as well as some of the other coaches have players at their home. We try to make this as family oriented as possible as we can for the players, so they have a good feel for Thanksgiving.
Tony’s take: For those who don’t know, Saban invites players who live far away from Tuscaloosa to his house for Thanksgiving. In my opinion, it’s one of the coolest things he does as a head coach. As someone who will be away from family on Thanksgiving, it’s no fun.
On Senior Day
Then Saturday being senior day we're honoring 17 seniors that have contributed amazingly well to this program. Not only in winning 46 games but a national championship and two SEC titles but the class that they've represented the university with, as well as how they've grown and develop as people, which we're very, very proud of. Almost all of these guys have graduated or on track to graduate, so we're also very proud of them for their accomplishments and how they made an investment and created value for their future by what they've been able to accomplish while they've been here at Alabama."
Tony’s take: Saban did a pretty good job summing up the class’ accolades. Here’s a list of the 17 players that will be honored.
Jordan Battle
Bret Bolin
Darrian Dalcourt
DJ Dale
Emil Ekiyor
Tyler Harrell
DeMarcco Hellams
Grant Krieger
Cameron Latu
Jaylen Moody
Gabe Pugh
Kendall Randolph
Will Reichard
Jackson Roby
Tyler Steen
Henry To’oTo’o
Byron Young.
On Auburn's run game
"They're playing really well. They do a great job running and they have really good schemes. They've got you know, good players, good backs, quarterbacks a good runner, so he kind of adds to that as well. I still think they're very capable of throwing the ball, but they have played and tried to win on the line of scrimmage and have been pretty effective doing it these last couple of games."
Tony’s take: Auburn’s run game has been spectacular since Cadillac Wiliams took over as interim head coach. The Tigers have rushed for 250 yards or more in each of its last three games. Auburn has had five 100-yard rushing performances during that span, including two apiece from running backs Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter as well as one from quarterback Robby Ashford.
Alabama ranks 14th nationally, limiting opponents to 107.82 yards per game on the ground. If the Crimson Tide can keep that up Saturday, things could get ugly for Auburn.
On Tyler Steen’s status
"He's practiced."
Tony’s take: Alabama left tackle Tyler Steen twisted his ankle during late in the second quarter of last weekend’s game against Austin Peay. He was replaced by Amari Kight, who played the majority of the second half before coming out to let freshman Elijah Pritchett make his Crimson Tide debut.
Kight performed admirably in replacement of Steen, helping Alabama pile up 102 yards on 22 carries in the second half. Still, the Crimson Tide will be happy to have its starter back for the Iron Bowl.
On the personnel groupings to stop the run
"They play a lot of different personnel groups and most of the time we play against three wide receivers and a tight end, sometimes four wide receivers. They do have three wide receivers formation, but they play a lot of tight ends and a lot of play a lot of personnel groups. You've got to try to match that as much as you can, but they do a very good job, using formations to try to create advantages for them. You've got to be able to adjust all those things as well."
Tony’s take: This will be a game for Alabama’s bigger bodies. Expect players like D.J. Dale and Tim Smith to get more snaps as the Crimson Tide adjusts its personnel to stop Auburn’s rushing attack.
Updates on Jahmyr Gibbs, Eli Ricks and Cam Latu
"They've all practiced."
Tony’s take: Saban is so tired of giving injury updates that he’s gone to two- and three-word responses. Still, it’s nice to know that Alabama will be at relatively full strength heading into Saturday’s Iron Bowl.
On coaching in his first Iron Bowl at home since 2018
"I was here in 2020."
Tony’s take: Wut?
You had COVID?
"Yeah, but I was here. I watched the game."
Tony’s take: Obviously, that’s not what we meant.
Are you looking forward to being back in the stadium?
"Hell yeah. You're acting like I went to the moon or something. I was watching the game. The interesting thing about watching the game at home is I never realized that the TV copy is like a couple seconds behind the real copy. So I have a real film shooting and I have the TV on so I could watch the play and I could see it again. It was a pretty effective experience and for the little bit that I was able to communicate, I could contribute to some degree."
Tony’s take: “It doesn’t appear that Saban has a streaming service or else he’d be 30-40 seconds behind the action like me. Jokes aside, I’m sure he’ll enjoy taking in this year’s Iron Bowl inside Bryant-Denny Stadium much more than he did from his house two years ago.”
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