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Rainer Sabin |
Nick Saban said Texas A&M is "by far" the strongest team the Crimson Tide has played to this point -- in a holistic sense.
At every Monday news conference Nick Saban holds, the Alabama head coach touts the strength of the next opponent, making sure everyone in the world knows the Crimson Tide respects the team it's expected to vanquish.
But this week, Saban's praise of Texas A&M seemed to be exaggerated.
"This is by far, I think, the strongest team that we've played to this point all the way around," he said.
Ahem, how about Florida State?
Before quarterback Deondre Francois went down with a season-ending injury in the Seminoles' loss to the Tide on Sept. 2 and their trajectory changed dramatically, Florida State was considered a national title contender. The ACC titan entered the 2017 campaign with the No. 3 ranking and sported a ferocious defense that did a better job of containing Alabama than any other Power Five opponent the Crimson Tide has faced since.
But the overall composition of A&M's squad apparently impresses Saban more, and he explained why.
"Texas A&M is the strongest team that we've played to this point looking at them from a holistic standpoint.," he said. "They're a very explosive offensive team. They run the ball very effectively. They've got really good running backs. Christian Kirk is maybe the most explosive player -- returner, receiver, runner -- of anybody in our league. Offensively, tough to run against. They create a lot of negative plays. They've got good pass rushers. [Defensive coordinator] John Chavis always does a good job of playing very aggressive, physical football. Because of Christian Kirk being a fantastic returner, these guys are very dangerous on special teams."
The Aggies are 4-1, having recovered from its shocking defeat to UCLA in the opener. But A&M also barely outlasted Arkansas in overtime and staged a late comeback against South Carolina last Saturday.
Those close victories over average completion are among the reasons why oddsmakers don't believe the Aggies stand much of a chance against Alabama this Saturday. The Tide is favored to win by as many as 26.5 points this weekend.
For fear of his team becoming complacent, Saban would prefer to ignore that number or the fact that Alabama has beaten its first two conference opponents by a combined score of 125-3.
"After a game we have a 24-hour rule," outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings said. "We celebrate a win for 24 hours then get on to the next [opponent] and get ready for them."
Saban then makes sure the Tide doesn't take its next foe lightly, even if it means he has to resort to a little embellishment as he did on Monday while showering unranked Texas A&M with praise.
Continue reading...
At every Monday news conference Nick Saban holds, the Alabama head coach touts the strength of the next opponent, making sure everyone in the world knows the Crimson Tide respects the team it's expected to vanquish.
But this week, Saban's praise of Texas A&M seemed to be exaggerated.
"This is by far, I think, the strongest team that we've played to this point all the way around," he said.
Ahem, how about Florida State?
Before quarterback Deondre Francois went down with a season-ending injury in the Seminoles' loss to the Tide on Sept. 2 and their trajectory changed dramatically, Florida State was considered a national title contender. The ACC titan entered the 2017 campaign with the No. 3 ranking and sported a ferocious defense that did a better job of containing Alabama than any other Power Five opponent the Crimson Tide has faced since.
But the overall composition of A&M's squad apparently impresses Saban more, and he explained why.
"Texas A&M is the strongest team that we've played to this point looking at them from a holistic standpoint.," he said. "They're a very explosive offensive team. They run the ball very effectively. They've got really good running backs. Christian Kirk is maybe the most explosive player -- returner, receiver, runner -- of anybody in our league. Offensively, tough to run against. They create a lot of negative plays. They've got good pass rushers. [Defensive coordinator] John Chavis always does a good job of playing very aggressive, physical football. Because of Christian Kirk being a fantastic returner, these guys are very dangerous on special teams."
The Aggies are 4-1, having recovered from its shocking defeat to UCLA in the opener. But A&M also barely outlasted Arkansas in overtime and staged a late comeback against South Carolina last Saturday.
Those close victories over average completion are among the reasons why oddsmakers don't believe the Aggies stand much of a chance against Alabama this Saturday. The Tide is favored to win by as many as 26.5 points this weekend.
For fear of his team becoming complacent, Saban would prefer to ignore that number or the fact that Alabama has beaten its first two conference opponents by a combined score of 125-3.
"After a game we have a 24-hour rule," outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings said. "We celebrate a win for 24 hours then get on to the next [opponent] and get ready for them."
Saban then makes sure the Tide doesn't take its next foe lightly, even if it means he has to resort to a little embellishment as he did on Monday while showering unranked Texas A&M with praise.
Continue reading...
