You’d think Nick Saban would be in a good mood following an impressive 35-17 win over No. 20 Wisconsin in Arlington, Texas, but that wasn’t the case in Monday’s weekly press conference.

In the midst of updating the status of the team and talking strategy for the Crimson Tide’s upcoming game with Middle Tennessee, Saban ran across a reporter’s question that sent the whole presser spiraling downward.

The reporter’s question that started the meltdown: “You’ve said seeing how they do on the field when the bullets are flying is maybe the best way to read how a quarterback does. Is this a game this week, where you’re a heavy favorite, that maybe you create a little competition in the game between the two of them?”

Saban’s response:

“No. You know, I don’t look at it like that at all. We’re going to do what’s best for our team in terms of getting ready for our game. I don’t think the fact that… You know, here’s the one thing that everybody’s got to keep in mind. Everybody’s got good football players and everybody needs to respect the opponent. I don’t care if we’re favored in a game or not favored in a game. The most important thing for our players is to focus on what they need to do to play their best. We took one step up on the climb, and we need to improve significantly. So we’re not approaching this game like its the most important game of the season for us because its the next game. And its the next opportunity for us to try and get better.

“So we’re not trying to create anything based on who we’re playing, because we respect who we’re playing and I suggest everybody else does, too. I mean they just put 700 yards or something on a team, so we respect that. And we respect what they do. We respect their players and we respect their coaches. They go fast. It’s probably going to be a hot day. We’ve got lots of issues and a lot of problems to deal with just in creating the kind of performance we want to create without creating something else.”

Saban was fuming after the question, and was so flustered that it impacted his ability to answer the next two questions.

We’re having fun already this season!

Here are some notes from the rest of the presser:

  • After reviewing film of Wisconsin game, Saban had this to say about his favorite part of the win: “I think probably the best thing was our players really played hard in the game. It was a very physical game on both sides of the line.”
  • Saban was happy with the chemistry he saw from his team against Wisconsin: “I think the players had a good time playing together, which was good to see.”
  • Saban said he wanted to address things that needed improvement, such as penalties, during practice this week.
  • Saban on playing Middle Tennessee: “This a game that I feel like will be a challenge for us.”
  • On Kenyan Drake being healthy: “I’ve been trying to convince you all that the guy is fine. Now you know it. So how do you feel about it? … Do you believe me now?”
  • S Jabriel Washington sprained his knee in Thursday’s practice. He missed Wisconsin game and Saban expects he will miss a couple of weeks.
  • On whether P JK Scott struggled through camp as Kirk Herbstreit suggested on the telecast: “Not really. I think there’s been a little inconsistency sometimes with his drop, which was what the problem was with his poor kick on Saturday.”