Alabama went on the road to Starkville in Week 11 and collected a huge 31-6 win against Mississippi State. Nick Saban’s crew will host Charleston Southern in Tuscaloosa during Week 12 in a final tuneup in advance of the Iron Bowl.

Here’s a recap of what Saban had to say while addressing the media on Monday:

  • Saban said after looking at film of the Mississippi State game, he wasn’t happy with a slow start and thought the team lacked energy early, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
  • Saban joked that Jonathan Allen received SEC player of the week for the hit he put on Saban, which caused the much talked-about scratch on his cheek.
  • He said he thinks it will be a couple of weeks on recovery time for injured RB Kenyan Drake.
  • CB Minkah Fitzpatrick is considered day-to-day after leaving Saturday’s game.
  • Saban on seniors heading into final home game: “A lot of good people. A lot of guys that are going to be successful in life. … We’re just very thankful for what they have contributed.”
  • He talked up Charleston Southern, which is 9-1 on the season, and called it a “challenging game from a preparation standpoint” because of the option offense that they bring in.
  • On development of DL Jonathan Allen: “Jonathan was a really good in high school as the edge pass rush guy. He’s bigger and developed a lot of strength, so he can still rush off the edge but he’s a better inside rusher.” Also praised his ability to play the run now as well.
  • Saban speaking about time in reference to how fast players move through program: “You can’t buy it, you can’t stop it, you can’t bottle it. You just have to do the best you can with it.”
  • On how his team has, at times, relied on big plays to score: “In close games, it is always turnovers and explosive plays. They always have a huge impact. I don’t think it’s been any different this year or in particular this last game.”
  • Says speaking to retiring Missouri coach Gary Pinkel is on his list on things to do, but that he has not spoken to him yet.
  • On scheduling nonconference games: “We don’t have a lot of choices. It’s not like going to a restaurant and getting a menu. … Most of the time we’re bargaining and begging to get anyone to play us.”
  • He was asked to compare the 2011 game against option-oriented Georgia Southern to Charleston Southern. He said there were some similarities in the plays they run, but the formations are different.
  • While sack numbers are impressive, Saban said they also chart quarterback pressures and batted balls, and that those numbers are indicative of pressuring opposing quarterbacks into quicker decisions.
  • Praised Minkah Fitzpatrick and Calvin Ridley as freshman that have “sustained the standard” of what is expected of his players to get ready to play. Says he hopes his freshmen RB can pick up on that with the injury of Kenyan Drake hurting depth behind Derrick Henry.