Nick Saban recently began one of his post-practice press conferences in quite an unorthodox way, but it makes a little sense if you are aware of the way Saban sometimes uses pressers to get a certain point across to his football teams.

It was an unprompted lecture on “the importance of nothing.” It went a little something like this.

“OK, y’all ready for a lecture? Let’s talk about the importance of nothing,” Saban said. “You get up every day, you’re entitled to … nothing. Nobody owes you … nothing. You could have talent, but if you don’t have discipline, if you don’t execute, you don’t focus, you get … nothing. If you’re complacent, and not paying attention to detail, what does that get you? Nothing.”

The second part of it was even more clear, pointing to a standard of excellence Alabama has long been heralded for as one of college football’s dynasty teams.

Nothing is acceptable but your best. We need to be — everything is determined by what you do and you trying to be your best, so that you can build on positive performance. That’s the only thing. There should be nothing else but that, for everybody. That’s what we have to stay focused on. It’s what we need to do. We got rained out today, so we had to go inside. We need to not accept anything but our best in terms of what we’re doing for preparation.”

Alabama will look to stay on the right side of the win column as it faces a struggling Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday.