The most earth-shattering moment in the college football landscape last week was then-No. 2 Ohio State’s stunning loss at unranked Purdue. It marked the second straight year the Buckeyes got clobbered on the road by an unranked team, which is something Alabama — a fellow elite in the sport — has mostly avoided under Nick Saban.

During his portion of Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, the Crimson Tide coach explained how he keeps his team prepared even against much lesser opponents.

“It’s a work in progress to keep the players up to our standard,” Saban said. “That starts with focus and mentality. Regardless of who we are playing, external factors should not affect how you prepare. We’ve been able to do that to some degree here. If you drop your hands in boxing, you are going to get slapped. If we drop our hands, we are going to get upset.”

There’s no threat of that happening to No. 1 Alabama this week as it takes a bye. But when the Crimson Tide returns to action at No. 4 LSU on Nov. 3, Saban’s players will certainly need to embrace that winning mentality as much as ever.

Below is everything else Saban said during the teleconference.

On Quinnen Williams and his importance to the defense:

  • Any time when you have guys like him, that’s key to having a good defensive team. It all starts up front. He’s been very productive for us.

Has he always been slotted inside?

  • No, he could play anywhere. He just fits there with this team. He had to go outside some with Raekwon out last week.

On the lessons learned, Alabama players say accountability the most. Why is that?

  • We want to define the expectations and we want to surround them with people that will help them to achieve their goals. … Here’s what I’m supposed to do, do I have the discipline to do it? Here’s what I’m not supposed to do, do I have the discipline to not do it?

On adversity, how much do you teach it?

  • You can’t be a great competitor if you can’t overcome adversity. Not everything goes your way. If you can’t play the next play, learn from mistakes, then you are going to have a difficult time doing what you need to do to be successful.

Any danger looking ahead to LSU?

  • It is the next game, there’s nothing wrong with that. I like the players to be focused on today, one play at a time.

What do you like about LSU’s secondary this year?

  • They got really good players, very well-coached, got a good system. They play really well, have good ball skills, but because they don’t have any weaknesses on defense, I think all this contributes to the team defense being good. … And with that, the defensive backs have a chance to make plays.

On LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda:

  • He has a really good system. The players understand it. They play within the system. Sometimes they do things different against us, but you also have to do what got you there and you can’t revamp everything heading into one game.

On offensive lineman Deonte Brown:

  • He did a nice job in the game. We all have things we can improve on. He played well; he has a chance to play this year. I’m proud of him. He’s overcome a lot. We are pleased with him.

On LB Dylan Moses:

  • He’s done a nice job for us. We’ve made improvements at that position. He and Mack (Wilson) have played some around here, but they didn’t have to experience all the adjustments that we have to make, and I think they are more comfortable with that and it makes them play better.

On the talent of Bama and LSU, do you marvel at it?

  • Not really. We respect their players. It will be competitive. When you get into the game, you focus on the next play and what we have to do to adjust. Every time a player makes a play, you say, ‘Wow,’ but that’s it. You move on.

On young players, do you still see them as freshmen?

  • We know they are young players, but they also have developed experience. The hope is that experience will give them confidence and lead to more consistency.