Nick Saban sounds off on reporters for not taking The Citadel seriously
The No. 1 team in the country is 10-0 Alabama. This weekend, the Crimson Tide take on The Citadel — a team that is very much not the No. 1 team in the country.
This could be a great opportunity for Alabama to rest players for Week 13’s Iron Bowl and then the SEC title game against Georgia the following week, right?
No, according to Nick Saban, who is tired of reporters asking him about resting players against The Citadel, who he insists the Tide are taking seriously:
Saban: “We’re not going to take the approach that any opponent we play is not going to be competitive. That may be your mindset. It’s not my mindset, and i’m not going to take your suggestion on how I should manage this team.”
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— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) November 12, 2018
It’s easy to see where Saban is coming from — it would be incredibly embarrassing if Alabama lost to a team like The Citadel because they weren’t prepared.
However, after star QB Tua Tagovailoa left Saturday’s win over Mississippi State following a hit to his injured leg, it’s also important for reporters to ask about Saban’s plans for his top players heading into the game.
There is nothing wrong with resting some players against a vastly inferior opponent. It might be embarrassing if the blue moon came out and the citadel Played a good game but it could be devastating if you played tua and lost him for the rest of the season. He’s really the only one who isn’t replaceable. Saban is s smart guy and his players will never hear him take any team lightly but if tua really is banged up I will be surprised if he plays more than a couple series and if you’re only going to do that then don’t play him at all.
I would probably go with Saban knowing what to do with his players over fans posting on SDS…
BamaTime you think they should sit or play Tua?
In BamaTime’e eyes Citadel is a top 10 team
If Jalen was healthy I would start him. But beings he isnt 100% either i think its a risky to move to play him against an opponent like Citadel. But I am no football coach.
It doesn’t matter what I think. Saban is probably the greatest coach of all times and if he decides to play Tua why wouldn’t I trust he judgement?
I think he will prob play the first half and thats it.
I agree, he is arguably the GOAT
Ha! Ok nick that is bound to be better advice than anything butch jones has given you!
The starters should start. That includes Tua. Will he stay in long? Probably not.
If Jalen was 100% I would start him no question. I think its a risk that doesn’t need to be taken IMO. But hey im no football coach.
Darth… I doubt he stays in long either but I will be surprised if he doesnt start.
Saban starts the starters for every game unless they physically can not go. That’s just his style. Personally, I would love to see Tua sit, but can’t argue with Saban’s philosophy. Taking every opponent seriously is one of the ways he keeps the guys engaged throughout the season, and it’s a big reason why you don’t see Bama getting upset by inferior opponents.
It is amazing what reporters THINK their right to interject their thoughts into the process of team management. It does not matter what you think or believe. All that matters is that you report what Saban believes is important, because that is what is going to happen. What you want, think or believe is totally worthless and really not appreciated.