What Nick Saban said after Alabama's blowout win over Mississippi State

Another game, another blowout, and another offensive master class for Nick Saban and Alabama. The Crimson Tide improved to 6-0 on the season, crushing Mississippi State by a final score of 41-0 on Saturday.

The Tide have now averaged 47.1 points a game this year. After scoring 38 points at Missouri in Week 1, they have scored no fewer than 41 in the 5 games thereafter, including 52 against Texas A&M and 63 at Ole Miss.

It was a show-stopping performance for Devonta Smith, who made 11 catches for 203 yards and 4 touchdowns a week after fellow wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was lost for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury. Smith now has 31 career receiving touchdowns, tying former Crimson Tide great Amari Cooper and former Florida star Chris Doering for the SEC record.

It wasn’t all about Alabama’s offense, though. Saturday was also the first time an opponent has shut out a Mike Leach-coached team.

Following a bye week, Alabama returns to action on Nov. 14 as it travels to Death Valley to take on LSU.

Here’s what Saban said after the Tide’s latest win:

Nick Saban: "It's great to win at home, and it's great to win on your birthday. That was as good a present as anything."

— James Ogletree (@TheOgletree) November 1, 2020

Saban said Malachi Moore "got a stinger at the end of the game."

Miller Forristall and Slade Bolden are "a little nicked up."

Marcus Banks, who was in street clothes, pulled his hamstring, but "it's not that bad," per Saban.

— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) November 1, 2020

Saban on the Air Raid –
"I don't think we played the way they expected us to play. We did a lot of research this summer. We watched who did well against Washington State."

— The Crimson White Sports (@CWsports) November 1, 2020

Saban said Jones was prepared for a soft zone coverage that MSST played tonight.
"[We told him] this may be a check-down game at times, you can't force the deep throws."

— The Crimson White Sports (@CWsports) November 1, 2020

Saban's gameplan going into practice this week –
"You're gonna have to break on the ball and you're going to have to tackle in space. We made them practice it. We made them tackle runners high to get other guys there."

— The Crimson White Sports (@CWsports) November 1, 2020

"I think it's always a boost to have like Jaylen around," Saban said about having Waddle back with the team on the sideline.

— The Crimson White Sports (@CWsports) November 1, 2020