Alabama enters the final week of the regular season looking for a win against rival Auburn to assure a return trip to the SEC Championship Game.
Here’s a look at what Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban had to say in his weekly presser on Monday in Tuscaloosa:
On Charleston Southern game:
Nick Saban: I'm pleased with the way the players responded in the last game, and overcame human nature (to have a letdown).
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 23, 2015
On injuries:
Nick Saban on injuries: Kenyan Drake will begin doing individual drills this week. Dominick Jackson and Minkah Fitzpatrik will practice.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) November 23, 2015
On how Auburn is playing right now:
Saban: "Auburn is probably playing the best they've played all year. They've gotten better and better."
— Kevin Connell (@_KevinConnell) November 23, 2015
Saban: They do a really good job in the red zone. When you run the ball well, that's usually the case.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) November 23, 2015
On Auburn’s QB situation:
Saban on Auburn's QBs: I don't know who's going to play in this game, but we have to be ready for either guy.
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 23, 2015
Saban on Auburn's QBs: When both guys are healthy, there's not a lot of difference in the offense that they run.
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 23, 2015
Saban has said more nice things about Auburn's quarterbacks in the past 3 minutes than all of the Twitter-verse in the last 3 months.
— John Zenor (@jzenor) November 23, 2015
On Alabama passing game:
Saban on passing game: We've made some big plays in the passing game in each game, but we need more consistency Blocking, route running, etc
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 23, 2015
On Auburn RB Jovon Robinson:
Saban: Jovon Robinson call run inside, he can bounce it outside. He's played better and better for them.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) November 23, 2015
Saban said Auburn RB Jovon Robinson can run with power and has "make you miss" ability.
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 23, 2015
On Auburn’s style of offense:
"All these teams that run spread have run/pass options. They still do it and they still have them." Saban on #Auburn plays. #Alabama
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 23, 2015
Nick Saban said it's more about the plays #Auburn runs than all the different personnel groups. #Alabama #IronBowl2015
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 23, 2015
On the Iron Bowl rivalry:
Saban on the Iron Bowl rivalry: These are the type of games you appreciate as a competitor.
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 23, 2015
On Auburn DE Carl Lawson:
Saban says Carl Lawson is a very good pass rusher with power. "I think he's a really, really good player."
— John Zenor (@jzenor) November 23, 2015
On losing 2013 Iron Bowl at Auburn on “Kick Six” play:
Saban: I don't think what happened here two years ago is going to have any impact on this game.
— Tyler Waldrep (@tylerwaldrep) November 23, 2015
On Auburn DC Will Muschamp:
Saban on Muschamp: It's pretty evident that everywhere he's coached his mark is on that group … in terms of how they compete and play.
— John Zenor (@jzenor) November 23, 2015
Saban said Will Muschamp has made an impact on Auburn's defense. Said they've improved throughout the season as they've gotten healthy
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 23, 2015
Nick Saban on Muschamp: "He's trying to do the best he can with the players he has in terms of system." Sees some old, some new wrinkles.
— TideSports.com (@TideSports) November 23, 2015
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
