Nick Saban expects Alabama to make defensive change against Indiana in Rose Bowl
By Jacob Moss
Published:
The crew of College GameDay was on site at the Rose Bowl on Thursday in anticipation of the showdown between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Indiana Hoosiers in the Grand Daddy of Them All, and they went in-depth on what has become one of the most highly anticipated CFP games in recent memory.
Former Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban knows Alabama better than anybody not currently getting ready to hit the sideline, and he broke down what he expects to see from his former team on defense against a potent Hoosiers offensive attack.
“Alabama has been primarily a zone pass defense team,” Saban said on GameDay. “Look for them to play a lot more man-to-man in this game. They got to, because I think they’ll get picked apart [if they play zone].”
Saban built his illustrious career on his unparalleled defensive genius, so it stands to reason that he’s more than likely spot on in his assessment of the Tide’s chances against Indiana if they stick to their normal zone scheme against Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and company.
Alabama will have to find a way to slow the Hoosiers down, and if shifting to man coverage gives them the best chance to do so, then Kalen DeBoer and Kane Wommack will have to take that gamble in Pasadena.
