Nick Saban has a reputation for being prepared for upcoming opponents.
Very prepared.
AL.com’s Joseph Goodman received the opportunity to chat with the men that sit through Saban’s infamous pregame meetings that include going over every meticulous detail of the upcoming game.
What he reported from those discussions was fascinating.
“Ninety percent of what we talk about never comes up, but 10 percent of it does,” said Kirby Smart, Alabama’s defensive coordinator. “When it does, you’re ready and you make a good decision based on the preparation.”
The discussions includes not only the team the Crimson Tide may be playing and every last detail Saban can squeeze out of past meetings or game film, but also the officials involved in the game and what their tendencies may be in terms of calling penalties versus swallowing the whistle.
Alabama offensive line coach Mario Cristobal commented that Saban does not want to allow human nature to impact the outcome of the football game, and his remedy for that is ensuring that his staff and team are prepared for every possible scenario.
“Every single bit of the game is covered down to how many umpteen [helmet] snaps the equipment guy is wearing on his belt,” Cristobal said. “There is an emergency plan if a guy’s helmet pops off. Whatever it is, you better be ready.”
Goodman’s report also quotes Smart, who was recently hired as the new head coach at Georgia, as saying that being apart of those meetings for the last decade is why he believes he is better prepared to be a first-time head coach.
There’s no question that Saban will have his team prepared for Michigan State on Thursday night after what happened in last season’s College Football Playoff.
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.
