After handling then-No. 22 Texas A&M for a 45-23 win last Saturday, top-ranked Alabama gets to take a breather before resuming its SEC schedule next week.
The Crimson Tide (4-0) will clash with Louisiana (1-2) at noon Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium in a game it’s currently projected to win by almost 50 points. But Alabama coach Nick Saban was still as focused as ever during his appearance on Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference.
Here’s what Saban had to say:
On the protection against the pass rush of Alabama:
- Playing pass defense is a team thing, we’ve always said that. Pushing the pocket, affecting the quarterback. Coverage is important too, and sometimes pressure covers up coverage issues, too. We have to do both well.
On two senior transfers leaving this week, will this become a trend?
- I think that it’s a slippery slope, not just for seniors but all players on a team. I think we have a responsibility to support the players athletically and academy, and they have an obligation to play. When players start to decide they will play or not, I’m not saying it’s not beneficial for some players, but it is what it is. The intent of the rule was to help young players, and this is an unintended part of the rule.
Do you have to change the way you have to coach now?
- If we had circumstances where players don’t do what they are supposed to do, whether that’s class or meetings, what are we supposed to do? When is it insubordination when one player won’t do what everyone else is supposed to do?
Is there anything specifically you remember about Louisiana coach Billy Napier?
- Ah, no … I always thought Billy did a really job of recruiting and was always a good personality to be around.
On offensive coordinator Mike Locksley
- He’s done a good job. He does a good job of organizing things for the offensive staff. … His leadership has been productive. … We have things we would like to do better on offense, and we will work on those things.
Does it still surprise you to have so many passing yards per game?
- Not really. The way football is now, if you give up 400 yards passing you might get fired the next day, but it happens pretty regularly now. I think that’s due to RPOs and things like that that favor open offense. … I don’t think it’s a bad thing. … We are only third in our league in total offense.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
