The Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the Oklahoma Sooners in the CFB Playoff semi-final game on Saturday and Ross Pierschbacher feels veteran leadership is key.
Pierschbacher is the starting center for the Crimson Tide. He is a senior, who graduated in December. He feels that is important to keep the younger Tide players on track during their time in Miami as this is a mission trip.
“It is something totally different than what they have experience,” Pierschbacher said. “The way they treat you when you play in a bowl. You get all this gear and gifts and it is all part of their endorsement. It is important for them to remember this is a business trip and not a vacation.”
Alabama has been to the college football playoffs five years straight. Pierschbacher has experienced four of those trips. His wealth of knowledge comes from those moments, but the atmosphere in Florida makes the Orange Bowl different.
“It’s the weather, It is beautiful Miami,” Pierschbacher said. “It can be a lot of distractions, especially for younger players.”
The Tide will depend on their entire offensive line to protect their quarterback and to make holes for their runners as they may have to put up a lot of points as they face an explosive Oklahoma Sooners’ offense. Although, the Tide’s defense did have something to say about people predicting the game will be a shootout.
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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
