Alabama football has sole possession of first place in the SEC West.
Despite holding Mississippi under 30 points, Nick Saban was irate coming off the field.
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During an interview with Jamie Erdahl of CBS Sports, the Crimson Tide’s head coach feels like Alabama does not play a complete game.
Regardless of a dominant first half, the team did not finish strong. Coach Saban has stated this twice, starting with Miami. Alabama held a 28-0 lead over Ole Miss at halftime. The Rebels converted more third downs in the second half, and penalties from the Tide allowed it to score 21 points.
Whether the calls made were questionable or not, it bothers Saban to see Alabama not have a complete game. He wants this moment to serve as something the team can build on.
The Tide has Texas A&M next week and other challenges on its regular-season schedule.
Saban knows that it could be costly if the group can’t get sustain an all-around performance.
Fans wanted a shutout, and judging by Saban’s body language, he wanted it too. He kept reiterating the same message in his postgame presser.
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“If there is a negative in the game, it would be we gotta learn how to finish,” Saban said.
“We did not finish the game like we wanted. Not making a fourth-down, letting them (Ole Miss) score, not executing some things at the end of the game, but it’s a great win. I hope that we can build on this. The guys can build on the things they did well, understand the things they need to improve on that they did poorly so that we can continue to make progress as a team.”
Is this team capable of playing for 60 minutes? It has the talent; however, we need to see the discipline.
Everyone in college football is aiming at Saban and the Tide. He knows it and is trying to get players to understand it. Alabama covered a -14.5 point spread and won 42-21, but Saban demands excellence. He is the greatest in the sport for a reason.
Texas A&M will have a hostile atmosphere at Kyle Field; however, it is another chance for Alabama to earn a complete game.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
