Nick Saban is already in game-day form.
During Thursday’s first airing of “Hey Coach” for this season, he went on an epic rant to the media about overlooking the importance of Alabama playing Utah State. The Crimson Tide opens the 2022 campaign at Bryant-Denny Stadium against a school that is not a marquee college football power. Utah State won 11 games last year, including wins over two Pac-12 schools, but Alabama fans are used to the neutral site games versus big-name institutions. Reporters are wondering who can beat Alabama and can the Tide run the table to a national championship. Media pundits are focused on Alabama’s matchups with Texas, Texas A&M, and games that draw eyeballs. Coach Saban wants the fans to be positive and create a winning environment, but he wants reporters to focus on what is happening now. He had a lot of respect for Utah State upon opening his mouth with this statement.
*Saban starts his rant on the media and fans overlooking Utah State at the 1:07:21 mark
“You contribute to it positively,” Saban said about Tide fans creating a positive environment. “These guys write all the time about how can Alabama run the table. Can’t you figure out something better to do? We have to play one game at a time. How can Alabama lose to this team? How can this team beat Alabama? And this is three months from now. Who gives a s—-? How about this game? Can we focus on what is happening now?”
Saban has gone on many rants when fans and the media have overlooked opponents on Alabama’s schedule.
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He uses these moments to get his team’s attention. Utah State is not Virginia Tech, Clemson, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Miami, or any other teams the Tide normally faces to open a season. However, the Aggies are a good team with several returning starters on offense and defense. Utah State will throw a lot at Alabama, Saban wants his guys to be prepared.
The Aggies want to spread Alabama’s defense out and attack its secondary.
The matchup will be at 6:30 p.m. CT via SEC Network.
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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.
