He plays to the style Nick Saban loves, but even Will Anderson is only starting to understand his coach’s passion for ‘hateful competitors.’
Alabama is excited to take its performance from Vanderbilt on the road to Arkansas. After a tough test versus Texas, Anderson prepares to see the intensity of the Crimson Tide’s defense in a hostile environment. Coach Saban had many defenses in the past in Tuscaloosa that loved quieting the crowd of the opposing team. Alabama’s defensive groups in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2017 made opposing fans feel helpless when they entered the territory. The Crimson Tide endured some challenging road tests in 2021, including matchups against Florida, Texas A&M, and Auburn. It suffered a loss to the Aggies, but last season prepared Anderson and others to fight for a victory against Texas to open this year. The contest was not pretty, Steve Sarkisian produced an excellent game plan, Alabama played sloppy, but Saban’s team found a way to win on the road in a tough place.
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Anderson wants this group to have the mindset of old Crimson Tide defenses for road games.
He is excited about the opportunity to face KJ Jefferson, Drew Sanders, and the Razorbacks.
“We want fans to leave their stadiums,” Anderson said Tuesday about the mentality Alabama wants to have away from Bryant-Denny Stadium. “The message all week is we want fans to leave their stadiums. We will preach this all week. We are going to have fun and do our job, but we are making sure the fans are leaving by halftime or at least the end of the third quarter.”
Anderson left reporters with a quote that should scare Alabama’s opponents. He is a hateful competitor for one reason.
“I tell people all the time, the audacity for another team to step on the field is disrespectful to me,” he said. “People ask me what motivates me, and I tell them ‘the audacity for the fans to show up and the team to step on the field to play against us.'”
Anderson and the rising Alabama defense have to take down a confident Arkansas team. The Razorbacks suffered a defeat to Texas A&M, but Sam Pittman has the program in the right direction. Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will be rocking Saturday, but Anderson knows his defense can handle the atmosphere. We will see what happens this weekend on CBS.
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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.
