Is Alabama in a position to gain a convincing win over Kansas State?
Coach Nick Saban sounded excited about the Allstate Sugar Bowl at his radio show in New Orleans.
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He has an opportunity to earn his 11th victory of the season. The Crimson Tide got a chance to play in a prestigious bowl site, despite suffering two defeats in the regular season. Alabama could have had several draft-eligible players opt out of the matchup; however, everyone decided to compete at Caesars Superdome. Saban has a team that is all in, regardless of players lost to the transfer portal, and we could see the best the Tide has looked all season versus the Wildcats.
“This has been the most enjoyable bowl practice experience we have ever had,” Saban said Thursday. “I’ve ever had. Bowl. I mean, the playoff teams are always ready to roll… Sometimes, it’s like pulling teeth [with teams that don’t make the playoff].”
Saban said, “all the blinking lights are gone.” He was referring to a broken light on a Christmas tree that distracts from the beauty of the tree, but in football terms, Alabama has a team that is locked in.
“When you have guys on your team that I call them energy vampires … those are the kind of guys that don’t end up playing in bowl games and don’t end up making the best choice and decisions for the team because they’ve got other motives, which I am not being critical of. But this team has really worked hard and done well,” Saban said.
Several names, including a few young players, have stepped up for the Tide in bowl prep.
Alabama looks to jump into next year on a good note with a victory on Saturday.
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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.
