Nick Saban kept things to a minimum at SEC Media Days, but his players brought the message.
The University of Alabama spoke first Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.
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JC Latham, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Dallas Turner accompanied Saban; however, Latham set the tone.
Alabama OT JC Latham takes on the question if Georgia is the “new standard” of college football.
“I respect the fact they won back-to-back national championships. I know that is not easy, but at the same time, their standard is not above our standard.”@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/qRx8GFRzan
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) July 19, 2023
A former five-star in the 2021 class, Latham is one of the alpha male players on the team. He is thoroughly enjoying the doubt, disrespect, and naysay national media is bringing to the Crimson Tide for the upcoming season. Latham, a Wisconsin native, wanted to say a lot, but he kept things scaled back just a little. He watched Georgia win back-to-back College Football Playoff National Championships from the Southeastern Conference as a freshman and sophomore. The 6-foot-6, 335-pounder respect what the Bulldogs have done, but he said its standard is ‘not above Alabama’s standard.’ College football fans believe the Tide is not the same dominant program it once was. Latham is excited about the fuel added to the fire and wants to prove them wrong.
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“I know we are going to compete, dominate, and do what we have to do to win,” Latham said. “I know we are going to win it all and go undefeated … so whatever anyone outside of our family says does not matter.”
Latham said he loves being an underdog.
JC Latham is by far the biggest alpha on this Alabama team for this team.
He said we can expect a PHYSICAL Alabama team this season. He has the Crimson Tide going undefeated and loves the disrespect that others are showing the Crimson Tide.@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/57yo2g9Rjl
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) July 19, 2023
“That fuels me,” he said. “When you guys don’t think we can do something or when people downplay somebody, I love the underdog story. Situations like this give me goosebumps because I get to prove who I am. If you are supposed to win and you win that’s great, but when you are not supposed to win and you overcome that, that is an even better feeling.”
Latham knows Alabama could have won a national championship in 2021 and 2022.
Georgia is viewed as the team to beat, but the Tide is coming for it in the fall.
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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.
