The bright lights will be on Bryant-Denny Stadium this weekend for a primetime matchup.
Bryce Young pulled victory from the arms of defeat for Alabama football in 2022 against Texas. Nick Saban watched his group commit 15 penalties and its pass defense got torched. The Tide will not deal with the heat of Austin (Texas), but Steve Sarkisian brings an experienced team to Tuscaloosa, Ala. Sarkisian was Alabama’s offensive coordinator on its 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship team; however, he looks to take down Saban in week two of the college football season.
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Alabama knows how important Saturday’s game is as it will show where the Tide is as a team.
Jaheim Oatis, a defensive lineman, was a freshman in last year’s meeting.
He remembers the heat in Texas, but he also remembers the uncharacteristic mistakes the Tide had. On Tuesday, he told reporters the mindset Alabama has in hosting the Longhorns under the lights. The team is bringing a different mentality.
“We are coming to show them the ‘Bama’ standard from the defensive side,” Oatis said. “We want to show them who we are.”
He was asked about the difference between this Texas team and the 2022 group, but Oatis did not see a difference.
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“It is the same team from last year,” he said.
“They are still a good team. We have to have our A game this week and our A game in practice.”
After playing defensive end against Middle Tennesee State, it will be interesting to see where Oatis lines up against Texas.
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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.
