Nick Saban knows the importance of urgency for a team.
He coached the University of Alabama football program for 17 years.
Saban knew how to win in good moments, but he also understood how to pull a team up from adversity. Alabama is in a tough spot under Kalen DeBoer as the Crimson Tide has two regular season losses before November for the first time since 2007.
RELATED: Alabama AD appreciates Tide supporters for ‘buy in’ mentality to Kalen DeBoer, regardless of two losses
College Football Playoff aspirations for the Tide are hanging on by a threat, but the dream is not dead. Alabama has to win-out convincingly the remainder of its schedule and possibly get help from others to lose. Saban stated on ESPN’s College GameDay his biggest message to the team against Missouri. The 72-year-old mentioned the focus should not be necessarily on winning.
“They have to worry about getting back to playing to the standard,” Saban said about the Tide.
“If they play to the standard with the talent that they have, they will come out on top.”
Saban is preaching the same message to this team as the fans have. Alabama must return to a relentless standard of excellence to show the CFP Committee it belongs in the 12-team playoff. We will see if it happens against Missouri.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
