Is Alabama still the standard in college football?
National media is struggling with this question. The Crimson Tide loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game to finish 2021, and some fans believe Nick Saban does not have his vintage Tide team. During an episode of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith and a panel that included Paul Finebaum have Alabama losing to Tennessee this weekend.
RELATED: ESPN First Take crew has Tennessee upsetting Alabama football
Some say the Tide is not dominating teams as it used to under Saban. Others have handed the baton to the University of Georgia as the new king of college football. Will Anderson Jr., a veteran outside linebacker, spoke to Finebaum on Wednesday.
As a leader of the Tide, Anderson pays no attention to the media. His focus is on capturing a national title.
“At the end of the day, we’re still the standard.”
– Alabama LB Will Anderson on locking in amid criticism of the Tide this season. pic.twitter.com/x2DM6emOKi
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) October 12, 2022
“I never find out what the media says until I do media interviews or talk to someone on TV,” Anderson said about his response to the media discussing what’s wrong with Alabama. “I think we do a great job of not focusing on that stuff. We are the ones that have to play. We are the ones out there sacrificing our bodies and doing what we need to do to win games. Every win may not be a blowout, but at least we are working hard. The effort is great. We have some mental errors, but we are still Alabama as a team.”
Anderson said Alabama has some stuff to work through, but it is ‘still the standard.’
Tennessee is looking for its first win over a Saban-coached Alabama team in 16 tries.
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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.
