The University of Alabama has a different team this season under Nick Saban, and it has required help from everyone.
Coach Saban has had to balance when to go off versus calmly teaching guys, his staff’s had to be sharp, and Miss Terry has stepped in to make sure players are focused. Alabama has an unproven starting quarterback and new faces at significant positions; however, it has a chance to compete for a Southeastern Conference Championship. A victory over Louisiana State University secures the SEC Western Division for the Tide, but Saban wants one final ingredient to emerge again.
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Alabama’s fan base was a critical factor against Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The noise disrupted Joe Milton and the Volunteers’ offense in the second half. Tennessee got shut out and the Tide scored 27 unanswered points, propelling itself to a comeback victory. Alabama smoked out the field with a 34-20 victory, and Saban wants the same energy again in facing his former program. He challenged the fans on Thursday at his weekly radio show, “Hey Coach.”
“Our fans and our stadium can contribute to guys ability to do this tremendously. The energy and enthusiasm in the Tennessee game impacted the game tremendously.”
– Coach Nick Saban’s Final Word before LSU Game #RollTide | @AlabamaFTBL @MercedesBenz pic.twitter.com/zqgKwC4LFm
— Crimson Tide Sports Network (@UA_CTSN) November 3, 2023
“Our fans and our stadium can contribute to the guys’ ability to do this tremendously, ” Saban said about the influence Alabama fans can have on the players to perform well in Saturday’s meeting against LSU.
“The energy and enthusiasm you had against Tennessee … it impacted the game tremendously. It impacts the offense, and it also creates energy for our guys on the field. That momentum helps guys maintain intensity to play their best for 60 minutes.”
Will the fans rise to the occasion again to support Saban and the players?
We shall see as the SEC West is on the line between Alabama and LSU.
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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.
