An eye-opening postgame interview after Alabama’s win over South Carolina came from a veteran defensive lineman.
Tim Smith, a fifth-year senior, knows what it takes to win. A former five-star from Florida, he arrived in the Crimson Tide’s 2020 signing class.
He watched names such as Mac Jones, Najee Harris, DeVonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, DJ Dale, Christian Barmore, and Patrick Surtain II work incredibly hard to propel Alabama to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a College Football Playoff National Championship.
Smith saw Nick Saban challenge the team every moment to be great.
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The 6-foot-4, 314-pounder is one of a few players from the 2020 team on this year’s group. He played well versus South Carolina, totaling four tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack.
Smith was active in the backfield all game, but he was not pleased with the lack of dominance in the victory. He said the win over the Gamecocks was not the type of win the team wanted.
“It should have been a lot more dominant and physical,” Smith said.
So, how does Alabama get the win it wants?
Smith responded with a message from a recent interview.
“It comes down to us being a player-led team,” he said. “There is only so much motivation the coaches can give us, but that comes within us playing for each other, understanding our purpose, and how intense we want to play. There is nothing spectacular to it.”
This is the second time Smith has stated Alabama needs to become a player-led team.
When will his message take root to everyone? Alabama fans are hopeful that happens this week in practice.
The Tide faces Tennessee on the road next.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
