As the time for kickoff of the Cowboys Classic draws nearer, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is beginning to alter his practices towards game-oriented tasks with the gameplan in place.
“Everybody is sort of trying to do the mental practice we need to do to get the best possible execution we can in the game,” Saban said. “The players have had a real good attitude the past few days about preparing for this game. They’ve done a really good job of practicing, giving effort. We had a really good day today.”
Saban also said Alabama will have its walkthrough in Tuscaloosa before leaving for Dallas, but that the team will venture to the stadium to see it when they arrive.
In friendly territory
The Dallas area has its fair share of crimson and white, as the Tide in Texas alumni association chapter boasts over 1,000 members and a weekly football game watching party of roughly 125, sometimes peaking at 300.
“We have a great group there,” Saban said. “I’ve been there to speak twice now and we’ve had a great turnout both times.”
Saban also acknowledged the benefits of having a significant stake in Texas, not to mention a big-time game.
“They have a lot of good football in that area, there are a lot of good players that come out of that area and I think it will help in recruiting when we can get a player or two,” Saban said.
Alabama currently has five players from Texas, including three starters: defensive end Damion Square of Houston, kicker Cade Foster of Southlake and wide receiver DeAndrew White of Houston.
You again?
Although the Tide has not met Michigan in football since the 2000 Orange Bowl, which Michigan won by one point in overtime, Alabama is still going to go to battle against a familiar face: Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges.
Borges held the same position at Auburn from 2004-2007, where Auburn continued its streak of wins over Alabama to six in 2007. Auburn’s offense under Borges averaged 22 points per game against Alabama, with the highest total being 28 in 2005.
“We have a tremendous amount of respect for Al Borges,” Saban said. “He tries to give you new looks to confuse your players, but nothing to confuse his players because they still run the same plays.”
A family affair
The Sunseri family is now split across four states. Sal, the father, took his wife to Knoxville, Tenn., to be the defensive coordinator for Tennessee. While Vinnie remains at Alabama and his brother, Tino, continues his career at Pittsburgh, the family remains tight.
Vinnie thinks he’s the winner.
“Mom’s coming to my game,” Vinnie said. “I told her the rest of them she has to go see Tino because it’s his senior year.”
Vinnie gave his other parent some more authoritative advice.
“I told him not to wear (the orange pants that Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley does on gamedays),” Vinnie said. “He’s not allowed to do that.”
Vinnie said he does plan on watching his father’s debut as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator as the Vols take on N.C. State in Atlanta, Ga., on Friday.