Alabama’s poor play provides Nick Saban motivational tools for Texas A&M

Aug 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban addresses the media after the 2013 Chick-fil-A Kickoff game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama won 35-10. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban made it well known before the season that he was not a fan of having a bye in week two of the season. Shortly after Alabama’s 35-10 win over Virginia Tech, he may have changed his mind.

The scoreboard will show a seemingly easy victory, but the stat line will show anything but. Only 11 first downs, 200 total yards on offense, and an offensive line that didn’t mesh all day. Luckily for Alabama fans, aside from one broken run, the defense was solid, allowing 212 yards total but only 135 after the 77-yard touchdown run by Trey Edmunds in the 1st quarter.

Also helping Alabama fans relax was a guy by the name of Christion Jones, who returned a punt, kickoff and caught a 38-yard pass for touchdowns.

Looking back at this game, Alabama fans should realize that their team just played a hard-nosed Virginia Tech squad. Their M.O. has been defense, and with nine returning starters and a defensive coordinator who has been at the school since 1987.

It should be expected that the Crimson Tide offensive line would struggle, as they are trying to replace three offensive linemen who were drafted into the NFL last season. That takes time, and after seeing this game, they should have a good idea of what they need to shore up before they travel to College Station in two weeks.

Alabama fans have been spoiled by greatness. Since 2009, we have watched as the Crimson Tide reeled off a 50-5 record, including three BCS National Championships and two SEC championships. So naturally, fans are going to feel entitled. We expect Alabama to simply show up and roll over anyone they face. A 25-point win over the Hokies on Saturday afternoon only gave Alabama fans more reason to complain.

The good news for Crimson Tide fans is that Nick Saban is the head coach. He is going to push the team to be better, and he’s not going to accept an average effort out of the Crimson Tide.

After the game, Saban was clearly disappointed in the offensive line, and I’d have to bet that the entire team will play better in two weeks when they take the field. Nick Saban and company will have two weeks to prepare for Texas A&M.

If there is anything you can take away from Saturday’s action across the SEC, it is that Alabama’s defense looked as tough as ever, and the Aggies defense struggled to contain a Rice offense that finished 44th in the nation last season. Alabama is not the only squad that has kinks to work out, but if history is a factor, I wouldn’t want anyone but Nick Saban at the helm to get these problems ironed out with two weeks before their next game.

Alabama didn’t need any extra motivation to want to win their next game, but perhaps a lackadaisical effort offensively is just what Nick Saban needs to get this teams attention right where he wants it for the rest of the season.

For now, we can enjoy being 1-0 on the season, being ranked first in the nation, and trust that the Alabama Crimson Tide staff knows exactly what they need to do to win their next game.