Five Things The Alabama Crimson Tide Can Improve On For 2014
By Chris Hale
Oct 19, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban paces the sidelines against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Complacency with a lead
Alabama fans don’t want Coach Saban and crew to run the score up the way Steve Spurrier’s Florida teams did a few years back. There’s no need to embarrass your opponent on the field unless it’s Auburn or Tennessee. Style points are a thing of the past. But sitting in the fourth quarter with a comfortable lead is a thing of beauty for the fans, and is also a good thing for their state of health.
Most of us realize that the staff won’t be as aggressive with play calls as they were during the first of the game, but some intensity after the team has a comfortable lead would be a nice thing to see. Whether the first string players are out there during the last moments of the game, or the backups have entered to get some experience and reps, let them loose a bit and let them show some tenacity on the field. Keep the speed of the game going, but still try to keep the players injury-free.