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Nick Saban: TAMU game week is ‘not the time to relax or be satisfied’

By Ronald Evans

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 8: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Head Coaches Press Conference on January 8, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 8: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Head Coaches Press Conference on January 8, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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Nick Saban is the ever-vigilant sentinel guarding against complacency. On Monday, Saban said TAMU game week is ‘not the time’ for Alabama football ‘to relax or be satisfied.’

Nick Saban’s Monday press conference showed none of the irritation evident in Nick’s Ole Miss post-game comments. On Saturday Saban was dismissive of any suggestion a 66-3 win, following a 59-0 win meant Tide dominance over future opponents.

When he began Monday by saying TAMU game week is no time to be relaxed or satisfied, Saban was being sincere. Should the Aggies beat Alabama? Probably not. Could they? Absolutely.

Nick Saban hates losing more than he loves winning. That perspective drives a guarded focus on any potential threat. Make no mistake Kevin Sumlin’s team is a threat. The Aggies are No. 14 in the FBS in Rushing Offense, No. 15 in Rushing Defense, No. 18 in Offense First Downs and No. 26 in Time of Possession. And Sumlin’s team is one point short of being 5-0.

Saban Press Comments

Saban called TAMU the strongest team the Tide has faced this season. Check out these other Saban comments about the Aggies.

  • Christian Kirk is maybe the most explosive returner, receiver, runner in our league.
  • John Chavis always does a good job of playing aggressive, physical football.

Commenting on injuries to Da’Shawn Hand and Trevon Diggs, Saban said,

  • Hand has MCL strain, doubtful for Texas A&M and maybe more games. Trevon Diggs has a foot injury and is questionable for Saturday.

In responding to questions about his own team Saban said,

  • (On red zone success) We use tempo down there to help us get the other team off guard a little bit.
  • (On the block that injured Hand) The guy just cut him. If it’s illegal, we should eliminate cut blocking. I have been an advocate of eliminating them (cut blocks)
  • (On Jalen Hurts) we have been working with Jalen Hurts on keeping his eyes downfield even when scrambling, he did a good job on Saturday.
  • (On scoreboard watching) We have an old saying, ‘Out of yourself and into the team.’

More on the Aggies

Commenting on the Aggies loss to UCLA after leading the game 41-10, Saban said,

  • It can be a galvanizing thing for your team … They’ve responded and played well.
  • The way college football is now, you got to keep scoring on offense.

The entire press conference is provided courtesy of 247 Sports.

The entire video is worth a watch. Saban discussed the appreciation he and the players have for Ronnie Clark and also acknowledged the importance of the Alabama football team trying to support ailing children and bereaved families.

Next: 10 Best Crimson Tide QB's of All-Time

Jalen Hurts is destined to make the Alabama football ’10 Best QB’s List.’ Hurts has 46 total touchdowns, running and passing, placing him in a tie with Mark Ingram at No. 5 on the Tide’s All-Time list. Only a catastrophic injury will keep Jalen from moving to No. 2 on the all-time list this season. He needs just 13 more touchdowns to move past Ingram, Shaun Alexander, Harry Gilmer and John Parker Wilson. A.J. McCarron is No. 1 with 80 touchdowns.

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