Alabama Football: Saban talks Sugar Bowl and return of injured players
By Ronald Evans
Nick Saban participated in a Sugar Bowl teleconference Sunday afternoon. Nick provided some details on the status of key Alabama football players for the semi-final Playoff game.
Media coverage of the CFB Playoff semi-final between Alabama football and Clemson ramped up quickly Sunday. The Sugar Bowl conducted a Nick Saban teleconference, followed later by another session with Dabo Swinney.
In the midst of a busy recruiting weekend, Saban made time for national media, Saturday night and Sunday. He pointed out he did not ask to appear on ESPN to lobby for his team. He said he was glad to speak for his team because they deserved to be chosen.
ICYMI: Jimbo Fisher to the Aggies means more respect for the Tide
On Sunday, Saban expressed his satisfaction and excitement for the Alabama football team being involved in the Playoff and the Sugar Bowl.
"the Sugar Bowl is always been something that’s been special to Alabama, it’s always been something that’s special to the SEC."
Alabama football has played in 15 Sugar Bowl games (plus the 2012 BCS Championship) including four games (five if adding the BCS win) that led to Crimson Tide national championships. Alabama has been in the most Sugar Bowls throughout the game’s history, going back to Tulane Stadium in 1945. Nick Saban also has a 2004 Sugar Bowl win that led to an LSU 2003 national championship.
The Status of Injured Players for the Clemson Game
Saban said the Tide practice schedule is not yet firm, but practices will begin around December 15th. Three Tide players, tight end Miller Forristall, linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton and safety Hootie Jones will not be available for the semi-final Playoff game.
Defensive lineman, La Bryan Ray will not be cleared to practice by December 15th. Ray broke his foot in mid-November. Saban said he hoped Ray will be able to return to practice after Christmas. Adding Ray to defensive line depth would be a plus in the Playoff run.
Of particular importance to Tide fans, the three injured linebackers, Mack Wilson, Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis, who saw limited action against Auburn should be near full-speed for the Clemson game.
Later in the Clemson teleconference, Dabo Swinney recalled his special memories about the Sugar Bowl as an Alabama football player. The 1993 Sugar Bowl win that gave the Tide the 1992 national championship was Dabo’s last game as a player.
Next: 30 Greatest Games in Alabama Football History
Ryan Fowler, host of The GAME on Tide 102.9 made an interesting point on the Playoff and the record of the Tide’s senior class. “The senior class has lost five games in four years by a total of 35 points. Ohio State lost one game in 2017 by 31 points.”