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What CNS said and didn’t say in first Alabama football, Sugar Bowl presser

By Ronald Evans

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks during a press conference after the Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks during a press conference after the Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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Alabama football deplaned onto a chilly New Orleans tarmac Wednesday and the first order of business was a Nick Saban press conference.

The first rule of thumb for understanding a Nick Saban, Alabama football press conference is, don’t expect surprises. It matters not the questions, Nick Saban will say only what he chooses and what he chooses will be carefully calculated. Which is not to say that in a Saban review nothing can be learned.

The media sessions, like every practice, every drill, every play in every game are serious business. Saban basically acknowledged that on Wednesday when he said his teams are more serious about winning than the “bowl” experience.

Despite considerable distractions, being serious in New Orleans is essential. Playing Clemson for the third straight season in a rubber match means no looking ahead to a national championship opponent.

Most people, even in cold weather would enjoy stepping off a plane and being welcomed by a New Orleans second line. Nick did not appear to even notice.

Saban described playing in CFB Playoff games as being “like dogfights.” From that perspective, he is correct in there being no time for frivolity.

Other no-surprise comments from Nick

  • Dylan Moses, Hootie Jones and Shaun Dion Hamilton will not play.
  • Nick was more vague about LaBryan Ray playing, saying only that Ray has been able to practice.
  • In an attempt to gain a less serious response from Nick, Laura Rutledge asked if he got what he wanted for Christmas. Nick’s response was he got “the same three pairs of socks I get every year.”

Any clues from Nick about the Clemson game?

Shocking no one, Nick said he expects a “difficult” game against Clemson. Every serious college football fan in the nation expects the same. What Alabama football fans want to know is how Nick plans to overcome that difficulty.

Nick was not interested in thoughts about the game having a “revenge” factor. He clearly believes the issue is whether the Tide plays up to its own standard. That did not happen in last season’s national championship game and did not happen in this season’s Iron Bowl.

Speaking about the Tide’s last game, Saban said,

"“I think we lost our identity in the last game. We forgot who we were… Your identity as a team starts with how you finish.”"

Alabama football fans will quickly ask if Nick means calling more running plays against Clemson. Of course, such detail was not shared by Nick. Several Alabama football insiders have suggested recent practices indicated Saban wants more physically dominating football from his team. Does that portend offensive scheme adjustments? Nick is not saying.

Next: 30 Greatest Games in Alabama Football History

Our past 30 ‘Greatest Games’ post needs one addition. We will wait for a couple of weeks in hopes it will need three additions.

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