Alabama Football: Nick Saban Monday update for Ole Miss game and TAMU week

Alabama football coach, Nick Saban kicked off TAMU week with a review of the Ole Miss game, including Player of the Week awards.

Nick Saban was reserved at the Monday presser which signifies the start of Texas A&M game week. He acknowledged the good performance of his team against Ole Miss. The top players as chosen by the Alabama football coaching staff are listed below.

One of those top players was Christian Miller. The senior linebacker was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his five tackle, including 2.5 sack performance against Ole Miss.

Players of the Week (POTW) – Ole Miss Game

Offense – Damien Harris, Jerry Jeudy and Jonah Williams

Defense – Christian Miller, Deionte Thompson and Quinnen Williams

Special Teams – Joseph Bulovas and Josh Jacobs

Nick Saban Monday Comments

• Saban reported a “couple of players” might be limited in Monday’s practice but there were no “significant injuries” in the Ole Miss game.
• Asked about a similarity between the TAMU offense and last season’s FSU offense, Saban said the two are much the same. He also said TAMU is a “completely different type of team than they’ve been in the past.”
• As always, Saban is sparing when passing out praise of Alabama football players. When prompted by questions, he acknowledged good play by Deionte Thompson, Xavier McKinney and Trevon Diggs.
• Nick also said Jalen Hurts has improved as a passer and is better in the pocket.
• On TAMU, Nick said they are similar to Louisville in running a lot of “multiples and different formations.”
• As is customary, Nick praised opposing players. From TAMU, he mentioned QB Kellen Mond and RB Trayveon Williams. Williams currently leads the SEC in rushing yards (and is No. 6 nationally) with 399 yards and 6.8 yard carry average.
• Cecil Hurts posed a question about rat poison. Nick chose not to elaborate on the term. He provided a more measured response.

"The standard of excellence cannot be affected by outside voices … This is like climbing a mountain, the higher we get the harder it gets. This is the hardest team we’ve faced."

Video of the full presser is included in the tweet below, compliments of WVTM TV.

Will TAMU provide the first real test for Alabama football this season? We’ll spend the week considering how much improvement Jimbo Fisher has accomplished with the Aggies.