Alabama Football: Nick Saban lays out what to expect against LSU

On Monday, Nick Saban laid out what to expect as Alabama football prepares for LSU, including some observations about the Bengal Tigers.

For Alabama football, the preseason is over and for Crimson Tide fans the real fun begins with LSU week. Nick Saban opened the week’s preparation speaking to the media on Monday. Saban even admitted this week is “basically a new season.”

As always, Saban talked about the challenges his Alabama football faces in the next game. This week, when he praised the opponent, Crimson Tide fans listened more intently than normal. The Alabama Crimson Tide has looked GREAT in 2018 but claims of “great against a weak schedule” ring true.

The combined record of the eight, 2018 teams beaten by the Tide is 29-36. The big wins for Alabama football have come against TAMU and Ole Miss, both with 5-3 records. Compared to that schedule going up against LSU feels like moving up to play an NFL team. How good are the No. 4 ranked Bengal Tigers? Let’s review what Saban said on Monday.

Nick Saban comments on LSU

• “They are very elite in a lot of ways.”
• They are “not like any LSU team we have played in recent years in terms of what they are doing on offense … fastball and open formations.”
• On defense, LSU is “the biggest and most physical front we have faced this year.”
• Devin White is “as good a linebacker as there is anywhere.”
• Because of the LSU defensive front, Nick said, “I think it’s going to be a challenge (for the Tide O-Line) in this game to get movement.”
• Nick spoke highly of the LSU defense and specifically mentioned their “multiples on third down (that include) dropping eight men into a zone.”
• Saban was very complimentary of the LSU receivers. He tried to be the same talking about LSU QB, Joe Burrow. About all Nick could muster was Burrow is “effective and athletic enough.”

Nick Saban comments on Alabama Football

• Against LSU, “we will find out a lot about who we are.”
• Jalen Hurts “has made a lot of progress,” these type of injury recoveries are generally “7-10 days” and Jalen will throw in Monday’s practice and will be “day-to-day” going forward into the week.
• On Tiger Stadium and Tua: ” Tua has the mental makeup to stay in the moment … important in that atmosphere.”
• Maybe the most important quote of the press session was “I feel really good about the bye week work we were able to get in.”

Draw your own conclusions, Alabama football fans. To us, Nick Saban sounded very confident. Check out the full media session below.

We are gearing up for a big week in the run-up to the LSU game. Check in with Bama Hammer often as we follow all the details of LSU preparation.