For Nick Saban, Wednesday was triply important. It was his birthday, Halloween and hump day for the Tide as it prepared for LSU.
For most of the college football world, Oct. 31 is special. Not because it is Halloween but because Nick Saban is officially another year older. Each of Nick’s birthdays fuel the hope the greatest coach in college football is not far from retirement.
The reality is Nick Saban is the youngest 67-year old in football, in body, mind, spirit and competitive fire. It is not hard to see him coaching another 5-7 seasons, maybe more.
There was pre-practice hoopla in the Alabama football athletic facility. Despite his crusty image, Nick Saban is generally revered by his players. Today in Tuscaloosa there was an Eagles-themed party. Nick is a big fan of the band’s music. There was a huge cake and plenty of hugs. Then they went back to work.
Work is what Nick does best. It is not known if he rushed out after the post-practice, short media session to participate in trick-or-treating with the grandkids. One thing is sure. Nick Saban handed out no treats to LSU in the media session.
He heaped praise on the Bengal Tigers again. He gave to clues about his own team and Saturday’s game. Perhaps in deference to it being his birthday, there were no injury questions from the media. Earlier in the day, Saban gave thoughtful non-answers to questions about Jalen Hurts and Devonta Smith. Again no treats for LSU.
The toughest question Nick had to face on Wednesday was about the kicking game. Saban was asked how the Tide punters had performed in practice this week. Nick’s answer was “very well.”
Practice Tidbits
- Based on media reports and the video in the tweet below, it is safe to say Devonta Smith and Jalen Hurts are not 100 percent. The video seems to show OC, Mike Locksley kidding Jalen about being gimpy.
.@AlabamaFTBL QB @JalenHurts a bit more mobile at today's practice, but it continues to be a process as that high ankle sprain has been tough to shake.#BAMAvsLSU #BAMA@SEC pic.twitter.com/KKsabUB6BY
— Rick Karle WVTM 13 (@RickKarle) October 31, 2018
- Wednesday is typically the second day of full pads each week. The norm is if a player is not near 100 percent on Wednesday, he will not play on Saturday. LSU week may test that norm.
- The brief media viewing periods the last two days indicate Deonte Brown has regained the left guard starter role he held in the Tennessee week. Lester Cotton worked with the first unit on Monday, but it was Brown with the first group on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- One more note from this week. For now, Chadarius Townsend is working at cornerback rather than wide receiver. Townsend has considerable athletic ability. Getting him on the field on either side of the ball, at some future point is a good idea.
Getting back to Nick’s birthday. Check out this tweet, from our FanSided colleagues,
https://twitter.com/FanSidedU/status/1057692850505289729
Check in with us often, Crimson Tide fans. We have a lot coming up for the next couple of days leading up to the big game.