Alabama Football: What Nick Saban said and what it means after MSU win

Alabama football coach, Nick Saban had a lot to say after the Tide beat Mississippi State. Check out what he said and what we think it means going forward.

The Alabama football shutout of Mississippi State drew mixed reviews across the college football world. The Alabama Crimson Tide defense was recognized for its second straight shutout. There was an undercurrent theme of Tua Tagovailoa proving himself mortal, vulnerable to injury and a solid defense.

Most of what circulated in tweets was predictable. The “Crimson Tide won ugly” was the most common. Alabama football has made “college football boring” was another often stated lament. Nick Saban was demonized for trying to score again late in the game. Of course, the “Alabama hasn’t played anybody” complaints were dredged up again.

Closer to home, even inside the fervent, Alabama football fanbase, there were a few rumbles. Some Tide fans worried Tua is and will not be healthy enough to lead the Tide to another championship. More than a few loyal fans questioned how the Crimson Tide offensive line could be both great and terrible in the same game. Was it really caused by the departure on an injured Deonte Brown?

The best quick review of any game comes directly from Nick Saban. Video of his post-game media comments is included at the bottom of this post. First, we provide a summary of Nick’s main comments, with some observations (shown in bold) about what those comments may mean going forward.

Nick Saban – Mississippi State Post-game

•  “I think in this day and age, you not only get judged by on if you win, you get judged on how you win… I never thought I’d be in a position to talk about style points.” – Nick could not care less about winning ugly. He cares about how units of his team perform in pressure situations. Late in the game, Nick tried to score on fourth down because he wanted to see how his offensive line would perform in that situation. 
•  Tua could have gone back in the game if we needed him to. … I think he’s okay.” –Tua was hurt in the game at least twice, either aggravating his knee problem or hurting a broader area around the knee. Technically, Tua is hurt but not injured, and no one (including Saban) knows how healthy he can be in a week, two weeks, or three weeks.
• Deonte Brown left the game with “turf toe… may be an issue for next week.” – Turf toe can take months to heal depending on how severe. Deonte may not be near 100 percent for the next three games.
• “Tua got hit low a few times today.” – Nick is not pleased with the hits Tua is taking.
• On Josh Jacobs gaining 97 yards on 20 carries, “Josh was a demon on a couple of those runs today.”
• Nick Saban also said he is “very proud” of the defense.

It is now a three week run to another SEC Championship. First the scrimmage against The Citadel and then another Iron Bowl that doesn’t much matter before the upstart Dawgs in Atlanta, again.