No football team has ever just talked its way to winning a game. That does not reduce the avalanche of words that accompany every important Alabama football game. Fans anxious to divine clues from what coaches and players say slog through much meaningless muck to gain any real insight.
This week is huge for Alabama Football. Maybe not totally, but Saturday night's outcome could practically mean no Playoff path for the Crimson Tide. Eight consecutive wins would have to follow a loss to Georgia for Alabama to be a Playoff contender.
Alabama's historical dominance over the Georgia Bulldogs will not provide a win on Saturday night. Fortunately, neither will Kirby Smart's 50-1 record in Athens, going back to the 2017 season.
Equally inconsequential to the game's outcome is that Kirby Smart is better at public communication than Kalen DeBoer. Smart sometimes sounds like Nick Saban. DeBoer mostly cocoons himself in coach speak.
Words are valuable. They can define meaning and broaden knowledge. At times, they can inspire others to boldness, even greatness. We ask too much of coaches and especially players to be oracles.
Sound words for Alabama football players
Occasionally, the words heard from coaches and players are meaningful. An example comes from Alabama Football quarterback Ty Simpson. Simpson was asked what messages he is giving to younger players about battling the Georgia Bulldogs. He said, "The SEC is the hardest conference in college football. Every game is going to be like this. But also, it’s all about us. Don’t make it higher than what it is. It’s two good teams going after each other." Don't make it more than it is, is sound advice, and as a team leader, Simpson's words can impact the entire Alabama Crimson Tide roster.
Alabama football fans worried about how close Jam Miller will be to 100% against the Bulldogs can take confidence from another Ty Simpson statement. "That man… he practiced like a wild man today. He was just happy to get out there. It’ll be exciting to get him back. He’s my roommate, my guy since freshman year. He’s chomping at the bit to get out there and play. He gives our offense confidence knowing that a leader of our team is back playing and healthy."
Kane Wommack commented on the Georgia game that is perplexing. Wommack said, "I thought at times, we have been a team that has been reactionary to adversity, and we have to be more responsive. It’s at the forefront of our minds." Maybe I'm quibbling because insufficient football knowledge keeps me from appreciating Wommack's words. But to me, 'responsive' in terms of football is close to being the opposite of attacking. Responsive does mean being quick to react, which is important in football. But it does not mean initiating an action that drives an outcome. A defensive attack mode carries risk, but against a physical Georgia team, my preference is an Alabama defense that attacks often rather than responds.