Hey Coach With Nick Saban Radio Show Live Updates: Ole Miss
University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban was back live, in-person at his weekly radio show, 'Hey Coach,' from inside Baumhower's Victory Grille in Tuscaloosa with broadcaster Eli Gold on Thursday night.
During the first two shows of the year, Saban joined in via Zoom.
With a plexiglass barrier separating Gold and the Crimson Tide coach, he proceeded to dive into what the preparations have been like this week for Ole Miss on Saturday.
"It's been very challenging for the defense," Saban said. "[Ole Miss] is a fast ball team so this is always a challenge for the defense. It's very hard to simulate in practice ... We have tried to go fast against each other and done the best we can. We are not where we need to be as a team just yet. We need to focus on what we can improve, playing consistently, and I think to do that, you have to have the right mindset so it's gotta be important to you."
With Hurricane Delta set to arrive in Oxford over the weekend, likely a couple hours before kickoff, Saban believes it could give the passing attack for both teams an advantage.
"One thing I think people have a misconception about is it's much harder to play pass defense," Saban said. "Everyone says you won't be able to throw the ball if it's raining. If it's a bad field and it's raining, it's much easier to play offense and pass the ball than it is to play defense because the defense is at a disadvantage in reaction [time].
"Now, wind is probably the most difficult in terms of the passing game. It could also be a tremendous factor in the kicking game."
Saban reminded listeners of the 2015 Georgia game, which had sloppy weather conditions that the Crimson Tide are likely to face on Saturday. Alabama won that day against the Bulldogs, 38-10, in dominating fashion.
"I think the last time we played in a situation like this was five years ago in Georgia," Saban said. "Must have rained five inches. I mean, the wipers couldn't move fast enough to get the water off the bus when we were coming in. But it did not affect our team because of the mental toughness and the mindset we had that we could overcome anything. We looked at it like an opportunity.
"It will be interesting to see what kind of growth we have on our team relative to those situations and circumstances."
Here are some highlights of tonight's show:
- Saban brought up the 2015 Georgia game, where it was messy, rainy conditions like it will be on Saturday, and said that team showed great mental toughness to overcome adversity. He is interested to know how the 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide handle that this weekend.
- The Crimson Tide coach compared Rebels wide receiver Elijah Moore to Jaylen Waddle. "They utilize his skills really well." Also praised Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral.
- Saban just spent time touching on how important it has been to have continuity within his coaching staff this year. In seasons that the Crimson Tide lost multiple assistants, it took a hit on recruiting and the program in general according to Saban.
- Former Michigan State wide out Plaxico Burress is the reason why Saban does not allow freshman to speak to the media. Prior to playing Michigan, Burress said that during the game it would be "like stealing candy from a baby." Saban says he never saw a player get more hell than Burress did in his career.
- Burns asks what day is the hardest during game week for Saban and he says Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are all pretty challenging. He says he will watch roughly eight hours of film by himself in the lead up. Says it gets pretty lonely, which is why he wanted to get back to doing the radio show in person.
- Saban says he thinks it is easier to pass in difficult weather conditions rather than running the football. He mentions its a lot tougher on defensive backs to cover. Wind will be a 'tremendous factor' according to the coach.
- The advice given from meteorologists to Alabama and Ole Miss was 'later the better' in terms of the game time in Oxford. Earlier today, kickoff was moved to 6:30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. "The best case scenario, talking to meteorologists, was the later in the day the better," Saban said. "So, we'll see."
- Practice has been very challenging for the defense this week preparing for Ole Miss' up-tempo offense according to Saban. "We are not where we need to be as a team yet"
- Gold asks the coach about his new grandson, James, and Saban mentions he isn't exactly a litter guy right now. He could see him as a right tackle one day.
- Saban has now joined Gold in-person from Baumhower's. During the previous two shows this season, he has done it via Zoom. He says this is the only time he interacts with other humans outside of the football complex.
- Curry has joined the show, via Zoom, and mentions there is a special hunger with this group given how last year finished for the Crimson Tide, missing out on the NCAA tournament due to the coronavirus.
- Curry notes that senior forward Jasmine Walker has been lights out in practice recently.
- The newcomers are learning quickly according to Curry. Says that the depth is the most important aspect of the team right now since, last season, the Crimson Tide was dealt with a handful of injuries
- A schedule is not finalized, but the first game will be Nov. 25. Nine non-conference games and 16 conference matchups for Curry's squad. Mentioned that a schedule could come in a couple of weeks.
