Saban: Alabama ‘pretty starving’ after missing CFP

Alex Scarborough, ESPN Personnel WriterJul 19, 2023, 01:27 PM ET

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• Covers the SEC.Joined ESPN
• in 2012.
• Graduate of Auburn University.NASHVILLE, Tenn.– Reflecting on

last season, in which Alabama missed the College Football Playoff for just the 2nd time in 9 years, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said his team succumbed to high expectations, which caused a sense of anxiety and caused a lot of psychological mistakes.”I don’t believe I did a great job of getting the most out of

that team,”Saban informed ESPN.But Saban kept in mind at SEC media days on Wednesday that he has seen a various mentality forming inside the locker space as Alabama approaches the start of preseason camp.Editor’s Picks 2 Related”I believe we have a pretty good mindset on our team,”he said. “Our team seems to be quite hungry this year and inspired

.”Offending lineman JC Latham told ESPN that he has actually heard the chatter about how” Alabama’s altered”and”

the dynasty is over. “Georgia gets in the season as back-to-back national champs and the wagering preferred to win a third title in a row. Alabama, on the other hand, is coming off a season in which it lost two regular-season games and saw LSU win the West and complete in the SEC championship.”You’ve got to block out the outside sound but comprehend at the same time I take it as extremely rude,”Latham said.” … You’re essentially stating me and my men aren’t good enough and saying that someone out there is better than us. I take that genuine personal. I understand how hard we work. I know we put in countless hours blood, sweat, and tears, literally, to be the best. “So when somebody says that it resembles you do not know how difficult we’re working for this. So I believe with this team

, we’re going to surprise the world.”Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry looked at the doubt as “fire power “to “make us work harder, going harder in the weight room,

everybody getting in the playbook more.” Outdoors linebacker Dallas Turner was advised of the reality that considering that Saban got here, no player has gone more than 2 seasons without winning a championship game. Turner pointed to his ring finger and nodded in acknowledgement.”You already know, “he said.”It’s simply motivation. Hearing all the critics, all the things about not winning national championship, it’s all motivation

.”Saban lauded new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees as”among the brightest young people … in the business”and noted enhancement at numerous key positions, consisting of receiver and running back.Although this might be a less knowledgeable lineup than last year, Saban stated that young players tend to have more enthusiasm, which is helpful to group chemistry.But Alabama will be without

former Heisman Prize winning quarterback Bryce Young, who was picked No. 1 in the draft. That leaves a QB competitors amongst Tyler Buchner, Jalen Milroe

and Ty Simpson.”We have 3 guys that are contending for that position today, “Saban stated. “All of those players are improving, and it is necessary for us that all those players improve.

I do not think any person has really separated themselves yet to this with the and I do not think it’s something that we are attempting to rush.”Saban utilized the example of baking a cake and how, if you take it out of the over prematurely” it will turn to mush.””So I believe we have to sort of let this establish and ensure we let the cake bake until somebody separates themselves,”he said.”All the players are working hard. They all have a great mindset. They are all competing well.”

The key to figuring out the winner of the competitors, Saban stated, will be consistency and leadership.Whether Saban names a starter prior to the seasons remains to be seen, however.Alabama opens up versus Middle Tennessee State prior to a pivotal house game versus Texas.The Longhorns almost

upset the Tide last year in Austin, losing on a basket with 1:19 left.”Undoubtedly it was a truly close, tough game last year when we played that game,”Saban said.”I believe they are doing an exceptional job of recruiting and establishing the players on their group and it

‘s going to be a genuine challenging game, no doubt, because they have a lot of starters back

and they have a great deal of experience coming back and a knowledgeable quarterback.” So we anticipate them to have an outstanding team.”