Saban: ‘Future is now’ after ‘fixable’ Tide mistakes

Alex Scarborough, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 11, 2023, 01:58 PM ET

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• Covers the SEC.Joined ESPN
• in 2012.
• Graduate of Auburn University.Alabama coach Nick Saban revealed a sense of seriousness on Monday as his team seeks to rebound from a 10-point loss at home to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday. “The future,”Saban stated,”is now.

  “The Crimson Tide, who dropped 7 areas to No. 10 in the Associated Press Top 25 college football survey, will dip into South Florida on Saturday, but Saban spent the majority of his Monday news conference looking back at the loss to the Longhorns, which snapped what had been the longest active home winning streak in FBS at 21 games. “I don’t think it’s any huge trick or anything that we did not perform on a constant adequate basis,”Saban said.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated He harped on a number of problem areas: a lot of turnovers

  , a lot of charges,

  too many psychological

  mistakes on defense and inadequate pressure on the opposing quarterback.On defense, Alabama didn’t sack the quarterback as soon as, missed 7 deals with and gave up 6 catches of 20 or more lawns.

  On offense, the Crimson Tide balanced just 3.06 yards per rush and enabled pressure on the quarterback on 46.2% of dropbacks.Quarterback Jalen Milroe threw two long goal passes– a 49-yarder to Jermaine Burton and a 39-yarder to Amari Niblack– however he likewise had two expensive interceptions.The offense as a whole, Saban said, appeared to lack an identity and was”too hit-or-miss”in regards to creating huge plays.Saban said the focus is”100% on how we get it turned around,” putting the onus

  on the coaches as well as the players.”I think all these things are fixable, “he said.” We have good players.

  “Saban compared the loss to a test early in the term– one that they didn’t” grade out well”on.”So what are we going to do to get a better

  grade?”Saban asked.”I would be stunned if this team didn’t react in a favorable way.”Alabama will resume SEC use Sept. 23 in the house against No. 17 Ole Miss.