Nick Saban: Alabama fans 'cannot take for granted' Crimson Tide talent

Nick Saban has called out Alabama fans once again, stating the Crimson Tide fan base cannot take the team’s talent for granted.

“I’m not trying to be negative, but we cannot take for granted that we’re always going to have a great team,” Saban said on the Hey Coach & The Nick Saban Show.

Saban asked fans to do their part to make sure Bryant-Denny Stadium is the toughest place to play in the country.

“I don’t want anybody to say it’s tougher to play someplace else rather than here,” he said.

Saban continued.

“I’d appreciate that from everybody if we can do that,” he said. “I’ll do the best I can to get these guys to grow and develop, but let’s everybody be a part of the team.”

Saban’s plea to fans comes just one day after he called out the fan base to show support ahead of Saturday’s matchup in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“We need to play at our standard, we need to do the things that we do well,” Saban remarked on how they were approaching the upcoming game. “It’s always great to play at Bryant-Denny Stadium, to be home — I’d like to see our fans have some passion and enthusiasm and energy for this team. I think it would be helpful to them.”

Following up his call for the fans to bring their support against Southern Miss, Saban explained that he felt his players were handling their business the right way in practice. Saban’s players are ready, he just needs his fans to complete the effort.

“We’ve had a pretty good week,” Saban continued. “I think the players were really good today in terms of their focus and what they’re trying to accomplish and what they’re trying to do. So we’re excited about the opportunity to have a game at home.”

Alabama has had just one home game through the first three weeks of the season, hosting Mercer in Week 2, after defeating Miami in Atlanta to open the season. The Crimson Tide survived a scare from No. 11 Florida 31-29 in Gainesville last weekend. .

In the win, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young completed 22 of 35 pass attempts for 233 yards and three touchdowns, finding running backs Jase McClellan, Brian Robinson Jr. and tight end Jahleel Billingsley for touchdowns. 

In his first season as the starter, Young has been efficient through his first three starts. The former five-star from Mater Dei (California) has thrown for 811 yards and 10 touchdowns, with no interceptions, completing 68% of his passes.

Though Young has lived up to the hype through the first two weeks, there are concerns elsewhere for the Crimson Tide. Saban was displeased with his defense’s execution in the win and wants more consistency from Young’s receiving options moving forward.

With a stretch of conference games on the horizon, Alabama will get a chance to shore up some deficiencies against Southern Miss on Saturday.