Nick Saban calls out to Alabama fans ahead of game vs. Southern Miss

Alabama head coach Nick Saban called out to Alabama’s fans for their support ahead of their game Saturday against Southern Miss. With Alabama playing at home this week, Saban wants to ensure their home field advantage means something to the team.

Saban wants fans there for Southern Miss game

Saban seemed to be aware of potential trip-ups for his number one ranked football team ahead of their fourth game of the season. With a home game against Southern Miss, Saban wants to see Alabama fans support their home team and bring energy to his players.

“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.”

Controversial ranking for Alabama

Sports Illustrated reporter Pat Forde recently ranked Alabama as his No. 4 ranking in his Week 3 standings. Paul Finebaum of ESPN gave Forde a chance to explain his rankings on his college football program.

“I think the Alabama fans who call after you hang up will be pestering me for explanation and probably wanting your home address,” Finebaum said on the Paul Finebaum Show.

Forde ranked Georgia, Oregon, Penn State and Alabama the top-four teams in the country after last weekend’s slate. Alabama beat Florida on the road 31-29 in the Swamp Saturday after coming in as a double-digit favorite.

“It was a heck of a game,” Forde said. “If you’re Alabama and Nick Saban, you’re sitting there this week saying, ‘We gave up 258 yards rushing yards, to anyone?’ I mean that is a very, very rare thing. The last time they gave up more than that was to Ezekiel Elliott and Ohio State in that very memorable playoff loss.

“So, you go back and look at your defense, which, I know they’ve some injuries, is still supposed to be the strong suit of this team and say, ‘We gotta get better against the run,’ because there are some other teams in this league that can run it, too. So, that’s the concern there. That’s why I’ve got Alabama No. 4 in my poll because while it was a good win in a tough environment against a better team than we thought, it still exposed a little bit of weakness in Alabama.”

Nick Saban had a similar assessment of his defense, saying his defense “didn’t execute.”

With a little help from fans, Nick Saban’s team should be ready to execute against Southern Miss.

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this article.