Nick Saban opens up on Alabama's spot in College Football Playoff rankings
On Tuesday, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee revealed its first 2023 CFP rankings, which included Alabama at No. 8. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” head coach Nick Saban addressed the Crimson Tide’s initial ranking.
“It really matters where you end up at the end in the last poll, if you can get in the top four,” Saban said. “The only way you enter the top four is to play every game that you have remaining to the best of your ability and the best way to do that is to focus on the things that you need to do every day in practice, to create the right habits, techniques — whatever you want to call it — so when you get in the game, you’re not thinking about it.
“You’re just out there playing hard and executing and doing what you need to do to help your team win. I think that’s the most important thing to do at this stage in the season.”
Alabama has executed lately. Since falling to Texas in Week 2, the Crimson Tide have won six straight games. Nonetheless, they can’t slow down now. On Saturday, Saban and Co. will face off against No. 14 LSU.
Alabama must tread lightly. A loss won’t only affect the Crimson Tide’s CFP ranking, it will entirely eliminate them from CFP contention. Alabama is all too familiar with this feeling. LSU handed the Crimson Tide their second loss of the season last year in Week 10, squashing their hopes of an SEC Championship appearance.
Nick Saban keeps Alabama focused
For that reason and many more, Saban knows how vital it is for Alabama to keep its foot on the gas.
“Does the poll matter? Yeah, it matters,” Saban said. “But, it doesn’t matter until the end. Wherever you are right now does not really matter. What matters is how do you finish and how do you finish the season. And that comes one play at a time.”
Alabama should boast plenty of energy on Saturday. After defeating Tennessee on Oct. 21, the Crimson Tide soaked in a bye week. Saban used the time wisely to harden his team’s mind ahead of one of their toughest tests yet.
“When you play in games like this, to me, the most important thing is the other team is going to make some plays, and we’re going to make some plays. But we have to respond to the next play no matter what happened on the last play,” Saban said on Wednesday.
On Saturday, Alabama will square off against LSU at 7:45 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.