Nick Saban sends strong message to the fans ahead of Texas A&M game

Many thought Saturday would be the game of the year. CBS even decided to use their lone night game of the season for the broadcast. While expectations may not be high, results-wise, for Alabama–Texas A&M, it’s still a big game for head coach Nick Saban.

The seven-time national champion sent out a message to the Crimson Tide fans ahead of the game, saying they can make a real impact. He called for a “tremendous atmosphere” at Bryant Denny Stadium, for multiple reasons. Not only for the Alabama player’s sake but also to affect the Aggies.

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“I think what the fans can do is create a tremendous atmosphere in the stadium,” Saban said. “Our players appreciate it. If affects the other team. It makes it more difficult for them to maintain momentum in the game when the fans are really into the game. Regardless of what’s happening in the game, you got to play for 60 minutes, like the players do…

“How it impacts the game is the most immediate thing the fans can do to really help. I think this is the one that we really need to get fired up for. All of the fans. They help our team and maybe affect the other team that can help our team.”

Tuscaloosa is no stranger to a big-time game, hosting top-quality SEC opponents on a weekly basis. This Saturday may feel different though after Saban’s offseason fun with Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher.

Nick Saban says crowd can help with recruiting too

One of the top rules in college football is ABC. Always be ‘crootin. That’s what Saban was thinking for his second point, saying the atmosphere at Bryant Denny Stadium will help with high school prospects visiting the program.

“I also think there are a lot of indirect things that great fan support and a great stadium affects,” said Saban. “Like, we will have a tremendous amount of recruits. We’ll have guys making official visits, we’ll have a lot of unofficial visits.

“We’ll have a lot of people here who will come away from this game and the brand and the feeling that they have and the spirit, is something really, really special that they remember and want to be part of. So, it’s not just the game itself. It’s all of the indirect things that great stadiums, great fans, great atmosphere sort of create for the program.”

Alabama has a monster list of recruits in town, with On3’s BamaInsider having a tracker going. While recruiting has never been a weakness of Saban, an atmosphere like the one that could be in Tuscaloosa on Saturday is a huge reason why.