Nick Saban talks Alabama freshman class, impact on run to CFP

Alabama had some star freshmen step up big this season — and in the Cotton Bowl Friday night. Nick Saban sure has liked what he’s seen.

Kool-Aid McKinstry had five tackles in the game and Dallas Turner had a sack. Those are two freshmen who have played well for Alabama all season, and Saban said that playing time will pay off in the long run.

“Those guys have played really well for us,” Saban said after the Cotton Bowl. “Kool-Aid played well tonight, Dallas has played well ever since Drew Sanders hurt his hand. So I’m really pleased with the way those guys have developed, but you know, it means something to those guys. Those guys are very committed to trying to be good players, trying to learn, trying to grow, watching other players and how they do things and how they need to work and practice to prepare for a game.

“I think that’s why they made the improvement and the progress that they made, and now that they’ve played some, I think they have some confidence, as well, and I think that’s invaluable, especially at this point in the season.”

Even though they’re freshmen, they’ll appear on college football’s biggest stage on Jan. 10 during the College Football Playoff national championship. It’ll be a familiar opponent, too: No. 3 Georgia.

Nick Saban strikes surprising tone following Alabama’s commanding win over Cincinnati

Alabama is on its way to the national championship. The Crimson Tide took down Cincinnati on Friday night in the College Football Playoff semifinal, winning 27-6. Following the win, Alabama head coach Nick Saban was thrilled with how Alabama players stepped up against Cincinnati.

“I was elated with the way a lot of these guys played,” Saban said. “We have confidence in the players when they get an opportunity. And I think every time that they get opportunities they learn more and more not only about what they need to do, but how they need to prepare so that they can go in the game and play with the confidence and not make mental errors, do their job well. I think those things are really, really important.”

Alabama has needed players to step all all year. With John Metchie out with a knee injury and multiple players on the offensive line banged up, Saban knew that other players would have to step up if Alabama wanted to beat Cincinnati. That is exactly what happened on New Year’s Eve.