What Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said about upcoming matchup with Alabama
Alabama has another big-time matchup on the schedule this weekend as the 10th-ranked Crimson Tide will play host to No. 16 Vanderbilt at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC).
On Wednesday afternoon, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea joined the weekly SEC coaches teleconference to share his thoughts ahead of this weekend’s game.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Makhi Hughes
Oregon RB's future takes turn
- 2New
Diego Pavia, Johnny Manziel
Go in depth on friendship
- 3
Lane Kiffin
Reacts to Finebaum Senate talk
- 4Hot
SEC Football
Ranking teams from first to last
- 5
Ranking every Power 4 QB
Surprise No. 1
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Here’s everything he said about facing Alabama:
Overall thoughts on the game…
“Yeah, this is Week 6 of a 6-week stretch to open the season for us. I feel like our guys have handled that really well. Obviously, they’re really excited to play. We need to narrow our focus here in the next couple days just on the details within the plan. That’s ultimately where the game will be won and lost. It’s one where we don’t want to chase emotions on Saturday. We want to make sure that we’re operating and controlling the things we can control and anticipating out there, so we can win the battle for leverage and chase the result that we want. I’m proud of the way we’ve started our prep and very proud of this team. Looking forward to being out with them on the field on Saturday.”
On differences in last year’s Alabama offense vs. this year’s…
“I think it’s drastically different. There are elements of this and elements of the identity a year ago. But you have a new coordinator and a new quarterback, and the way they’ve built around that has changed pretty drastically. Last year, I think it was more about spreading out and giving the quarterback a chance to create. This year it feels way more like progression passing and almost kind of NFL-style offense. They’re running it really well. And man, what a credit to their coaching staff with a first-time starter at quarterback, who’s a coach’s son, and waited his time, and learned along the way, and is building confidence as the year goes. Between their guy and our guy, those are two of the best performing quarterbacks in the country, which makes Saturday’s matchup especially exciting.”
Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!
Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $11.99! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting, and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!
