In case you haven’t heard, Iron Bowl week is upon us. The back and forth bickering of the two fanbases goes up a couple of notches this week as Alabama and Auburn prepare for their Saturday afternoon showdown on the plains.
Nick Saban held his weekly press conference on Monday afternoon to briefly recap last week and discuss how his team is preparing for the Tigers over the next few days. Coach Saban put a major focus on telling the media that Auburn has continuously improved this year and is playing their best football of the season right now. You can watch the press conference in its entirety on TideTV. Here are some of the things he mentioned during his time at the podium:
– Saban said he was happy to see cornerback Cyrus Jones win SEC special teams player of the week.
– Running back Kenyan Drake will start doing individual drills this week. Said he is day-to-day.
– Right tackle Dominick Jackson and nickel back Minkah Fitzpatrick were both back at practice
– Backup linebacker and special teams player Keith Holcombe was limited with a sprained knee, but Saban is hopeful he will be back for Saturday.
– Saban called the Iron Bowl one of the great rivalries in college football, said it means a lot to people around the country.
– Coach Saban said that Auburn is probably playing the best they’ve played all year, said Gus and his staff have done a great job.
– Saban called it a challenge for Alabama, called Auburn an all-around good team
– Said he does not know which Auburn quarterback will play and that the defense needed to be ready for either one. Said both were very capable in that offense.
– Saban said he wants to see more consistency in the passing game with less negative plays.
– Called Auburn running back Jovon Robinson quick, explosive and powerful. Said both running backs (Robinson and Roc Thomas) do a great job in the Auburn offense.
– Saban said he was pleased with development and production by linebacker Reuben Foster this season
– Said defensive players need to be disciplined and prepared for Auburn’s run-pass option plays, like the one that tied the game in 2013.
– Saban said it will take the best effort of the year for Alabama to win this rivalry game.
– Said the coaching staff has put a big emphasis on trying to finish the year better. Want the team to have better fitness to keep the team fresh.
– Saban called Jordan-Hare Stadium a difficult place to play but no different from anywhere else Alabama has played.
– Called Kick-Six outside noise; has no effect on this season’s game.
Caleb Turrentine is a contributor at Touchdown Alabama Magazine. Follow him on Twitter, @CalebTurrentine.
