Nick Saban Reveals Alabama Players Weren't Their Usual Selves Before LSU Game
By Chris Russo
Despite only losing by five points, it was clear Nick Saban and Alabama were outmatched by the LSU Tigers in Week 11.
Well, the Alabama head coach has offered some explanation into his team's mindset ahead of the matchup. Saban says his team was acting abnormally prior to their 46-41 loss to now-No. 1 LSU, and that made him nervous.
Nick Saban on radio show: Said he was nervous about his team before LSU game, players weren’t acting like they normally do
— Christopher Walsh (@BamaCentral) November 15, 2019
Saban said on his weekly radio show Thursday that his players had a quiet and "nervous energy" in the locker room prior to LSU's shocking upset in Tuscaloosa.
That's certainly not the energy you'd expect from a college football giant such as the Crimson Tide, and Saban's comments revealed a surprising lack of confidence from a team so accustomed to being the top dogs in the nation.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire's 4th TD of the night for @LSUFootball happened because of his "heart, determination and will." @ReggieBush breaks down the play in Reggie's Run of the Week ? pic.twitter.com/y52doto85r
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 14, 2019
Tua Tagovailoa was not 100% healthy for the clash, which limited his mobility in and out of the pocket. While he still managed to throw for 418 yards and four touchdowns, he had a couple of costly turnovers.
Meanwhile, Alabama's defense surrendered a whopping 46 points, by far the most they'd allowed this season. They allowed Joe Burrow to waltz all over them for 393 yards and three scores.
Based on Saban's comments, it sounds like Alabama lacked a chip on its shoulder. LSU entered the matchup looking for its first win against Bama in eight years, and the emotion from Ed Orgeron after the game shows just how much the team was looking forward to taking down their rivals.
The same cannot be said for the Tide.