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What is college football without Nick Saban and company kicking off the first Saturday in the 2015 college football season under the lights of AT&T Stadium in Arlington versus #20 Wisconsin? Alabama is ranked third.
Alabama, with a rebooted roster and a head coach looking for back to back College Football Playoff appearances, will take on seven preseason Top 25 teams, as the SEC has eight teams in the preseason Top 25.
Just because Saban’s group lost big names like TJ Yeldon, Blake Sims and Amari Cooper doesn’t mean that his offense has to start from scratch. Senior running back Kenyon Drake, junior running back Derrick Henry, (Alabama’s leading rusher in 2014) and a defense featuring seven senior starters will trot out on the field for the Crimson Tide in Jerry World on Saturday night.
“I know our players look forward to having the opportunity to play in a great facility, against a great team in a neutral site.” Saban stated, “This is exciting for our players and our fans.”
One thing Alabama fans are worried about going into this season is who will take the majority of snaps for the Crimson Tide at quarterback. The depth chart reads that senior Jake Coker is first in line; however sophomore Cooper Bateman’s play has made the quarterback decision a tough one for Saban. He didn’t quite tip his hand when discussing his QB ruling.
“We’re going to try to make the decision on what is best for our team, and that’s exactly what we are going to do, what we feel like is going to give us the best opportunity to win.”
In 2014, Alabama finished the season 12-2, ninth in the NCAA in yards, 16th in points per game, and fourth in points allowed per game. However, Saban says he doesn’t plan on putting too much pressure on the new players.
“The more important thing is to not ask players to do what they are not ready to do or what they can’t do, so I think the more important thing is to do is to allow to player to do what he is capable doing.”
Saturday night’s game will definitely not be a cupcake, as Wisconsin, who lost in the Big Ten title game, but defeated Auburn in overtime in the Outback Bowl, finished their season 11-3. The Badgers, starting the season ranked 20th, were the 13th ranked defense last season, and 12th in yards gained on offense.
Kickoff from Arlington, Texas will be at 8 PM ET on Saturday, airing on ABC.
Click below to listen to Alabama coach Nick Saban’s comments:
