29 August, 2017
The marquee games. The biggest matchups on the largest stage. Saban said Monday he's getting treatment and is "day to day" for Saturday's opener for the top-ranked Crimson Tide against No. 3 Florida State. It's no surprise that "Bama is favored since they have been every game since October 2015, but the -7 opened some eyes". Josh Rosen and the Bruins benefit from friendly surroundings at the Rose Bowl in this return game after losing last year's opener in Texas in OT. FSU also has the pedigree of success producing pros and a wealth of talent returning to make a run at a national title. But if Florida State can pull off the upset, Jimbo Fisher's squad will become the early favor to win it all this season.
Yes, even loaded Alabama has questions going into a new season.
Fisher believes some of the surplus of hype comes from the fact that there's been an entire offseason to think and talk about it.
Freshman forward Taylor Morgan was recognized as the SEC Freshman of the Week after notching the game-winning goal and her first game-winner for the Crimson Tide. "None of that is going to matter to how this team develops their identity and their ability to conquer adversity", Saban said.
"This is a completely different team", Saban said.
This really is nothing new to Alabama, which will have played No. 4 Washington, No. 2 Clemson and now No. 3 Florida State in college football's version of Murderer's Row. That said, in their last five non-conference games, the under is 4-1. The Tide is favored by a touchdown.
"We're still gathering information", Saban said as part of his opening statement. The Aggies also lost their top two tacklers, so they'll be leaning on new leadership on both of sides of the ball in a game featuring a pair of head coaches (Kevin Sumlin, Jim Mora) whose seats will get scalding hot immediately if their teams fail to perform here. Saban - and apparently Hurts - just choose not to buy into the hype.
Alabama had seven defensive players taken in the National Football League draft, including three in the first round, but still should be stout on that side of the ball.
Then again, in this case, that would mean ratcheting up their play. The Hawkeyes have some issues in the secondary with two key starters having graduated and top returning corner Manny Rugamba suspended for this opener.
Fisher could have just as well been describing his own team in praising Alabama. "Have big guys, dynamic guys and playmakers across the board".
"It's in the rearview, but the thing about a rearview mirror is you can see it", Hurts said.
NOTE: Alabama defensive end Raekwon Davis wasn't at practice during the media viewing period Monday. A Sheriff's department spokesman described the injury as minor. "That's how a lot of first games are", Saban said.
