Rewinding Alabama’s Week 1 presser: QB battle ongoing, Saban previews MTSU

Published Aug. 28, 2023, 11:30 a.m.
By Nick Alvarez |
Wake up, it’s game week. Alabama football starts the 2023 football season this Saturday against Middle Tennessee.
To kick off the festivities, UA coach Nick Saban met with the media on Monday afternoon amid looming questions about the depth chart and starting quarterback. Here’s how Saban previewed Week 1.
--The “biggest challenge” for the 2023 Tide will be to create an identity, Saban said in his opening statement.
--Saban hyped up Middle Tennessee, noting MTSU’s win over Miami and seven other wins last season. The Blue Raiders also have an “aggressive” defense and overall, will be a “challenging team” for Alabama to open against.
--Saban decried depth charts and said it “creates a lot of distractions” among the team when players see who’s listed with the first-team groups. It’s the first season in Saban’s 17-year tenure where a depth chart didn’t accompany the Tide in Week 1.
--Junior DeVonta Smith is dealing with a foot injury, Saban said, and would otherwise be in contention for playing time with the Tide’s safeties. Caleb Downs and Jaylen Key were also noted as contributors.
--If Alabama wants a more physical run game, as its offensive linemen have hinted at in the preseason, it’ll be up to the OL, Saban said.
--MTSU’s ability to make explosive plays offensively means the Tide will need to play some man-to-man defense and “mix it up” with different coverage looks whether it be pressing or dropping back.
--Saban discussed how “instincts take over,” regardless of what position you play when asked about the keys to being a good blitzing player. There’s a mix of coaching and player instinct that comes into play in those moments. He likened trench players to wrestlers, making the right move at the right moment.
--”This game is important for us. ... And the fans can make an impact on that,” Saban said about getting the opportunity to host Week 1 in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
--”I think Jalen has made a significant amount of improvement,” Saban said of Milroe, specifically noting the consistency Milroe has shown inside the pocket.
--When asked about the potential of playing multiple quarterbacks in Week 1, Saban didn’t touch on it. Instead, he reiterated what he’s said throughout the preseason: the competition doesn’t stop against the Blue Raiders.