Alabama head coach Nick Saban recently spoke about the annual rivalry game between Alabama and Tennessee, highlighting the importance of consistency and competitive maturity. Saban emphasized the significance of maintaining a high level of performance regardless of the circumstances. He also mentioned that the team has played well when they approach the game with an edge and a bit of upset. The comments come as Alabama prepares to face Tennessee, a team they haven't beaten in back-to-back years since 2003-2004. Saban's remarks shed light on the team's mindset and approach heading into the highly anticipated matchup.
Alabama and Tennessee have played 104 straight years, the longest continuous series in the Crimson Tide record books. That streak could end after next year if the SEC adopts a scheduling model that appears to be gaining momentum.
Only three times since 1959 has Alabama played Tennessee when neither was ranked. Those years were -- according to Alabama's media notes -- 1968, 1984 and 2000. Both are ranked this year.
Alabama's last home loss to Tennessee came Oct. 25, 2003. That final 20 years ago was 51-43 in overtime.
Alabama and Tennessee can't even agree on the series record from this rivalry. Alabama's count: Crimson Tide leads, 59-38-8 Tennessee's count: Crimson Tide leads, 59-39-7
Nick Saban to @PatMcAfeeShow: "We have played well when we're a little bit upset and have an edge to us, and that's something we have to go into this game with. I thought we played the [Tennessee] game last year with a lot of anxiety. There was a lot on the line. A lot of guys… https://t.co/uHi7wuIDUj
Nick Saban on @PatMcAfeeShow: "I love coaching this team. They've got good relationships. They like each other. They support each other. But there's some competitive maturity -- not getting relief syndrome in game, and being able to play for 60 minutes -- that we still need to… https://t.co/nPK1kCEBsb
Everything that Nick Saban said on Wednesday of Tennessee game "We want to be successful. I think success is probably defined by how consistent you can be in terms of the way you perform, no matter what it is that you're trying to perform." https://t.co/g6nJua6PNL https://t.co/O8Pk0fnEBi
Saban: "This is the hump time of the season. You've either got the mental toughness to be able to sustain it and get over the hump or you don't."
Nick Saban: "Eight games in a row is a grind, psychologically and physically for everybody. ... This is the hump time of the season. You've either got the mental toughness to sustain it and get over the hump, or you don't."
Nick Saban says both Malachi Moore and CJ Dippre have practiced. "If they continue to progress like they have, they got a good chance to play, but nobody can predict that right now."
1. Tennessee hasn't beaten Alabama in back-to-back years since 2003-2004. 2. And no one has doubled-up Nick Saban at Alabama in damn near a decade. https://t.co/7ghMOlvTpH
Nick Saban asked about Alabama-Tennessee annual game ending if SEC adopts 7+1 format: "I think that's happening all over college football, where you're going to have these great rivalry games that players, fans, everyone in programs, sort of, look forward to that are not going… https://t.co/RmoTc1Ward