Nick Saban discusses Alabama’s attitude entering Sugar Bowl

The Alabama football team arrived in New Orleans late Monday morning to begin five days of preparation for Saturday’s Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

After a three-day holiday over Christmas, Nick Saban continued to provide positive reviews of his team’s approach to the bowl game.

“Players have given me a really good attitude about how they approach the game and what they do every day in Tuscaloosa,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll be back later today and ready to play a great game of football.”

This is the second time Alabama has missed the college football playoffs this season since 2019, and only two seasons since the start of 2014. 14 teams in the final rankings for that season.

This time, No. 5 Alabama will face No. 9 Kansas, who won the Big 12 Championship Game.

“I’m looking forward to playing against a very good opponent here at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Probably one of the best matchups we’ve had in any game this year outside of the playoffs,” Saban said. . “So I have a lot of respect for my opponents.”

This will be the first meeting between the Tide and the Wildcats.

“We’re going to fight an old-school, tough, very disciplined, well-coached, really good team. There’s no easy way to prepare for a team like that. This month, After the first of seven practices for Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama attended Saturday’s 11 a.m. CT kickoff at the Superdome and had no players opting out, though 12 scholarship players departed through the transfer portal.

For the remaining players, Saban outlined goals that still exist besides winning a national championship.

“We’ve shown our players what they need to do to play winning football and how it’s worth it when you show them that they can go out and play with discipline. We have tried to have the proper respect for what we do, and we don’t make mental errors that can do and really hurt the team,” he said. “Because if we can do these things in a positive way, there will be value in the future as well.

“So we worked hard on that. I think our team has finished the season in a very positive way over the last three games. can do.”

A coach from Alabama said he had a “very fun” Christmas day with his family, including his grandchildren.

“It’s really hard for me to buy,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s an excuse or reality. So either I get a sweater or socks, or you can guess what else.”

Mike Rodak is an Alabama Beats Reporter for Alabama Media Group. follow him on twitter @Michelodac.