Alabama turning its attention to Florida State
Game on?
Not quite.
Alabama football coach Nick Saban said after Thursday’s practice that the top-ranked Crimson Tide have started preparations for their Sept. 2 showdown against No. 3 Florida State in Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It is the biggest opening matchup in college football history in terms of the rankings.
“I don’t think we should have to try to motivate our guys,” Saban said Thursday evening in a news conference. “I think everybody has a tremendous amount of respect for Florida State. They certainly have an outstanding team coming back.”
The Crimson Tide worked out for two hours in helmets and shoulder pads in their 19th of 25 preseason practices.
Saban was asked if preparing for Florida State is unique from other teams. The Seminoles won the Orange Bowl last season and have three national championships in the last quarter century.
Only Alabama has won more during that time.
“The thing Florida State does well is that they have great players, and they do a great job of developing their players,” Saban said. “They have a system, and they do an excellent job of executing. It’s a little bit more traditional, and I think that’s a good thing, because they beat you with execution.
“They’re not a spread team. They have RPOs (run-pass options), but they don’t live and die with them.”
Saban said Josh Jacobs continues to battle a hamstring injury and he doesn’t want to rush the sophomore tailback back into action. The 5-foot-10, 209pound Jacobs rushed for 567 yards and 6.7 yards per carry last season.
His absence would leave juniors Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough and
true freshmen Najee Harris and Brian Robinson available at running back for the opener.
“We have two guys who have a lot of experience, and we have two freshmen who have a lot of ability,” Saban said. “Probably one of those two players who are freshmen will have an opportunity in the game.”
Tide tidbits
Saban said freshman Jedrick Wills is “in competition” with redshirt sophomore Matt Womack for the starting role at right tackle. … Senior punter JK Scott continues to handle long field-goal attempts and kickoff chores, according to Saban.