No. 1 Alabama’s ‘machine’ faces Saban alma mater Kent State

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Kent State coach Paul Haynes has been on the other side of these powerhouse-versus-underdog games.

The former Ohio State assistant is bringing his team in to face No. 1 Alabama on Saturday as the David in this battle with a college football Goliath. He isn’t banking on catching Nick Saban’s team unprepared even for a game against a six-touchdown underdog while coming off an emotional win over No. 23 Mississippi.

“As a coach you worry about these as far as preparation,” Haynes said. “I think that’s what (Saban) has mastered. I think that’s what he does the best of anyone in the country, that it doesn’t matter who they play, they’re never out of the game and they always prepare a certain way. They don’t have choices. He doesn’t give them a lot of choices. This is the way they do it, and that’s why the machine keeps rolling the way it is.”

This game with Kent State (1-2) might be viewed as a respite for the Crimson Tide (3-0) after that 48-43 win over the Rebels, but it’s got a special element for Saban. He’s a 1973 Kent State graduate who played on the Golden Flashes’ only conference champion as a senior.

Tide players insist they’re not relaxing for this game, and not just because it’s the head coach’s alma mater.

Some other things to know about this game:

Waxing nostalgic

Saban said it’s been awhile since he’s been able to visit Kent State, but he speaks fondly of his time there, especially that championship season. Coach Don James talked a reluctant Saban into working as a graduate assistant, starting a coaching career that’s led to five national championships so far. At the time, he wasn’t sure he wanted to coach or go to graduate school. “There’s a lot of things that impacted my life in a very positive way because of the people and the relationships that were developed there,” Saban said.

Top defenders

Alabama’s not the only team with star defenders. Kent State safety Nate Holley’s 15.7 tackles per game ranks second nationally and he’s tops in solo tackles averaging nine a game. Defensive end Terence Waugh’s five sacks are tied for second in the nation.