Nick Saban gives ominous warning on motivation ahead of Texas A&M

Alabama head coach Nick Saban gave an ominous warning about motivation ahead of his team’s road matchup against a reeling Texas A&M team.

“I think it’s really important for players to be able to generate their own ‘want-to’ when it comes to goals and things that you want to accomplish relative to your team, your season and your own personal performance,” Saban said on Wednesday. “I think that you’ve got to sustain that every day — and I know that’s difficult — but that’s something that’s a challenge to each and every one of the players on our team.”

Many expected Texas A&M would be entering Saturday’s game as one of the top teams in the SEC, but instead, Texas A&M sits 0-2 in conference play with back-to-back losses against Arkansas and Mississippi State.

“It doesn’t always have to be because somebody disrespects you from the other side or you get motivated for some external reason,” Saban said. “It really should be all about internally what you want to accomplish, what you want to do. Everybody’s got to respect winning: what it takes to win, the kind of preparation, the kind of work ethic in practice, the kind of habits you gotta create so that you have an opportunity to do that.”

Nick Saban praised Texas A&M, saying Jimbo Fisher’s team is “one of the best teams” they’ve played this season from a personnel standpoint. Saban added he believed Texas A&M was the best team in the SEC last season. The Aggies returned 15 starters off last season’s team.

Alabama enters Saturday’s game as the No. 1 team in the country, coming off a decisive win against Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels.

Saban closed his opening statement on a somber note. Fuller Goldsmith, an aspiring chef, who contributed to Alabama’s nutrition program passed away this week. Saban stated Goldsmith had been battling leukemia since 2007.

“I think that I’d just like for (Fuller’s father) Scott and his family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we’re very saddened by his passing this week,” Saban said.

Alabama will be seriously lacking depth at linebacker on Saturday. Linebacker Drew Sanders, who was serving as a replacement for starter Christopher Allen, is “probably out,” according to Nick Saban, with a hand injury.

Sanders had come into form of late for Alabama, posting 20 tackles, one tackle for loss, two pass breakups and four quarterback hurries in the past four matchups. He stands at sixth on the team in total tackles, and he’s tied for first in quarterback pressures.