Nick Saban addresses Alabama's struggles in non-playoff games

Playing in bowl games is nothing new for Alabama head coach Nick Saban and his teams, as he’s appeared in a bowl game in every single season he’s been a head coach since 1999 at Michigan State. What’s been more uncommon is not competing in bowl games that are non-playoff games, which they’re faced with this Saturday when they take on Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

“Well we’ve been in the playoffs I think since 2010, this may be the second time we haven’t been in the playoffs, I may be off a game or two by that,” Saban said. “So it sort of becomes the standard that is the goal of everybody in the organization and everybody in the program to actually have an opportunity to play in the playoffs.”

When playing in the playoffs and competing for a National Championship is not only the standard, but one that is met more often than not, what does a program do when they don’t meet that standard and has to play? Saban answered that, speaking on the motivation of the Crimson Tide heading into their Sugar Bowl matchup.

“And how do you sort of change that mindset to create value for yourself, and your team, and your teammates? By getting motivated to play against what’s always gonna be a really good team when you play in the Sugar Bowl and go out and play winning football,” Saban said.

There’s no question that Alabama’s coaches, fan base, and players are feeling let down that they won’t be able to compete for a National Championship this season. But despite that, Saban has been pleased with the mentality of his team headed into their bowl game and the momentum they created in their last three games of the season.

“And I like the attitude this team has had up to this point and hopefully we can continue to build on that and have positive momentum going into the game and go out play a good game and execute well,” Saban said. “But I think everybody has to respect who you’re playing and what it’s gonna take to be able to do that.”

Kansas State definitely deserves their respect, fresh off of a four-game winning streak that was capped off with a Big 12 Championship win over No. 3 TCU. Saban and the Crimson Tide will definitely need to bring their A-game, as they take on the Wildcats this Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET airing on ESPN.