JC Latham predicts Alabama will win national championship in 2023

Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham predicted the Crimson Tide will win the national championship in 2023. It’s not a farfetched prediction, but it’s a little surprising to hear from a player under Nick Saban’s watch.

Latham already called Alabama doubters a “slap to the face.” Saban even responded to the notion of people writing off the Crimson Tide as “negative rat poison,” however you want to spin that phrase.

But Latham left no doubt about the expectations for Alabama this year.

“Alabama OL JC Latham and OLB Dallas Turner both spoke at length about the ‘disrespect’ they feel at the Crimson Tide not being considered the favorite in 2023,” On3’s Jesse Simonton wrote on Twitter. “How’s this for rat poison: Latham straight said Alabama is ‘going to win it all this year.’”

Again, it’s not farfetched to predict a national title at Alabama. The Crimson Tide are on the shortlist of contenders for 2023.

Latham went on to explain how that mindset motivates not just him but the entire Alabama team. Everyone in Tuscaloosa is ready to prove the narrative wrong, showing they are still the kings of college football.

“It motivates me,” Latham said. “Our group, as a whole — we don’t like that. Guys try to say our culture has changed or our dynasty is over with. We say that’s a slap to the face because people think we’re not out there to be the best. We’re going to silence it all this year and we’re going to take each game in stride and understand what our goal is. There are guys out there who don’t think we are who we once were.”

Saban mentioned the weight of expectations on his players and how it can be negative. Usually Saban pegs any praise or criticism as “rat poison,” meaning it is meaningless either way and it’s not a good idea to feed into it.

But Saban threw out a new phrase when talking about expectations and doubters writing off Alabama.

“But I do think our players, sometimes the expectations affect players in a negative way in terms of creating some complacency, which is a challenge to overcome,” Saban said. “And then sometimes when you get a little negative rat poison I call it, it actually becomes something that creates a little hunger and makes players want to prove something. 

“So hopefully, you know, that scenario of proving something is something that helps motivate us throughout the season.”