Nick Saban discusses challenges for Alabama offensive line

As Alabama prepares for a rematch against Georgia, it hopes to replicate the offensive success no one saw coming. During their 41-24 win over the Bulldogs, Alabama’s offensive line turned around a season of question marks by standing strong against college football’s most dominant front seven.

As the banged up Alabama offensive line continues to work back into shape, the makeup of the unit remains unknown. However, Nick Saban did discuss the challenges that the unit faces against Georgia this time around.

“I think the biggest challenge in playing Georgia, they have, one, a tremendous front seven,” said Saban. “They have great size, great players, physical, very instinctive, great speed. The linebackers are – Nakobe Dean and the group – fast, react quickly, very instinctive.

“So if you want to have any success in this game offensively, you have to be able to at least control those guys up front and their front seven to some degree. They have very good defense in total, but it starts with that. They create a lot of negative plays. They’ve got some really good pass rushers that can be disruptive to the quarterback.”

The unit Alabama’s offensive line has found the most success with so far features projected first round pick Evan Neal at left tackle, Chris Owens at right tackle, with Javion Cohen and Emil Ekiyor at guard, then Seth McLaughlin at center. Others to play significant snaps throughout the season include Darrian Dalcourt and JC Latham.

“I think it probably starts up front, in a game like this, and it’s going to be critical for us to be able to play well up front in the offensive line to have any chance of being successful on offense,” said Saban.

Nick Saban defines success

Winning has become synonymous with Nick Saban’s tenure at Alabama, but a successful season, he explained, means far more than just a winning season. But championships, awards, accomplishments, accolades — those aren’t the only methods of measuring success, Saban said.

“I think my definition of a successful season would be that every player in the organization, every player on the team would actually maximize his full potential based on his competitive character, discipline, work ethic, ability to overcome adversity, resiliency to persevere and do things that are going to create value for him and his future,” Saban said. “I would say that if every player in the organization could get to that point, that would be a successful season. Now, I know that I’ve always philosophically thought that’s what college football was all about, helping players be more successful.”