Nick Saban responds to notion of people 'writing off' Alabama in 2023

Nick Saban and Alabama are in an interesting place where some are “writing off” the Crimson Tide’s chances this season.

It might not be the general consensus, but some could sense the changing of the guard. With Georgia winning back-to-back titles and LSU stealing the SEC West last year, Alabama has a bit of a chip on its shoulder.

Saban responds to a question about just that from ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, who echoed Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham’s comments about doubters.

“Well, I think it’s true,” Saban said on SEC Network. “We lost the national championship game two years ago, we didn’t make the playoffs last year. I didn’t think our team sort of played in certain portions of games to end games on the road at Tennessee and LSU like we needed to to be able to have a chance to be successful (last year). And it’s very disappointing and I take responsibility for that.” 

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.”

It’s rare to see Saban talk about motivation for his team when Alabama regularly competes for a College Football Playoff spot and national championship. But last year was only the second time the Crimson Tide did not make the final four since its inception.

The only other time was when LSU won it all in 2019.

Double digit wins happen every year under Saban at Alabama, sans his first year. He’s 189-27 at the school and 280-69-1 in his career.

So does Alabama need motivation or do Saban and the Crimson Tide just need to make the “writing off” notion rat poison? Regardless, don’t eat it or you’ll regret it.