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Nick Saban says current Alabama team 'has to earn it'

47377776_10156854436900775_2208546246019252224_nby:Clint Lamb•08/18/21•

ClintRLamb

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Alabama football had only its second undefeated, national title-winning season under Nick Saban last year. After going an impressive 13-0 during a COVID-riddled campaign, the team is now trying to shift its focus towards 2021.

In Nick Saban’s mind, the past shouldn’t matter anymore — at least not to this current team. Even with a No. 1 ranking, that’s mostly based off last year’s success, not this year.

The Alabama head coach said as much during his weekly press conference on Wednesday evening.

“I think the mindset of your team is so important,” Saban told reporters. “High achievement, motivation and low anxiety is really, really important, and you got to be able to shut down all the external factors out there.

“Whether it’s No. 1, we’re going to be in the Playoffs. We haven’t done anything to deserve anything. You know, we’re honored to be recognized where we are, but this particular team has got to earn it. They’ve got to go out there and earn it everyday.”

With the way the Alabama program has been built, one of the biggest challenges lies in keeping players humble and hungry. It’s a constant battle against complacency, but Saban and his coaching staff have done a good job managing that never-ending obstacle over the years.

In order to keep players focused on getting better, Saban says they have to focus on how to get the outcome they want, rather than focusing on the outcome itself.

“Players cannot focus on outcomes,” Saban continued. “They need to continue to focus on the things that they need to do to get the outcome. They don’t need to have a lot of fear of failure, like they’re going to disappoint somebody. They got to focus on what they got to do to be the best player they are. Whether it’s individually or collectively as a team.”

With a top-15 team matchup against Miami in Week 1, the Crimson Tide have to make sure they’re preparing with the right mentality, something Saban is trying to instill now rather than later.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.

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