It’s the Alabama FCS game after a big opening-week game. This is typically the point in time when Alabama jogs through a game in a very sleepy way.
This is why Nick Saban got angry about his team’s lack of intensity at practice this week. Players are already in drift mode because Mercer poses absolutely no threat to the Tide. One might remember, though, that The Citadel bothered Alabama in the 2019 season, a lot more than many people expected. Nick Saban has a long memory, and he is surely emphasizing the point that any team can put up a good fight if Alabama players aren’t prepared. He is stressing the need to have a championship mentality and maintain focus, even though he knows his team is unlikely to devote the same energy to Mercer which was seen a week ago in Atlanta versus Miami. It is true that Alabama looks like a reloaded team despite losing so much high-end talent to the NFL. Alabama looked very strong in the trenches and very convincing overall in its 44-13 demolition of Miami in Week 1. Saban wants to create a culture in which his new crop of elite players will not take anything for granted, since that is truly the main obstacle to Alabama and its pursuit of success. The Crimson Tide are their own worst enemy. As long as they compete well, the national championship is theirs to lose.
1 – Backup development
Alabama can lose players to the NFL and still be great the next season because the backups in one year get coached and taught so well that they are ready to perform when the following season starts. If we’re being honest, this is a game in which Saban can already start building for 2022, giving backup players lots of snaps and making sure that he puts hungry players on the field. If Saban is worried about his team lacking intensity against Mercer, playing less experienced players who really want the chance to play is a great way to go about this game. Saban doesn’t want to burn redshirts unnecessarily, but he could certainly select a few players for this game if he has a four-game plan for them this season.
2 – Defensive depth
Alabama lost linebacker Chris Allen for the season against Miami. Getting a good look at replacements will be important against Mercer, probably the single most significant positional evaluation Saban will have to make. Drew Sanders and Chris Braswell should get a lot of snaps. Saban and his staff need to put them through their paces and see how they can improve for the upcoming SEC schedule.
3 – Bryce Young puzzle pieces
Bryce Young presided over a blowout of Miami. What matters to Saban is to make sure all of Young’s skills get developed. Film study revealed what Young needs to work on. Saban needs to aim for an improvement of Young’s weaknesses so that he becomes a more well-rounded player heading into SEC play. Addressing blind spots and flaws now, rather than later, is paramount.
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