BCS Championship: Alabama dealing with the spotlight
The BCS Championship game is right around the corner and Alabama coach Nick Saban is ready to see if his players have put the “clutter” aside.
Saban doesn’t like the phrase “defending champions.” He believes that the only thing being the previous champions does is put a target on their back.
“You guys are not the national champions. Other than making you a target,” he said, “it doesn’t do anything for you.”
Alabama’s Crimson Tide held a meeting with their players to help everyone get focused. Two freshman linebackers were sent home because of curfew violations and are not in the playing rotation.
As of now, Alabama is projected to win by more than a touchdown, but Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is okay with that.
“Somebody’s got to be an underdog,” Kelly said during his turn at the podium. “Alabama’s got the belt; they deserve to have the belt, and we’ve got to try to take it from them.”
The Tide are seeking their third win in four years, and while Notre Dame has their own impressive win streaks, they haven’t had any since 1988.
Winning the game would mean a lot to either team, but some players just see it as another game.
“I mean, I think it’s the media that makes the game so much bigger,” Tide quarterback AJ McCarron said. “Me personally, I think it’s just another game. Yeah, you’re playing for a national championship, but it’s another football game. You know, the field is still 53 yards wide, 100 yards long. Still got to put the ball in the end zone to win the game. I don’t really pay too much attention to the title of the game, I guess.”
The BCS Championship game will take place on Monday at 8:30pm at Sunlife Stadium in Miami.
