Alabama coach Nick Saban said Monday at a news conference that the quarterback competition for the Crimson Tide still is too close to call.TIDE, TAKE THREE• 1. Alabama’s defense has allowed 92 touchdowns since the start of the 2009 season, the fewest of any Bowl Subdivision team. LSU is next with 130.• 2. The Crimson Tide had six first-time starters in Saturday’s win over West Virginia: quarterback Blake Sims, left tackle Cameron Robinson, defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and D.J. Pettway and linebackers Reuben Foster and Reggie Ragland.• 3. Alabama has 15 players who had their degrees before the start of this season, matching Boston College for the most in the FBS.
With Florida Atlantic next up on Alabama’s football schedule, coach Nick Saban said Monday that this week’s focus should be on the Crimson Tide.
Florida Atlantic opened this past weekend with a 55-7 loss at Nebraska, giving up a staggering 784 yards. The Owls received a $1 million payday from the Cornhuskers and will receive another $1 million for visiting Bryant-Denny Stadium, where they lost 40-7 in 2012.
“These guys are well-coached, and we certainly have a lot of respect for them,” Saban said in his weekly news conference, “but the focus is on what we need to do to make our team better. That is what we are really going to try and focus on this week. I think it is really important how much you improve from first game to second game, and I think the key to be being successful in this season for a lot of teams that I saw is going to be who can improve.”
Alabama coaches and players have plenty to delve into following their opening 33-23 victory over West Virginia in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide gave up 365 passing yards, allowed a 100-yard kickoff return and had to speed up their offensive tempo in the second quarter when quarterback Blake Sims started to struggle.