Nick Saban is doing exactly what Tennessee did before playing South Carolina, but no one is falling for it
Before the Tennessee Vols played the South Carolina Gamecocks earlier this season, Josh Heupel and various players downplayed the idea that revenge for UT's 63-38 loss the previous season in Columbia was on their mind. After the game, however, Vols head coach Josh Heupel admitted that everyone in the building took the game "personally". Tennessee […]
Before the Tennessee Vols played the South Carolina Gamecocks earlier this season, Josh Heupel and various players downplayed the idea that revenge for UT's 63-38 loss the previous season in Columbia was on their mind.
After the game, however, Vols head coach Josh Heupel admitted that everyone in the building took the game "personally".
Tennessee redshirt senior tight end Jacob Warren said during an interview with Off the Hook Sports that the revenge factor was "big" against the Gamecocks, before admitting that UT's players and coaches didn't want the "revenge factor" storyline to play out in the media.
Alabama seems to be taking a similar approach with this week's game against Tennessee.
Bama head coach Nick Saban has tried to downplay the idea that last year's game is on the Crimson Tide's mind, but CBS Sports sideline reporter Jenny Dell let the cat out of the bag on Thursday night during Saban's "Hey Coach" radio show.
Dell, who joined Saban during the show alongside host Eli Gold, noted that several of Alabama's players mentioned that Saban has said all week that the game against Tennessee is "personal".
"I was able to speak with a lot of players this week and they all shared the sentiment that you said that this game coming up is personal," said Dell. "So how much of a revenge factor is there with Tennessee coming in?"
"I don't think it's personal just from a revenge standpoint," said Saban. "I think the players know what this game means to a lot of people."
It seems pretty obvious that behind closed doors, Saban is making sure his players have an edge to them because of last year's loss to Tennessee. I would bet that he's played plenty of clips from the Vols' wild celebration in Neyland Stadium last year to motivate his players.
Tennessee will need to match that energy. Making it personal isn't just lip service. It's the best way to make sure Tennessee's players keep the intensity for four quarters. That's a must if the Vols are going to get their first win in Tuscaloosa since 2003.
Joe Milton shows elite leadership with statement that Tennessee fans should appreciate
Gotta respect that from Joe Milton
