Former Vols LB Henry To'o To'o ignored some of Nick Saban's best advice when Alabama played Tennessee
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban gave some great advice this week during his coach's show. Saban said he tells his players they need to "take it personal" each week in the SEC because Alabama's opponents are taking it personal. His message was basically that if you don't take it personal and your opponent […]
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban gave some great advice this week during his coach's show.
Saban said he tells his players they need to "take it personal" each week in the SEC because Alabama's opponents are taking it personal. His message was basically that if you don't take it personal and your opponent does, then you're at a major disadvantage.
"I don't know that our players always understand that, because if you don't take it personal, you're not going to be ready for that challenge," said Saban. "That's something that we've struggled with a little bit on the road and we'll have the same kind of challenge this week (against Ole Miss). And I hope our players understand that this will be personal for them, so if you don't make it personal for you, you'll be at a disadvantage."
The first thing that came to mind when I heard this comment from Saban was the statement that former Tennessee Vols linebacker Henry To'o To'o, who transferred to Alabama after the 2020 season, made before the Crimson Tide played UT last month.
In the hype video that Alabama dropped before the game against Tennessee, To'o To'o said that going back to Neyland Stadium and competing against his former teammates wasn't personal, it was just business.
I don't know if Saban was specifically referring to To'o To'o with his comments this week, but it certainly adds up.
To'o To'o didn't play his best game of the year against the Vols. And it sounds like Saban feels that not taking that game personally could be a big reason why To'o To'o and the rest of Alabama's defense didn't play at a high level against the Vols' high-octane offense.
By the way, Tennessee's players definitely took To'o To'o's comments personally and used them as motivation. Maybe that's what put the Vols over the top in a tight game that came down to the final play.
Featured image via Jamar Coach/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
