(Video Above: Nick Saban’s must-watch message to fans ahead of the Miss. State game)
At this point in 2008, Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide were undefeated, ranked #1 in the country, coming off a stunning overtime victory in Baton Rouge, and getting ready to square off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Sound at least somewhat familiar? I’m sure it does.
With that setting in mind, 2008 Nick Saban was geared up and ready for his weekly radio show in front of a live audience (video above).
“All the rest of you people out there (saying), ‘On paper, we should beat Mississippi State,’ well, I’m going to tell you what,” Saban began. “Our team has worked their tail off for about 20 weeks to get to where they are right now — not just 20 weeks, all the way from last year’s bowl game. They’re tired, they’re sore, they’re beat up. They’ve played in hostile environments. They’ve done all that you could ask them to do in terms of being competitors.”
Then Saban really let it rip.
“Our stadium on Saturday — I don’t give a s*** who we’re playing — better be what it ought to be, for what these guys have done,” Saban exclaimed. “I’m just telling you it ought to be that. You ought to do it for them. Ain’t waiting for the next game. How about right now? Our crowd should have an effect on this game for our players and our team for what they’ve done. Just show an appreciation for what they’ve done. You want to know how I feel about it? That’s how I feel about it.”
That mini-rant may have taken place in 2008, but it’s certainly still applicable six years later.
But one of the main differences between 2008 and 2014 is that the 2008 version of Miss. St. was a bottom dweller in the SEC West, while Alabama had just achieved its first No. 1 regular season national ranking since 1980. The roles aren’t completely reversed this year. Alabama is still in the hunt for a national championship, but it’s Miss. St. who’s riding high with the No. 1 ranking and the first 9-0 start in school history.
Alabama fans will have a chance to make their presence felt and play their part in derailing Miss. State’s historic run when the Bulldogs roll into town Saturday.
Want to see more Nick Saban’s most memorable meltdowns? Check out the video below.
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