Nick Saban Tracker: What the Alabama Football Coach Is Saying at SEC Media Days

Thursday represents the final day of SEC Media Days, with Alabama head coach Nick Saban scheduled to be the featured attraction to step to the podium at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, AL. 

With the event taking place in the Crimson Tide's backyard, Saban is likely to draw the biggest audience amongst the hoard of media in attendance. 

Saban is scheduled to hit the stage at 11:00 EST, and stay tuned to find out what he is saying and those around the SEC are saying about him. 

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Saban on Opening with Michigan

Part of the reason Alabama must turn the page on last season is because they open 2012 against Big Ten powerhouse Michigan.

Per Alabama Football's twitter account, Saban said opening with a high-profile matchup has boosted the team's preparation this offseason.

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Nick Saban "Playing a great opponent like Michigan the 1st game really enhances your players' work ethic & preparation in the offseason."

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) July 19, 2012"

Saban Comments on Tuscaloosa Shooting Incident

Saban was asked about a shooting that took place last weekend in Tuscaloosa in which an assistant coach was injured.

Per al.com's twitter page, Saban commented on the incident at SEC Media Days.

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Nick Saban: Bar shooting 'not really a reflection of Tuscaloosa': "We're just fortunate that noth... bit.ly/QceGbQ #alabama #tide

— al.com staff (@aldotcomTide) July 19, 2012"

Alabama offensive analyst Kelvin Sigler is expected to make a full recovery. 

Saban Is Kind of a Big Deal

It is kind of a running joke for Alabama residents that Nick Saban is the most important man in the state. 

Per Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News, that theory may have been validated at SEC Media Days when Saban needed a bathroom break.

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How important is Nick Saban? Two security officers blocked the use of a bathroom from media with Saban inside.

— Jon Solomon (@jonsol) July 19, 2012"

There you have it, folks!

Saban on New Offensive Coordinator

One of the biggest question marks for Alabama this season is the how the team will adjust to new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.

Per B/R's Barrett Sallee, Saban does not expect that to be an issue.

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Saban on OC: "There's not much of a transition." #SubduedSaban

— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) July 19, 2012"

Nussmeier is a disciple of the man he replaced, former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator and new Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain.

Saban's Message to Team About Complacency

The last time Alabama entered a season as the defending national champions, they went 10-3 and blew late leads in losses to rivals LSU and Auburn in 2010.

Saban delivered a simple philosophical message on what he is telling his team on how to avoid complacency this season, per Saturday Down South via twitter.

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"High achievers don't like mediocre people and mediocre people don't like overachievers." -Nick Saban

— Saturday Down South (@SDS) July 19, 2012"

The theme of avoiding the mistakes made in 2010 is a popular one amongst players and Tide supporters.

Saban Doesn't Think 9-Game Schedule Will Hurt the SEC's National Title Chances

Saban already spoke out in favor of expanding the SEC schedule to nine games, but how would that affect the league's chances to maintain the dominance they are currently enjoying?

Per Matt Hayes of the Sporting News, Saban noted that similar sentiments were expressed when college football expanded to its current 12-game schedule format.

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Saban on 9-game sked: "People said we'd never be able to win the NC when we went to 12 teams and added a game with the championship game."

— Matt Hayes(@Matt_HayesSN) July 19, 2012"

The SEC will still be the SEC, regardless of how they respond to the changes in scheduling. 

Saban Addresses Conference Champion Debate Regarding Playoff

With the controversy of Alabama making the BCS National Championship game despite failing to win the SEC, Saban was asked about the conference championship requirement proposal floating around for the playoff system starting in 2014.

His reponse was stern, per ESPN3.

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"Whoever is making the statement about conference champions is really making a statement against the SEC and against any league who has more than one good team who would qualify, trying to enhance the opportunity for somebody from their league to get in," Saban said.

"

Props to Saban for addressing the issue and giving a strong opinion. 

Saban on How Long Can the SEC Stay on Top

Saban has been contributed a pair of national titles to the streak of six straight crystal footballs won by SEC schools, but he thinks their run is bound to end at some point, per Saturdays Down South's twitter.

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Nick Saban on SEC national championship streak: "Pretty special, but it's not going to last forever. We all know that."

— Saturday Down South (@SDS) July 19, 2012

"

However, Saban and the Crimson Tide have a great shot to extend the streak to seven this season.

Saban on Eddie Lacy's Health

Saban gave Crimson Tide fans some encouraging news on the status of running back Eddie Lacy heading into fall camp, per Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa news.

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Saban on Lacy: "Doing extremely well." Said if practice started today, all players would be clear.

— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) July 19, 2012"

Lacy's health is critical for a young offense searching for new playmakers.

Saban Responds to Spurrier

Steve Spurrier sent a subtle jab towards Saban on Day 1 of SEC Media Days, and Saban responded with cracks on looking up to Spurrier as a mentor because he's older, and he even referenced perhaps mimicking the old ball coach, per ESPN3's live stream. 

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"In fact,I was even going to consider wearing a visor, you know, on the sidelines, but I was afraid that I'd throw it," Saban said. 

"

Well played, coach!

Saban Favors 9 Game SEC Schedule

With expansion bringing the SEC to 14 teams, Saban has spoken in favor expanding the league schedule, per Mark Schlabach of ESPN.

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#Bama coach Nick Saban says it's time for #SEC to go to 9-game conference schedule. "It's what's right for players and makes most sense."

— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) July 19, 2012"

Making this move would likely cut some of the high-profile non-conference games that we have seen Alabama play in, such as their season opener against Michigan this season.

Saban on Penn State

Per Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples, Saban suggested a plan to help future victims of child abuse in wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

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Nick Saban's suggestion for Penn State: A tax on tickets to create a fund for child abuse victims.

— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) July 19, 2012"

On the hoof, that idea seems like a nice gesture in light of the terrible situation going on in Happy Valley. 

Nick Saban Has Arrived

Looks like Saban has arrived and go on earlier than we expected, per Fox affiliate WBRC in Birmingham.

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Nick Saban has arrived at SEC Media Days, preparing to speak to reporters at 8:30. Watch live on your computer: myfoxal.com/sec

— FOX6 WBRC-TV (@myfoxal) July 19, 2012"

I guess Saban is the anti-Les Miles in more ways than one.