Nick Saban Tells His Team: Don't Mess with Texas!

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Okay I admit, I may have stretched the truth a bit.

What Saban probably said to his team was, "Don't mess around with North Texas; let's come out fast and finish strong."

The Alabama Crimson Tide will meet the North Texas Mean Green with the kickoff set for 11:20 Saturday morning. It will be televised locally by the SEC Regional Network.

North Texas is another one of those Sunbelt Conference teams that the top teams say they have to schedule. These teams are willing to play for pay at your place for a hefty price.

You know: Have football will travel.

These teams provide good competition and help the athletic department pay the bills.

The Mean Green is similar to last week's opponent, Florida International, only in the fact that they are both members of the Sun Belt.

The Golden Panthers held their own against the Crimson Tide for most of three quarters of football. 

North Texas will not. 

Saban doesn't want a repeat of last week's game and neither do Alabama's players.  Saban wants his No. 4 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide to dominate the North Texas Mean Green in order to prepare the Tide for the start of the SEC schedule next week against Arkansas.

When asked about the Tide's lack of enthusiasm in the first half against FIU Saban said, "It's not about who you play, it's about how you play."

North Texas will be without their starting quarterback this week. Riley Dodge will be sidelined due to a shoulder injury sustained in last week's overtime loss to Ohio University. Riley is the son of the North Texas's Head Coach, and he is what makes the Mean Green offense mean.

Like many other Sunbelt teams, North Texas is not a cupcake, but this is one of the few times in my life I am willing to predict a blowout.

Last year's Mean Green went 1-11 and did not win a conference game all year. They had gotten off to a better start this year, but losing Dodge really hurt their chances of improving that record by much.

For those who read my articles, you know that I consider predicting blowouts against any Division I team taboo, but in this case I can see it coming, and it could get pretty ugly for North Texas.

Another thing I am willing to predict is that North Texas will not score a touchdown on a kickoff return Saturday after the Tide gave up return touchdowns in each of the first two games. That has been the focus of Alabama's practice sessions this week, and something tells me it won't happen again this week.

UNT should also expect to see plenty of Trent Richardson, Star Jackson, and other young stars recruited by Nick Saban on the field Saturday. This will be Saban's best chance to give those players game experience and rest his starters leading into league play next week against Arkansas.

Prediction

North Texas, like all Sun Belt conference teams, can be competitive, but with the Mean Green's starting quarterback on the sideline and the Virginia Tech game firmly behind them, Alabama should be ready to roll this week.

North Texas has only beaten one ranked Division I opponent in its history, that was No. 20 San Diego State, W, 20-14 1976 and Alabama will not be the second.

Alabama 56 North Texas 7

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?