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FSU Football: Nick Saban already trying to play mind games

By Kelvin Hunt

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks on the red carpet before the start of the NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks on the red carpet before the start of the NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nick Saban said FSU football could be No. 1 when they face Alabama in the 2017 opening game. We talk about why that’s Saban playing mind games.

Nick Saban is the best coach in college football. There’s a reason he’s been so successful over the years, in particularly since he took charge in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Coaches are always looking for an edge, particularly when playing against a team that’s a viable threat to win on the field.

Ole Miss coach Huge Freeze staged a funeral last season at practice prior to play FSU football. Now, Nick Saban told the media that FSU football will likely be ranked No. 1 when they face his Alabama squad on September 2 according to Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times:

“Florida State has a great team and a great program and will probably be No. 1 in the country,” Saban said.

Thoughts

There’s a lot to digest here. Nick Saban is the ultimate strategist and this statement does a couple of things:

  • Motivates his own team since it makes them underdogs in their eyes
  • Influences the media
  • Could influence FSU players into being a little too confident

Now, the first two bullets I don’t expect will mean much in the grand scheme of things. The Alabama program is built on winning just as the FSU program.

The part that could come into play is the media. Coaches can shape narratives and the media runs with them.

If the media sees this quote, looks at what FSU has coming back, and checks the recruiting rankings to see they are nearly as talented as Alabama?

Well by golly, they might be the number one team in the country since Alabama lost a ton of talent to the NFL Draft.

FSU football is near a touchdown underdog by oddsmakers on a neutral field, so it’ll be interesting to see how the lead up to the FSU/Alabama game will be billed.

It’ll give both teams months to hear the narratives of media. Does FSU have a legit chance to upset Alabama? Has Alabama recovered from the heartbreaking loss to Clemson?

Next: FSU Develops NFL Talent BETTER Than Alabama

Both coaches are believers of “the process” and Jimbo Fisher learned it from Nick Saban. Both will do their best to get their players to trust the process and eliminate the clutter from media.

Which coach will get his team to focus best?

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