Saban on Alabama-Vanderbilt: ‘Revenge is not supposed to be a factor, but it is a factor today’
Nick Saban set the tone early Saturday during the opening moments of ESPN’s “College GameDay” ahead of Alabama’s game with Vanderbilt.“Let me say one thing: Revenge is not supposed to be a factor, but it is a factor today,” Saban declared.It’s been 41 years since the Commodores have won in Tuscaloosa, but the Diego Pavia led Vanderbilt to an upset win of then-No. 1 Tide last season in Nashville.“This is a different Vandy team,” Kirk Herbstreit said. “They’re better. They’re more mature. They’re more experienced than they were a year ago. They are not intimidated.”Saban, 73, had a response to that, too.“Let me speak up for Alabama now. We’re better, too,” he said to the delight of those gathered for the broadcast.Pat McAfee, who led the crowd in a “Roll Tide,” said Tuscaloosa is the best game-day experience in the country.“Your greatness radiates from you all the time,” McAfee said to Saban. “It is no surprise that you took this place to a perennial powerhouse, brother. You’re a legend, brother. ...“You are what’s great not only with everything that is college football but the United States of America, brother. You should be incredibly proud. ...“Whenever you hear from the legends from around this place, you see the spectacle that is an Alabama football game with the best in-stadium atmosphere that there is in college football. ...“The way this place operates is all because of your vision. It’s a tough team. It’s a gritty team.”
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