Saban praises Vanderbilt, talks recruiting, motivation and evaluates Florida’s Will Muschamp

Listen to Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban’s Wednesday morning teleconference. Saban previewed Alabama’s homecoming game against Vanderbilt, talked recruiting the state of Texas and motivational strategy. Below you can read a summary and analysis on what Saban said, .

“This is always a challenging game when you play in the SEC,” Saban said of the 3-1 Vanderbilt Commodores.

Saban talked about Alabama’s philosophy of recruiting in Texas. Saban reiterated what he has said previously about Alabama’s commitment to recruiting the state. Saban said the team already has recruited players from Texas, but last year the team upped its efforts in the state.

“A year ago we put one more coach in Texas thinking that was a place we should spend a little more time recruiting,” Saban said.

Saban said this decision to expand recruiting efforts in the state of Texas had nothing to do with conference expansion.

Saban did not mention this today; however, the game against Michigan in Dallas would fit within Saban’s previously discussed strategy for raising Alabama’s profile. The Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta fit within Alabama’s strategy of increasing visibility within the state of Georgia—a fertile recruiting territory.

Saban questioned the conventional wisdom that more exposure will yield dividends in recruiting.

“Nobody has any proof of that,” Saban said.

Saban praised Vanderbilt’s secondary. He said they disguise well and mix coverages. He said the defensive backs “have good ball skills” and “are instinctive.”

“The challenge is to read what they are doing and not throw the ball to the wrong place,” Saban said.

Saban said Alabama’s receivers have made improvements “every week.”

Saban talks about motivational technique to keep his team up for every game. He pointed toward the technique he described in his book How Good Do You Want To Be?. Saban explained the development of the right traits could help reduce emotional swings often prevalent in young players.

Saban praised Florida Coach Will Muschamp. Saban said Muschamp is making a mark on the Florida intangibles.

“I thought they played really well in our game,” Saban said.