LSU football coach Nick Saban continued to downplay the magnitude of Saturday’s game with Georgia in Wednesday’s press conference following practice.
“[The players] won’t do a damn thing,” Saban joked. “They think they’re playing the little sisters of the poor. They’re not excited about it, they don’t really want to play on TV. It’s driving me crazy.”
When the joke was over, Saban did justify the importance of the game in a more serious manner.
“Every game is an important game that we play in our league,” Saban said. “We want to win this game. It’s a chance for us to show that we can dominate in our league. We understand all the challenges of the game, but we’ve got to play a game next week, too.”
There were questions about the status of starting running back Joseph Addai, who fumbled two times last weekend against Western Illinois. Shyrone Carey saw significant playing time in relief of Addai against the Leathernecks, rushing for a career-high 124 yards and one touchdown.
But Saban quashed premonitions that Carey had earned a starting spot in the roster in lieu of his performance last weekend.
“We have two tailbacks that are starters,” Saban said. “You ever shoot craps? You stand at the craps table, one guy gets hot and you bet on him.
“Neither one of [Addai’s fumbles] were fundamental problems in terms of how he carried the ball. We’re supporting Joseph because we think he’s a good player, and we think he can be a contributing player on the team. Nobody’s looking to penalize or punish him in any way, shape or form.”
Saban focused on Georgia’s team speed on defense as something the Tigers need to control. But Saban said getting players to control something they have yet to face is a tall task.
“You can’t adjust to what you’re playing against until you play against it,” Saban said. “Everybody has significant players that have to be controlled. If you don’t control those players, they’ll wreak havoc on a game for you.”
The team speed Saban spoke of augments the play of the defensive line, namely the play of defensive end David Pollack. Saban said the Bulldogs do a great job of zone blitzing and confusing the quarterback, something the Tigers want to avoid Saturday.
“They get a lot of pressure on the quarterback,” Saban said. “I think that’s a good philosophy, because if you can affect the quarterback, that affects his efficiency in the game. And that has a lot to do with the outcome of the game.”
Saban spoke highly of Georgia quarterback David Greene as well, particularly Greene’s ability to make quick, smart decisions with the football, which affects any coach’s game plan for the Bulldogs.
“We’re going to have to disguise what we do better,” Saban said. “We’re going to have to play well up front to create down-and-distance situations where we have a chance to affect him in the game. I don’t think you can play all zone against him, I don’t think you can play all man against him.”
Should the game come down to the Tigers kicking team, Saban spoke confidently about the play of freshmen kickers Ryan Gaudet and Chris Jackson, indicating he would like for them to get the opportunity to make an important kick in the game.
“I’ve got confidence in our kickers,” Saban said. “I think they’re both very capable, talented guys that just need to stay focused on doing what they need to do. I’d like to see them make some, because it would show you how capable they really are.”