Bryce Young, Will Anderson, Jr. Discuss Preparations For Texas

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Coming off a blowout 55-0 win over Utah State Saturday inside the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium, the top-ranked Crimson Tide (1-0) is set to travel to Austin, Texas on Saturday for an 11 a.m. matchup with the Texas Longhorns and former Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.

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During his press conference on Monday, head coach Nick Saban had nothing but praise for Sarkisian — a sentiment that was echoed by his players when they spoke to the media after the first day of practice for Saturday's matchup.

"I think he's a very bright guy," Saban said. "He's very well organized. He did an outstanding job when he was here and he's got a good system. He understands defense. He likes to see what you're in if he can, so that he can run a play that's going to be an effective play against that particular look or give his players the best chance to be successful."

Sarkisian served as an analyst and interim offensive coordinator for Saban's staff in 2016, before returning as offensive from 2019 through 2020. For his work during the 2020 campaign, Sarkisian was presented the Broyles Award for the nation's top assistant coach.

"It's an extremely well-coached unit," Tide junior quarterback Bryce Young said on Monday. "You could tell that they play together — really athletic, really talented — and also really disciplined. ... They do a lot of things, but they communicate really well. So again, that shows how well-coached they are, how good they are at communicating."

The defending Heisman Trophy winner stressed the need for preparation in the week leading up to the game, which will see the Tide facing once of the more complex systems the team will see during the regular season.

"[Sarkisian] has a really good system and I think it's a lot about having an eye for that stuff. Just for my time with him coaching me and him being [offensive coordinator] here, he just was always one step ahead. As far as knowing what he had, he always had a process to him and there was a lot of stuff he just kind felt it out. That was just kind of natural, off instinct, so I was able to learn a lot while he was here."

On the defensive side of the ball, junior linebacker Will Anderson, Jr. said Monday that the motivation for the team will be unchanged going into Saturday

"No game is bigger than the other one," he said. "We have to treat each opponent with respect each game ... like a national championship game. We're just going to go in with the same mindset that we do for every game."

While it should come as little surprise during the Saban Era, there is a visible degree of respect for the Longhorns on the part of Alabama coaches and players.

For instance, much discussion has focused on Texas running back Bijan Robinson — an experienced junior who rushed for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

During the Longhorns' opener against Louisiana-Monroe, Robinson carried the ball just 10 times for 71 yards and a touchdown in the 52-10 blowout.

"Their running back is a great player," Anderson said. "I've watched a little bit [of film] so far. You know, he's very explosive. He can run. He go on the outside, inside — a very versatile running back. Like I said, it's going be a great challenge for us, but we're going to prepare the right way to go play this game on Saturday."

When asked about the early-day temperatures, with highs expected to be in the mid-90s, Young expressed gratitude for the Tide's nutrition staff in preparing the team for the sweltering conditions.

"We have hydration tests that we take throughout the week that keep us updated, as well," Young said. "Our staff has done an amazing job of making sure that we understand how important it is."

Looking ahead, Young anticipated an exciting game for the team and a memorable experience as two classic college football programs clash.

"It's a great opportunity for us, a storied program and a great team and us being able to travel there," he said. "We know it's going to be a very hostile environment, obviously, and it's going to be hot. So there's going to be us going into circumstances like that. I think it's a great opportunity for us again, we know the challenge it presents. ... I think whenever you get an opportunity like this, for us, it's a great chance for us to try to step up to the plate, to try to grow and show who we are as a team."

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