Crimson Red Sports

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Alabama coach Nick Saban began his weekly radio show by remarking on the atmosphere last week at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where the Crimson Tide improved to 4-0 with a 38-14 victory over Arkansas.

"It's intimidating for an opponent," Saban said.

Other highlights from the show. ...

* He was asked what he eats before a game. First, he said Wednesday is the only night of the week when he eats dinner at home. "Terry's got it in her contract that she doesn't cook after 7 o'clock," he said. He doesn't eat Thursday at Buffalo Wild Wings, the site of his radio show. Rather, a member of his support staff picks up meatloaf, macaroni and cheese and green beans from the 15th Street Diner. On Friday night, Saban said he always eats a piece of chicken, some spaghetti and lasagna with the team. Before a game, he eats what the players eat, buffet style: steak, baked potatoes and scrambled eggs. Yes, he eats his Little Debbie Cakes in the morning on the road.

* He was asked about vertical passing and said he strives for balance on offense. He wants explosive plays and doesn't care if they're short passes or long passes or runs.

* He was asked if he could update his book - "How Good Do You Want to Be?" - what message would he give young people. "If you aim at nothing, you hit nothing at all," Saban said.

* He was asked about Dre Kirkpatrick and said the junior cornerback probably played the best game of his college career against Arkansas. "He's a very emotional guy," Saban said. "We don't like for our players to talk to the players on the other team. We have a rule against that." But it's hard for some players not to make it personal, Saban acknowledged.

* Saban said some of the flags thrown against Alabama last week were "lightweight penalties."

* On playing at The Swamp, Saban said the team must not be affected by clutter. He encouraged Alabama fans who come to the game to be there at the stadium when the team arrives and gather around the players.

* On new Florida coach Will Muschamp, who was a Saban assistant at LSU and with the Miami Dolphins. "Really emotional. They'll play with high intensity. They'll play with great toughness. That's Will's personality. That's who he is. He coaches with tremendous passion, and he's a good teacher."

* Does Alabama's offense have an advantage because it will face a defense similar to the defense it faces every day in practice? "We know what they're going to do, and they know what we're going to do," Saban said, "but nobody knows when they're going to do it."

* Saban was asked what he talks about when he meets with an opposing coach on the field before a game. "Most of that is nothing of significance," Saban said. He says he has a tremendous amount of respect for the other coach. "I say this because I believe this," Saban said.

* On punting, he said the goal is 42 yards per punt and 38 net yards per punt. (The Tide is averaging 38.1/35.9.)

* Does going against a former assistant make it more or less difficult to prepare for a game? It doesn't make any difference, Saban said.

* On playing against fast Florida running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey without injured inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (elbow): "C.J. is the perfect kind of guy to have for this kind of game ... because he can run," Saban said. Mosley is almost certainly out for this game, and he will be day-to-day next week, Saban said...