Alabama has won the BCS national champion two years in a row. So, looking for a three-peat would be natural. It would actually be a pretty big deal. However, head coach Nick Saban isn’t really trying to make it a big deal, according to the Associated Press.
"I don't think about it in that regard. I never, ever do," said Saban "I think the most important thing for me to do is to get our staff, the people in our organization, our players to be as good as this team can be. Can we get them to make a commitment to a standard that is going to let them play at a high level on a consistent basis that they are capable of?
Some may argue Saban is venturing into Bear Bryant territory with the Alabama head coach posting a repeat and three championships in the last four years.
"I don't think I have any reason that anybody should do that. I think Bear Bryant is probably the greatest coach in college football in terms of what he accomplished, what his legacy is," said Saban, mentioning Bryant’s impact on his player’s on and off the field in addition to his six titles.
"There's no way that we have done anything close to what he's done in terms of his consistency over time, how he changed what he did to impact the times. They threw the ball and won. They ran the wishbone and won. He changed tremendously to do what he needed to do to be successful."
Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has been on the team for all three titles and started in two of them.
"We know what we have achieved," he said. "We don't need one word to describe what we've accomplished as a team and as a university as a whole."
Offensive lineman Anthony Steen is singing a slightly different tune than his coach and quarterback.
"I can't explain how special that would be," he said. "I know all the guys are thinking about it, but we're just focusing on the first game."
The Crimson Tide are stacked once again this season and are the favorites to win another national title. McCarron, wide receiver Amari Cooper and linebacker C.J. Mosley will all be returning. They will also be accompanied by incoming help from an amazing recruiting class.
Saban pointed out reporters have only picked the national champion 4 times in the last 21 years. He said selecting a preseason champ is “crazy” because there are many things that can happen throughout a season.
He added, "Now, if I were to go 4-17 as a coach, I would be back in West Virginia pumping gas in my daddy's gas station.”
