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Nick Saban wants Bryant-Denny Stadium to be like Kyle Field

By Danny Jaillet

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Alabama head coach Nick Saban wants Bryant-Denny Stadium to be more like Kyle Field after hearing how loud the Texas A&M fans were during last week’s win.

Alabama Crimson Tide fans didn’t need any more motivation to fill the stands and get loud for games but Nick Saban just gave them some. Saban commented on the noise the sellout crowd at Kyle Field created during last week’s 41-23 victory over Texas A&M and how he wished the crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium would get that loud during home games.

“You talk about loud. You talk about affecting the game. I mean, their fans really did affect the game, and it says a lot about our players to keep their poise and focus.”

Saban then issued a challenge, via the Statesman, to the Tide faithful.

“You know, this is the first place we’ve played for a long, long time, that we never got booed when we came out. First place. I’m telling ya. It’s a really nice facility. They had 105,000 people. And they cheered their tail off for their team. And they made it hard for us to play.”

“I hope our fans can hear this,” he said, “because this is the kind of place we should be.”

This is a classy compliment from a rival coach — who just went in there and won — and the fans should feel great for the environment they created. But it’s also telling the Alabama faithful to get ready for Tennessee on Saturday, but most importantly the undefeated LSU Tigers on Nov. 7.

Now that the challenge is out, can Tide fans live up to it?  There is no doubt that they are loyal, and that they care about their team. After all, it seems as though everyone of the 101,821 seats in Bryant-Denny are filled every home game. They should be able to live up to the noise challenge and make things difficult for the Volunteers Saturday.

The real test, however, is when LSU and Leonard Fournette come to Tuscaloosa in what could be one of the best games of the year. If the crowd can affect the game and LSU quarterback Brandon Harris can’t focus and keep his poise, it could be the difference in another national title or a third place finish in the SEC West.

In a game that likely be decided by one or two plays Saban knows what he’s doing by pulling the crowd noise crowd and letting the fans know they need to be at their loudest and at their best.

Next: 30 Greatest College Football Stadiums

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