Alabama is coming off one of the biggest wins of the program after the team defeated Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel. The Crimson Tide are finally having their home opener Week 4 in the season after starting at the Georgia Dome, having a bye week and then playing on the road in College Station. Saturday's game is not only a celebration of football in Tuscaloosa, it is a homecoming of sorts for Colorado State.
Nick Saban's former offensive coordinator Jim McElwain is not the head coach at Colorado State, playing back at his former home for the first time since taking over the program. McElwain worked for the Tide from 2008 to 2011, helping win two national championships in the process. He knows what it is like going up against a top defensive team like Alabama.
"Getting ready to play this game, one of the things I know from being there is that there is no letdown. People could point out that they just had that huge win over a nationally-ranked team. One of the things that they do as anybody in the country does is that it doesn't matter who you're playing, it's about playing against yourself," McElwain said, via ESPN.com.
The Alabama defense is going through a bit of an identity crisis on defense. The team allowed Manziel to throw for 464 yards and five touchdowns. That is the most the Alabama defense has given up in years. Nick Saban blames big plays for the lopsided numbers. The cornerback position struggled against the Aggies receivers, making the day worse despite the Tide getting the win.
Colorado State has dropped 14 games in a row to Top 25 teams. The FCS school is coming off a win against Cal Poly. McElwain believes this game will be a great learning tool for the team.