TUSCALOOSA — The New York Times published an analysis piece Sunday about Oregon’s up-tempo offense and Nick Saban’s apparent dislike for that style of football.

Headlined “Saban Beholds Oregon’s Offense, and Does Not See Beauty,” the piece repeats a quote by Saban from last month, when he said the no-huddle offense is a “tremendous advantage.”

“I don’t mind playing against no-huddle,” Saban said Monday. “We don’t mind that at all. That wasn’t what I said, it’s what you
all interpreted it to be. I just asked the question, ‘Is this what we want the game to become?’

“That’s for you to answer. But that doesn’t mean we don’t like playing against it. We don’t mind playing against it. It is what it is. Our players don’t mind playing against it. We played a little bit better against it than when the other team huddled up this past week.”

Saban added: “That’s the worst we’ve played all year on defense, by far.”

Injury report

Alabama receiver Amari Cooper and Eddie Lacy are expected to play Saturday against Texas A&M. Both missed the end of the 21-17 win over LSU because of ankle injuries. Cooper hurt his ankle in the previous week’s win over Mississippi State and played in the first half against LSU.

“Cooper didn’t really re-injure himself,” Saban said. “He was just a little sore. He’s going to be able to practice and be ready to go this week.”

Lacy dressed out Monday but didn’t practice. “Eddie … should be OK by tomorrow,” Saban said. “Just a little banged up. Had a little ankle, tweaked it a little bit in the game.”

By James Crepea
For the TimesDaily

Lemonier eyes the NFL

AUBURN — Auburn defensive end Corey Lemonier says he has not decided whether or not he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Lemonier, who has made 26 tackles and five sacks this season, said his performance will be the deciding factor in whether or not he stays for his senior season. “It’s all about performance,” Lemonier said. “It’s self-explanatory. So I feel like if I don’t do good, then you know.”

Linebacker position open

Jake Holland made his second straight start and eighth of the season at middle linebacker Saturday.

Cassanova McKinzy started at MLB against Vanderbilt and tied for a team-high with 12 tackles, but has been limited time the past two games.

“We all know that he’s very talented, we all know that he’s going to be a very good player, he’s physically gifted,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said of McKinzy, who made one tackle Saturday.

“ He’s just got to continue to learn the game, and get aligned properly and do all those things within the defense that our defense is goingto require for him to do.”