Alabama coach Nick Saban thinks something happened to his team’s chemistry between the Southeastern Conference championship game and the national semifinals against Ohio State. Saban said Wednesday at SEC media days one factor was that six juniors received their evaluations for the NFL draft during that period. He wants that date pushed back until after the final game to prevent such potential distractions. “We had six guys in this situation this past year and 11 the year before,” Saban said. “So we’re trying to get ready for a game, and all of a sudden a guy finds out he’s a first-round draft pick or a guy that thought he was a first-round draft pick finds out he’s not a first-round draft pick, and we’re trying to get ready to play a playoff game.” Whatever the reason, a defense that shut down Missouri was manhandled by Ohio State in the College Football Playoff. The potent offense made some costly mistakes — including three turnovers — and for the second straight year the Crimson Tide fell short of a national title. Receiver Amari Cooper was Alabama’s only first-round pick last season, though tailback T.J. Yeldon and safety Landon Collins were early second-rounders. All three were underclassmen. It is more of an issue with Alabama than most programs, with an annual early exodus of star players to the NFL. “I’d say guys got distracted by people in their ear,” said linebacker Reggie Ragland, who opted to return for his senior season…
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