Nick Saban knew it. The players did, too. Leading into last year’s national semifinal against Ohio State, Alabama’s team leadership didn’t have the right mindset. There were the NFL Draft stock distractions, the feeling they couldn’t lose and the loss of momentum during a long break from the SEC Championship until the Sugar Bowl. The Buckeyes knocked Alabama out of the College Football Playoff and went on to win the national championship. As one of this year’s leaders and permanent team captains, senior linebacker Reggie Ragland is making sure not to repeat the mistakes of last year’s player leaders. “Everybody on the team knew the leadership wasn’t the right way but some guys can’t say (anything) about it,” Ragland said. “Now, I can say something because I’m a leader. If I feel like I don’t like something, I’m going to say it. If we need to do this, I’m going to say it. “The guys on the team know we need to do it the right way because the right way gets it done and the wrong way doesn’t.” On the plane ride over to Dallas Saturday morning, Ragland noticed his teammates were already locked into Michigan State, their Dec. 31 opponent. The Crimson Tide isn’t letting all of the publicity and attention surrounding the Cotton Bowl distract from the goal: Advancing to the national championship…
Continue Reading: ‘Everybody on the team knew’ player leadership wasn’t right before Ohio State game
