Nick Saban joined by Mark Ingram on Sugar Bowl preview show, talks 2009 standard

Alabama takes on Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl on Saturday. Nick Saban held his usual radio show Thursday night.

Saban congratulates Bryce Young and Will Anderson on their success in the Sugar Bowl. He thinks the playoff is a little bit unfortunate. Saban believes players should travel in packs in New Orleans to stay safe. He believes young players have already improved because of the reps they've received. 10 incoming freshmen can practice at the bowl site starting this year. Tom Brady is an example to other players. Nick Saban coached against him at Michigan State. The quarterback scored all the points against MSU. If the playoffs remain 12 teams, there will be a shorter, "business trip" schedule to bowl games. There will also be another game to prepare for after that.

Nick Saban and Mark Ingram are talking about the Sugar Bowl. They discuss the game between Alabama and Kansas State. Saban says the team has to control the line of scrimmage. He also discusses the players who have to be resilient and the depth of the Alabama team. Saban also talks about two-minute defense and how it works. The game starts at 11 a.m. CT. Alabama could watch all of Kansas state's season of film. K-State plays a 3-3 stack defense with less players in the box but eight players dropped into coverage. Adrian Martinez is the better runner of K State's quarterbacks and Will Howard is better passer.

Nick Saban and Mark Ingram are talking about the 2009 Alabama team. Saban cherishes the players who came to Alabama when the team wasn't very good. Ingram is proud of being part of the Alabama brotherhood. Saban was in charge of Michigan State in the 1980s when Mark's father and Andre Rison played there. He used to call their mother to get them to go to class.

Mark Ingram is doing well after he re-injured his knee. He could play if the Saints make the playoffs. Nick Saban is a good golfer. Saban and Ingram lost a golf tournament together. Saban calls players who step up in place of lost transfers "energy vampires" and says it's enjoyable during the bowl practice. The team has worked hard and done well. It's the most enjoyable practice he's ever had. They are ready to roll. All the blinking lights are gone. There are no more "blinking lights" on the Christmas tree. This is the first time in the history of the sport that this has happened.

Saban's team won the national championship in 2009. He says players these days come to Alabama because of the expectations. The 2009 team came because they trusted in something bigger than themselves. Saban says the Sugar Bowl is a great opportunity for the team to prove something against a good team. Saban hopes Bryce Young and Will Anderson will be supported by their teammates. "Circumstances don't make you who you are, they reveal who are”