Nick Saban Likens Reserve Players Receiving Playing Time To The Hulk [VIDEO]

When fans think of Nick Saban, the first superhero to come to mind would probably be Superman -- the virtually unstoppable DC Comics character from planet Krypton.

But when the Alabama coach thinks of a superhero that's similar to his players, half serious or not, it's the Hulk that comes to mind.

Asked on back-to-back questions Wednesday how reserve players like running back Altee Tenpenny and center Bradley Bozeman are responding to their new-found playing time due to injuries that have forced them into the lineup, Saban questioned why they would be any different than they are any other time, referencing the large green humanoid and his alter ego Bruce Banner.

"So because they got a chance to play, they’re like different people," Saban quipped. "I mean, it’s completely different. They don’t even look the same. I wouldn’t even recognize them on the street. They completely changed like, what was it, the Hulk? Was that the guy who changed? They play, they look like the Hulk. When they don’t play, they look like the guy that, you know, sells newspapers or whatever."

Answering without Hulk references, Saban stressed the importance of backups practicing and preparing with the same mindset as a starter.

"Here's where I differ from everybody else when it comes to the questions you ask me because they’re exactly what I think sometimes players think," Saban said. "If I’m going to play, I’m going to do something different than if I’m not going to play. That’s not really what we need. We need every player on the team to go out every day and get better, and improve and play their best because our goal is that every player on our team to be the best player they can be.

"So your attitude shouldn’t be any different whether you’re going to be the fourth back or the third back. Your approach should be the same because you should be striving if you’re fourth to be third and if you’re third to be second and if you’re second to be first. That’s probably one of the biggest problems that we have is the guys that play, they really, really go out there and work hard and try to do everything they need to do. Then a guy thinks he’s not going to play doesn’t have the same mental energy, intensity, doesn’t prepare the same way. Guy gets hurt, he’s in there playing. So can he do his job like he should? You understand what I’m trying to say?

"I know you all think I’m crazy, but that’s just how I think it ought to be, that’s how I think players should do it. That’s what I preach to them all the time."

The big, bad Hogs

It weighs over 1,600 pounds and it pushes through the trenches to over 315 yards per game on the ground each time it makes an appearance. No, it's not the Hulk, but the Arkansas offensive line.

"I think they can talk all about how big they are, but really, they’re pretty good," Saban said. "That’s what concerns me more than how big (they are). They’re very well-coached. They do a really good job of executing the plays that they run. They really play smart, they get a hat on a hat.

"They’re big and strong, physical people that can maul you if you don’t play with good pad level and strike and get your hands inside so you can control the block and be able to get off the block like you need to."

The Razorbacks rush for 316.6 yards per game (seventh-best in the nation) with 20 touchdowns scored (second nationally) behind the one-two punch of Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams, who each rush on average over or near 100 yards per game.

To try to suppress Arkansas' offensive line play, Saban will try to match it with the size and ability of his defensive linemen. The Crimson Tide ranks third nationally in stopping the run, giving up only 64 yards per game.

"You got to have some physical people on the line of scrimmage, you got to be able to control the line of scrimmage because that’s what they’ve done to most people is they dominate the line of scrimmage," Saban said. "It opens up the passing game, it keeps them in the right down and distance to be a good third-down team."