Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Alabama coach Nick Saban wasn't about to fire back.
Not yet, anyway. And not from a podium. But down deep, you just know he figures he'll get his chance somewhere on the field in the next few years.
The second-year Alabama coach shrugged off Les Miles' zinger about the Crimson Tide having trouble beating teams from Louisiana.
"Well, he told the truth," said Saban, whose first season at Alabama included an embarrassing home loss to Louisiana-Monroe. "He told it like it was. So, you know, I don't. . . .you know, we need to earn it."
Saban then pulled out a "Saving Private Ryan" analogy.
"Private Ryan told Tom Hanks on the bridge after 12 guys got killed getting him out of there. . . .Tom Hanks says, 'Earn this,' " Saban said.
"We need to earn respect."
Chris Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
