Alabama Football coach shrugs off three-peat talk

To say expectations are high for University of Alabama football in the coming year doesn't quite cover it.

The reigning national champions, who have won it all three of the last four years, are naturally hoping they'll do it again.

Head coach Nick Saban, however, is trying to manage expectations.

At the SEC Media Days event Thursday, Saban took a clear-eyed view of the upcoming season.

"It's a challenge each year to reinvent your team," Saban said.

Top-rated quarterback A.J. McCarron will be back, and Saban knows opponents will be gunning for him.

"I know everybody will be targeting us," he said. But the efficient McCarron has earned the respect.

"Now, when they mention my name, 'Game Manager' is my middle name and then they mention my last name," he said.

As for facing the pressures of high expectations? Last year, they underwent the same thing, and found themselves equal.

"I think we got better as the year went on defending it," Saban said.