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Zach Mettenberger called Alabama a “nameless and faceless” opponent

TideFan in AU

TideFan in AU

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Almost close enough to the pasture to smell it!
derek4tide said:
Hmmmm, it does seem to motivate some on our team. We shall see what happens on Saturday.
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Agreed. The people that are saying this stuff means nothing to the players are obviously not on twitter, because I've seen multiple players address the Bo Wallace thing, the UT "red team" thing, and even Oregon and AU's "We want Bama" shirts. A "diss", perceived or real, is a big thing for young men. I never knew the term "diss" in my day, but I think back at the stupid stuff I was willing to fight over when I was that age. My sense of pride was way bigger than my sense of reason back then.

It is also nieve to think coaches don't use this kind of stuff as motivation on the practice field either. You're crazy if think a coach like Scott Cochran won't use stuff like that. Remember "They're wearing black because they are going to a bleeping funeral!"?

Is what Mettenberger said a big deal? No, I don't think so, but he specifically suggested that Alabama was a nameless, faceless opponent. This is a little different (or at least it is being perceived to be) than AJ making a generic that statement all opponents are faceless and nameless.


That is why I would rather hear our players make statements like the one Jeoffrey Pagan made above.
 
oregonbltzkrieg

oregonbltzkrieg

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Many teams, including our own, claim to treat every opponent as the next game up, the nameless, faceless opponent, although I don't see how that's possible when you scrutinize each individual opponent every week. I don't think it's meant as an insult, I think they're just trying to get their players into a frame of mind where they aren't awed or intimidated by a very good opponent, so they can just play their game without a bunch of psychological baggage getting in the way.
 
twofbyc

twofbyc

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Well...two of their previous "nameless, faceless opponents" took 'em down. So, if that's their routine, one game at a time etc....maybe they better twerk it...?
 
IH8Orange

IH8Orange

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There's two sources of motivation: official and unofficial.

I assume that the coaching staff do try to make their preparation and practices "team-agnostic" whereby they focus as much as possible on the impersonal properties of the opposition to prevent biases from possibly undermining specific tactics and schemes that they want to install. So, the coaches would like the players to believe that Bama is not practicing to face "LSU"(a team whose very name brings various responses from players and coaches) , but instead is practicing to face a team that:

  • has a QB that has been typically inconsistent during his career, but has talent and ability and seemed to be vastly improved earlier in the season
  • has a new offensive coordinator that appears to be the impetus for this improvement
  • has a couple of very good running backs
  • has solid depth at the RB position
  • likes to run inside most of the time
  • has two outstanding receivers
  • has a young, but talented defense
  • has a defensive coordinator with many years of experience and a steady record of success
  • has a head coach that is an oddity (to be kind)

At game time, the staff might have some particular motivational methods that are specific to the opponent, but I doubt that they want to use anything said by a player on the other team to evoke an emotional reaction because that could inadvertently lead to a personal foul or other undesired actions by our players. Typically, emotion only lasts for a few series and then preparation, discipline, strength, endurance, talent, and will takes over. The primary motivation is likely an entreaty to maintain focus at all times and to not be dazzled in the lights, intimidated by the situation, or befuddled by a feint. CNS repeatedly tells the players to trust their preparation, so I believe that he places a lot of importance on it.

Players individually may use statements by opposing players or coaches to self-motivate, but it's probably not a staple of the staff's last-minute mental preparation.
 
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