Saban: Tide's focus is on finishing

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WALA) - The holidays can be a distracting time when it comes to getting work done, but an Alabama team looking for a 15th national title won’t let that be the case.

Saturday, the Tide practiced indoors in front of the media.

“The main thing was, coming off of a break and making sure the guys were focused and making sure no one was overweight from eating well at home," said CJ Mosley, a linebacker from Theodore.

"That’s one thing about us, we know what our role is, what our job is and what our goal is, and when everybody on the team has that focus and that mentality it’s not that hard to come back and concentrate.”

Head Coach Nick Saban keeps that focus for Notre Dame by preaching a single, solitary idea: finishing.

“They stopped two or three teams on the goal line this year, so you know, finishing drives," Saban said.  "All these things comes down to finish, finish, finish.  Finish practice today; it has to be a mindset that you’re going to finish everything that you do.”

Wide receiver Christion Jones buys into the theory.

“We try to focus a lot on finishing because if you play three quarters and don’t finish the fourth quarter you could lose the game. So you have to finish, start fast and finish strong," Jones said.

Part of the preparations are focused on Bama's pass rush, which Saban acknowledged as a weakness. Facing a dynamic playmaker like Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golston, the Tide will need all hands on deck on defense.

A key storyline leading up to the big game is the availability of All-American center Barrett Jones.  Jones has been sidelined with a foot injury.  If he is unable to go, Ryan Kelly steps into his place.  

Jones was the recipient of the Rimington Trophy this season, given to the nation’s best center.

Whether the Tide will be able to finish remains to be seen at the BCS Championship game on January 7.