Bama notebook: Saban not concerned with rankings

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama coach Nick Saban met news of his team’s No. 1 ranking in the AP poll this week and No. 2 standing in the first BCS poll with his trademark mix of disdain and apathy.

“Nothing’s really changed for our guys,” Saban said Monday. “I mean, what does it matter? What’s changed from this week, from this Monday to last Monday? What’s changed?”

Since it’s the next game, Saban called this week’s showdown against rival Tennessee “the most important game of the year.”

Linebacker Rolando McClain has learned much from Saban, including his approach to the polls. Reporters asked the junior about being ranked No. 1.

He didn’t know the Crimson Tide had passed Florida in the AP poll.

“I know it doesn’t matter to me,” he said.

“We just want to show the world that we are the best,” McClain said Monday. “To be the best, you have to play very good opponents. In the SEC, everybody is good.”

Injury update: The Tide has accumulated its share of aches and pains in the first seven weeks of the season. The most notable injury last week was cornerback and return specialist Javier Arenas, who missed the South Carolina game due to bruised ribs.

Arenas was back at practice on Monday — a one-hour workout in shells on a beautiful day.

“This is not an injury that is something that is going to get worse,” Saban said. “This is an injury that is strictly one that when you can manage the pain, you’re fine. But managing the pain, it still hurts, it’s still a problem.”

Saban said Arenas will be day-to-day this week.

Freshman defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick had a back spasm during Saturday night’s game, Saban said.

“He should be fine,” the coach said. “Whether he’s fine today or not, we’ll have to see.”

He added that backup nose tackle Josh Chapman (abdominal strain) and receiver Michael Bowman (patella tendon strain) are also day-to-day.

Penalties a problem: Saban said Saturday’s penalties in the kicking game were among the most alarming parts of his team’s tough 20-6 victory over South Carolina.

Alabama was penalized 10 times for 113 yards, but half of those came in the kicking game.

“We had five special teams penalties, which is something that we always emphasize we need to play penalty-free in the kicking game,” Saban said. “It affects field position tremendously, so we’re going to have to use better judgment in a lot of those situations so that we don’t end up shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Julio Jones, who subbed for Arenas, returned five punts for 75 yards, but his production would have been even greater had a couple returns not been shortened by flags.

Another penalty was an offensive interference call against tight end Colin Peek.

“That’s the craziest thing ever,” Peek said when asked about the flag. “My coach, Bobby Williams, told me he didn’t know why they called it, or how they called it.”

Peek said he was doing what he was coached to do — put his body against the defender — and got called.

“The ref said, ‘Hey 84, you can’t do that. That’s illegal,’” Peek said. “I’m not going to stop playing that way, so hopefully the refs, I guess they can pick on me that way. As long as Saban doesn’t get mad at me, it’s all cool.”

Players of the Week: Mark Ingram was the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Week after his 24-carry, 246-yard performance against South Carolina. Not surprisingly, Ingram was also a player of the week selection by the Crimson Tide coaching staff. He and right guard Barrett Jones were the offensive players.

On defense, Rolando McClain, Marquis Johnson, Lorenzo Washington and Tyrone King were all selected.

Punter P.J. Fitzgerald, punt returner Julio Jones and Roy Upchurch were recognized for their play on special teams.

Tennessee Week: It’s no longer the third Saturday in October, but it is Tennessee Week for Alabama.

The series dates back to 1901 and is one of the most colorful in college football.

Players, even without Alabama roots, talked about this being a special week.

“It’s a game that means a lot to the fan base — and with it meaning a lot to the fan base, it means a lot to us,” quarterback Greg McElroy said.

“You don’t hear about it like you do the Iron Bowl. But when you get here, as a player, this game means as much as any because of the talent level and the teams that Tennessee has had in recent years. It means a lot to me.”

McClain, however, said he’ll treat this one like he treats every game.

“To me personally, it doesn’t mean a lot,” the linebacker from Decatur said. “I don’t have any ties to Alabama or Tennessee besides the tradition of playing every year. ... I just know I’m playing against a good team that’s well-coached. It’s just an opportunity.”