The Alabama Crimson Tide football team does not see playing in Cowboy Stadium as a hindrance to its performance. Center Barrett Jones, said he is excited to see the field and believes it will be a fun field on which to play. Although it is a professional team’s stadium, Jones does not believe the field is different than any field the team has played on in the past.

“It’ll still be 100 yards wide and 53 yards long,” Jones said. “I think after we start playing it’ll be the same.”

The Tide defense is game planning to contain Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson to the pocket to obstruct his ability to run the ball. Defensive back, Dee Milliner, said this is important because anytime he is not contained, Robinson “can take it the distance himself.”

Milliner said the Tide defense will pressure the quarterback with a pass rush in hopes that he will be able to grab a pick from a rushed pass. Milliner also said that Michigan’s quarterback is surrounded by an offensive line that can make plays.

The players are also confident in quarterback AJ McCarron’s growth in the past year. Jones said that throughout the year McCarron has matured at quarterback and is better able to understand the calls the center is making. McCarron has taken more responsibility.

Jones said the offensive line is confident in the quarterback’s ability to make calls at the line. McCarron is starting to learn about defensive fronts and coverage which Jones said they have discussed. Milliner also has confidence in McCarron’s ability. He said he is not worried about McCarron because he knows he is a great quarterback. Milliner has seen him give the defense a look and make play calls accordingly.

The team sees potential in new players and walk-ons that will play this Saturday. Walk-on, Kelly Johnson, earned the starting position at H-back. Jones said he has seen Johnson step up throughout camp this year. The center said he is aware that many walk-ons do not make it to the starting rotation but he believes Johnson’s work and experience will benefit the team. Jones also said Johnson shows the same mentality that Brad Smelley, the Tide’s starting H-back last year, had. Deion Belue has also impressed his teammates. Milliner said Blue has spent this pre-season learning plays and figuring out what to do on the field. Milliner also said he is impressed with the defensive back’s ability to make interceptions.

“He can be a homerun hitter anytime,” Milliner said. “When he catches a pick in practice, he always runs it back. When he did that the first few times I thought he was lucky then he started doing it all the time.”