As Alabama fans count down the days until the Crimson Tide hits the playing surface of Mercedes Benz Stadium, another noted Alabama alumnus gets ready to take the reins of a popular college football pregame show.

Rece Davis will assume the host chair for his third season as ESPN will debut their 31st season of College GameDay from Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium.

Davis stepped Inside the Locker Room to provide his analysis of what lies ahead for the 2017 college football season.

The host of College GameDay talked about a number of topics relating to Alabama including Nick Saban’s personality away from the spotlight.

“He’s a really engaging and interesting guy. He’s one of the more interesting guy I’ve been around in coaching.” Davis said. “He’s not a goof around, cut up with just everybody that he comes in contact with, but I do think that guys who played for him will tell you he’s got a great sense of humor.”

Davis further reinforced how Saban’s public persona as a taskmaster isn’t always accurate.

“He’s not what people have perceived that every second of every day he’s sitting there locked in on tape and thinking who he can yell at next.” Davis said.

Looking ahead to the Alabama’s matchup with Florida State, Deondre Francois will begin his second season as the signal caller for the Seminoles. Davis

“Short answer to that is yes.” Davis said. “I really think Deondre Francois is an outstanding quarterback. He’s a terrific passer. He’s tough. I don’t think anyone took more vicious hits than Deondre Francois did last year and continued to get up, come back in the game and continued to deliver the football.”

While praising Jimbo Fisher’s ability to develop quarterbacks at an elite level, Davis cited a consistent theme that has put teams like Clemson in position to beat Alabama and how Francois allows FSU to be in this position.

“If you are going to beat Alabama, you either have to have an exception quarterback or have your quarterback have an exceptional day and in some cases, both.” Davis stated. “They (Florida State) certainly have that part of the equation.”

ESPN College GameDay’s host also talked the culture of various programs around college football and the state of the Big XII.

Catch Inside the Locker Room every weekday from 7-9 AM on Tide 102.9/100.9 and the radioPup app.

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