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Mack Brown and Nick Saban are determined to make sure their football teams enjoy the ride at the BCS national championship game - whether that ride is in teacups, miniature bobsleds or even jungle cruise boats.
Texas and Alabama invaded Disneyland on Saturday for a sun-kissed afternoon of recreation after their spirited morning practices elsewhere in Orange County.
The top-ranked Crimson Tide and the No. 2 Longhorns were given an afternoon to enjoy a few fruits of their grueling undefeated seasons before they culminate at the Rose Bowl on Thursday night. The players were easy to spot in their BCS sweat suits and were crowded by autograph seekers and memorabilia sellers at times in the Disney complex.
``We want them to enjoy Disneyland,'' said Brown, whose Longhorns have won five straight bowl games. ``It's one of the most wonderful places in the world for entertainment, and this is one of the rewards they get for winning, (for being) in the last game of the year. ... It's too hard to get here not to enjoy it, so we're going to enjoy the week, enjoy being here, and try to play our best game. We still haven't played our best game yet.''
Saban, the Tide's buttoned-down third-year coach, echoed the folksier Brown's philosophy about the week of southern California activities, which include everything from bountiful team dinners to sightseeing excursions.
``I don't think they need to think about playing this game every minute of every day,'' Saban said. ``I think there's a balance in everyone's life that they should have relative to other things that they do, and being able to focus when the time is right ... and bring it to sort of a crescendo when the game comes.''
Judging by the shouts of encouragement and excitement from fans who saw Saban's exit from a restaurant in the Downtown Disney complex, the teams' fans already are anticipating the SEC champion Crimson Tide (13-0) against the Big 12 title-winning Longhorns (13-0).
Alabama is narrowly favored over the Longhorns on the strength of its strong conference finish with a victory over Florida, and Brown can't argue.
``Now the dream becomes the goal,'' Brown said. ``Our guys are understanding that a lot of people don't think we'll win the game on Thursday night. We understand that. We didn't have great momentum coming out of the season, and Alabama did, so give them credit. ... Our guys understand we're up against a great opponent, but we also understand it's for the national championship, and what a window of opportunity for most teams.''
While Brown chatted amiably with reporters and well-wishers Saturday, Saban seemed a bit more eager to move on to the rest of his day. While Disneyland is a good distraction, there are plenty of negative diversions he's hoping to keep out of his Crimson Tide's minds this week.
Saban's experience in winning a national championship with LSU after the 2003 season taught him plenty about finding a balance between enjoying such an incredible stage while still keeping perspective on what's really important about the week.
``I call it the clutter,'' Saban said, echoing a phrase he's already leaned upon during the bowl countdown. ``How important the game is, what winning or losing the game means, the consequences of the game. As a competitor, those are really all the things that you don't want to think about. What you want to think about is, 'What do I have to do to play my best game?'
``I think those distractions can affect people, and that's what we really try to emphasize to our players. We've got to stay focused on the right things.''
Brown already announced two bits of player news when the Longhorns arrived in California, saying defensive end Russell Carter had been ruled academically ineligible and freshman defensive back Marcus Davis will transfer. Davis has been suspended since being arrested Nov. 28 and charged with suspicion of driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance.
Saban said Alabama cornerback Marquis Johnson is practicing normally, but with a cast on his broken left thumb. Johnson, who usually plays in the Tide's nickel package, leads the team with 16 pass breakups.
