Alabama football had its first practice in full pads Wednesday, in its sixth session of preseason camp. On Saturday, the Crimson Tide will scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Nick Saban said on Wednesday that his coach staff was excited for the chance to evaluate blocking and tackling with pads on. His players agreed when speaking with local media on Thursday.

But which side of the ball is more excited?

“Defense,” cornerback Terrion Arnold said. “I don’t really know what kind of question that is. The enthusiasm that we bring, that we have, definitely defense.”

That’s the logical answer football-wise. Typically defensive players do the hitting, while the offense tries to avoid the hits.

The defense also finally gets to prove itself in a higher-stakes scenario. Throughout the early days of preseason camp, offense tends to look better, in part because the defense can’t be quite as physical as it would ordinarily be.

Edge rusher Chris Braswell shared Arnold’s enthusiasm.

“I’m going to say the defense,” Braswell said of which group got more excited.. “I’m a defensive guy. But we both, offense and defense, we both enjoy the first day of pads, and we want to get at it, hit each other, bang with each other, get a little competition going to ultimately make each other better.”

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Still, it’s not like the offense is dreading the first day in pads. The group is still made up of football players and putting pads on is a sign that the season is drawing ever closer.

For competitors, the start of padded practice is a chance to see where they’re at physically. It’s also an opportunity for more intense competition, which certain players thrive on.

Wide receiver Jermaine Burton didn’t outright say his offensive teammates are more excited. Still, he’s ready for the battle.

“I’m going to be honest, that’s a tough question because it’s like we both love it,” Burton said. “The defense, they’re definitely going to bring the energy all day every day, pads or not. As the offense, we just love that kind of competitiveness because we’re going to see it in the season. Any time we can all go at it and make each other better, we always look forward to it.”

Alabama football scrimmages Saturday. It continues preseason camp through Aug. 26 before opening the season Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee State.