Complacency, or rather avoiding it, has been a topic of conversation in Tuscaloosa this week.

Alabama football is one win away from its first appearance in the Southeastern Conference championship game since 2021. Its next opponent, Kentucky, has dropped three of its last four. Yet, as UA head coach Nick Saban has made clear in multiple interviews, the Wildcats present a physical test different than LSU or Tennessee had previously.

UA head coach Nick Saban addressed the media after Wednesday’s practice to preview the challenges Kentucky faces as well as which players are progressing from their injuries.

On linebacker Deontae Lawson (ankle) and defensive back Jaylen Key (quad), Saban said their status is still unclear for the 11 a.m. CT kickoff on Saturday. Both departed last week’s game against LSU.

“They haven’t been able to practice yet, but it’s still kind of day-to-day,” Saban said. “If guys can’t practice on Thursday it’s probably pretty tough for them to practice in the game. So maybe we’ll know more tomorrow.”

Here are the other highlights from Saban’s presser.

–Saban said players were “a little sluggish” on Tuesday and had a better practice on Wednesday.

–Kentucky “prides itself” on being the more physical team and that’s something Alabama will need to combat this weekend.

–Saban said they should know more about the game status of Lawson and Key on Thursday.

–Left tackle Kadyn Proctor is playing with more confidence and “is continuing to improve” after being apprehensive at the start of his freshman season.

–”We may not have all of our defensive players ready to play,” Saban said when asked about run defense and how that’ll be challenged against Kentucky.

–Saban said the Wildcats play a lot of zone defense which allows them to limit the negative plays. Meanwhile, as an offense, play-action passes and motion can lead to downfield throws with maximum protection for Kentucky.

–Former Saban assistant Curt Cignetti, he coached wider receivers and was recruiting coordinator from 2007-10 is 9-0 with James Madison this season and Saban congratulated him for his start.

“I know they bumped up (from FCS to FBS). I hear people talking about the fact that they don’t qualify to be in the playoffs or whatever because this is their first year, I don’t know what the significance of that rule is.”

–Saban said slight deviations in opponents gameplans can lead to Alabama struggling on first drives.

“It always comes down to how you execute? … It’s great to start fast and to finish strong.”

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].