The Nick Saban Show got off to a hot start in the debut of its 13th season.

Coming back from the first commercial break, the Alabama football coach issued his first test of FCC standards.

It was a slow burn.

“I watch football on TV sometimes and there’s a lot of things I see,” Saban said unprompted by a question. “Self-indulgent behavior. Players bringing attention to themselves. A lack of discipline. When you don’t have respect for discipline.

“A lot of bad things happen. You get a lot of penalties. You get a lot of late hits. You get a lot of bad decisions. You don’t really play smart in critical situations. That’s never been the trademark of our team and that’s something we really want to reestablish with our players.”

Splash gas on the fire.

“We’ve always had a rule where the players don’t talk to the opposing team,” Saban said, his voice rising.

And then …

“I tell the players,” Saban said, “if you want to talk shit to the other team, join the god damn debate team.”

The live crowd in the Tuscaloosa restaurant cheered loudly.

“Excuse my language,” Saban quickly added. “I’m really sorry for using the lord’s name in vain. I just really get hot about what I see in sports that we promote in the media and every other way that really is not a good thing.”

Alabama opens the season Saturday against Duke.