Alabama might have the best football team in the country right now, but its home-field advantage needs some serious work.

The 12th Man it is not.

Nick Saban knows it, and that's why he's always preaching the same message. On Wednesday, he reeled off an 83-word run-on sentence begging Alabama fans to actually, you know, cheer on Saturday against No.22 Texas A&M. It's a constant refrain for Saban, who has been critical of fans in the past, but his sermon seemed a little more pointed this week.

"We're going to have to finish, play better, stay more focused and be able to sustain in a game for 60 minutes," Saban said, "and hopefully we'll have a big-game atmosphere in Bryant-Denny Stadium where the fans are into it, and really help our team keep the emotional level in a difficult game where it needs to be so that we can continue to persevere and execute for 60 minutes in a game, and maybe have some effect on their ability to execute."

It was like a Saban rant, but without him raising his voice and throwing his hands in the air. He wasn't done, though.

"So, we need to make our stadium an advantage for us this weekend," he went on, "and I hope our fans really respond to that."

That's a nice way of saying Bryant-Denny Stadium oftentimes feels less like a 100,000-seat football stadium in the middle of the Southeastern Conference, and more like the world's largest observatory of public surgeries.

-- We're here at Bryant-Denny Observatory, and it appears like two more pints of blood have been ordered by the chief surgeon.

-- And now the surgeon will remove the heart.

-- Oh, but wait, the surgeon has changed scalpels in the middle of the procedure!

It's probably not going to be so clinical against a Texas A&M team coached by Jimbo Fisher. He's an excellent offensive teacher, but Fisher's calling card at FSU (at least until the last season) was his team's commitment to relentless effort and toughness. Alabama is favored by nearly four touchdowns (27 points), but the Aggies kept it close last season despite playing a freshman quarterback.

Kellen Mond is now a year older after his trial by fire, and he's progressing steadily toward a breakout performance. To keep Mond off his game, Saban is emphasizing active fan engagement rather than Bryant-Denny's sporadic cheers of approval and mass exodus during the third quarter.

With the meat of Alabama's schedule finally here, maybe more specific instructions are needed. Have Alabama fans forgotten how to be fans? Saban seems concerned. If so, here's a quick refresher course in fandom for any Crimson Tiders who think Alabama is too good to need their full-throated support. If things don't improve, Saban might want to start a Friday night cheer practice like Texas A&M (which actually calls it yell practice).

Tip No.1: Enjoy the heat.

It's going to be nasty on Saturday. Embrace the burn. Don't be like Auburn fans, and make excuses.

The heat sucked the life out of Jordan-Hare Stadium last week. Did LSU win because the crowd was smoldering in silence? No, that's ridiculous, but the atmosphere definitely favored the team trying to piece together a fourth-quarter comeback on the road.

Wear a Saban-style straw hat or something.

Tip No.2: A public service announcement.

This is going to sound ludicrous, and maybe borderline offensive...but if Alabama fans really wanted to help create a home-field advantage inside Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, then they wouldn't drink (too much) alcohol before the game.

Most Alabama fans don't know what it's like to go four quarters in the heat, but it's tough work. It's a process, and that process starts long before game time. Look, it's going to be dangerously hot on Saturday. Don't be that fan passing out in the fourth quarter. Be safe. Drink something other than Pappy's whiskey.

Tip No.3: Students should never leave.

Why do students leave at halftime? Where do they go, the library?

Tip No.4: Don't forget to scream.

Eli Gold is the best play-by-play man in the country, and everyone wants to hear his calls. A lot of fans bring personal headsets to games, and the stadium provides them as well. Don't let the radio broadcast carry you away from the action, though. Sounds silly, but don't forget to cheer.

Tip No.5: Now is not the time to panic.

If for some bizarre reason Alabama is actually in a close game in the fourth quarter at home, don't be that Alabama fan who is scared into silence.

Last tip: Show some respect.

It takes one hand to count the close games at Bryant-Denny over the last five years. All that easy winning didn't come easy for the players, though. Bryant-Denny should be on its feet for the entire fourth quarter. When the players are holding up four fingers this season, get out of your seats, but not to leave.

Joseph Goodman is a columnist for the Alabama Media Group. He's on Twitter

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