Alabama's Nick Saban leaning towards starting Jake Coker on Saturday

Alabama's Cooper Bateman started Saturday's sloppy loss against Ole Miss, but head coach Nick Saban is leaning towards starting Jake Coker in the next game.

"At this point, providing he does the things he has to do, I think we'll start him (Coker) in this game," Saban said Monday.

Coker - who started the first two games of the year - went 21-for-45 with 201 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions Saturday after coming in for Bateman.

Saban insists on better ball protection from his team, as his quarterbacks combined for three turnovers in the loss to the Rebels.

"The most important thing is the ball, the ball, the ball. If every offensive possession ends in a kick. A punt, a field goal or an extra point, I'm good with that. So you tell me what part of that is going to make you force the ball?" Saban said.

Alabama is on the ropes after the upset loss, and has a good chance to bounce back against Louisiana Monroe on Saturday. The Tide will need to fix all problems before they head to Georgia to play the Bulldogs in Week 5.