Paul Finebaum calls this year one of the most incredible seasons of Nick Saban's coaching career
Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide were able to get redemption from last season’s heartbreaking loss on Saturday, defeating Tennessee 34-20 in come-from-behind fashion in front of their home crowd.
Alabama has been winning differently this season, finding themselves down 20-7 at halftime before going on a 27-0 scoring run in the second half to finish the game. ESPN’s Matt Barrie believes the style of win describes who Alabama is this season, which Paul Finebaum thinks is a credit to their legendary head coach in charge.
“It is, and when Saban came by our show early in the morning Matt he talked about the craziness of this team,” Finebaum said. “But he seems to really have been challenged by it and I think once we move past the second or third game of the season, Nick Saban has taught a masterclass in why he’s the best coach of all time and why I think this is one of the most incredible seasons of his coaching career.”
Saban has spoken about how his team has grown during the season following their disappointing two-week stretch featuring a home loss to Texas and an underachieving showing versus USF. Which Finebaum believes has now set up the Crimson Tide to roll right into the SEC Championship game for a date against reigning conference and national champion Georgia Bulldogs.
“And right now there are not many more obstacles until Atlanta and then it’s a go for broke against Georgia and see if you can get back to the playoffs,” Finebaum said.
The Crimson Tide do still have a date next weekend versus No. 15 ranked LSU, who defeated Alabama in overtime last season and boast the SEC’s best offense so far this season. But Finebaum still favors the adversity Saban has battled and his ability to keep Alabama undefeated in conference play so far this season.
“He has to get the credit, there were a lot of mistakes made on the quarterback side in terms of what to do, and when to do it, and how to do it with Tommy Rees,” Finebaum said. “But since then, it’s a tough team to watch at times but tell me they’re not one of the best teams in the country. And I’m not talking about the two or three best, but the next group that’s snapping. And one thing that I’ll offer, I think had Tommy Rees not been so stubborn about trying to get his guy in they could’ve given Jalen Milroe confidence earlier and I think they probably would have beaten Texas.”
Milroe started in Week 1 for Alabama, throwing for 194 yards and scoring five total touchdowns ahead of starting versus Texas in Week 2. But there’s no doubt that his confidence has continued to grow throughout the season.
There’s also no doubt that Saban has been getting the most out of his team this season, as they’ll look to keep their winning streak going this Saturday as they host LSU.