TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama coach Nick Saban grinned as he turned a cigar over in his hands, wrapped up his postgame interview and jogged over to the student section to applaud it for a job well done after the 11th-ranked Crimson Tide finished off a 34-20 win at home against No.
17 Tennessee on Saturday evening. The game felt like a microcosm of Alabama's season thus far, starting out shaky before ultimately finding a way to survive and advance.
The Tide, who have won six straight since a Week 2 loss to Texas, trailed by 13 at halftime and went on to score 27 straight against the rival Vols.
Afterward, Saban was asked about the journey this team has been on, including establishing an offensive identity with a new quarterback in Jalen Milroe and surviving closer-than-expected games against USF and Arkansas. «I love it,» Saban said of coaching this team. «It's been great.