Nick Saban says he's having 'fun' coaching up-and-down Alabama - ESPN

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. The challenges are great. I enjoy coaching this team. That's not to say they're not taking years off my life. But I'm OK with it. It's fun because they've got a good spirit about them.»

Saban said it has been a fun group to coach because of the players' competitive spirit, the relationships they have and their ability to take coaching.

Milroe was benched a week after throwing two interceptions against Texas. In the five games since he was reinstated as the starter, he has thrown eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

«I don't think we sometimes show the maturity from a competitive standpoint to do everything on a consistent basis, which is what we keep trying to work toward,» Saban said. «But I'll tell you, eight weeks in a row [without a bye] and the grind that we've had the last 4-5 weeks with the games in our league, I think psychologically we