Alabama football: Ranking every team of the Nick Saban era
Almost every team that Nick Saban coached at Alabama was great, but which of his 17-year run in Tuscaloosa was his best?
By Josh Yourish
15. 2013 (11-2) Sugar Bowl loss
In 2013, Alabama came into the year ranked No. 1 and held onto that distinction right up until the Iron Bowl when Auburn knocked off Saban’s team 34-28. Had it been one year later, then the Crimson Tide would have certainly made the College Football Playoff and potentially avenged their only loss.
Instead, Alabama played Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl and lost 45-31 in an uninspiring performance. The Crimson Tide waltzed through a relatively soft SEC schedule that season, only facing four ranked opponents, and just two in the top 10.