Alabama is heading into the College Football Playoff as the top seed with a 13-0 record that has transpired by an average score of 48-15.
That should not, according to Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, be confused with a team entering its Dec. 29 semifinal date against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl with a lot of momentum.
“I don’t think we finished the season as well as we started it,” Saban said. “I don’t know if our team got a little bit tired mentally and physically. You always want your team to be playing its best at the end, and I certainly think that we’re capable of playing better.”
The Crimson Tide are scheduled to begin on-campus preparations for the Sooners on Friday.
Alabama began this season with an offensive flourish reflected in eight mesmerizing routs in which the Tide surpassed 50 points six times and sophomore starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sat out each of those fourth quarters. The start of November resulted in Alabama’s defense upstaging its offense in shutout victories over LSU (29-0) and Mississippi State (24-0).