Nick Saban describes how Alabama, Jalen Milroe have grown into the team they are today

After a very slow start to the season, Alabama was able to improve steadily throughout the year, eventually winning the SEC Championship Game. With that, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide were able to make the College Football Playoff for the eighth time.

Saban appeared on the College Football Playoff Selection Show, where he broke down how the Crimson Tide grew as a team into the unit that they are today.

“I think the one thing about our team that I absolutely love is, they’re a team,” Nick Saban said. “Everybody buys into the principles and the organization. They respect and trust each other. And the big thing about that is when you truly have a team, every individual on the team makes the next individual better. I think that’s what’s happened on our team through this transition that we’ve gone through from the third game of the season on, and I think it’s paid tremendous dividends for how we’ve been able to improve.”

Beyond the team as a whole, quarterback Jalen Milroe also improved at an individual level. As Nick Saban explained, that had a massive impact on getting Alabama to where it is today.

“I think Jalen learned how to be a point guard. I’ve said this many, many times. At the quarterback position, you have to distribute the ball through somebody every play. And your choices and decisions are paramount in being able to do that in an efficient manner. He learned how to do that. He learned that he just didn’t have to make every play, that him making plays was about being a point guard and distributing the ball through everybody else on the team,” Saban said.

“When the play breaks down, he’s great at making plays himself. Using that ability to really put a lot of pressure on the defense has made him a phenomenal player.”

Alabama made the College Football Playoff as the fourth seed. That means the Crimson Tide will take on Michigan in the Rose Bowl during the semifinal round.

Nick Saban on getting final College Football Playoff spot over Florida State

There was a lot of debate about whether the final College Football Playoff spot should go to Alabama or Florida State. Nick Saban knew that was a tough decision but it’s also one he agreed with in the end.

“It was a tough night. I didn’t sleep a lot because there’s a lot of good teams out there. Florida State is certainly a good team and to go undefeated in their league and, it’s unfortunate that some good team had to get left out, but I really think that our team earned the right to be here,” Saban said.

“Beat number one Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, they’ve worked hard all year to improve, and I’m really proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish together as a team.”