Nick Saban pleased with how Alabama's offensive line has developed over the season

The offensive line has been a work in progress at different points for Alabama this season. Even so, their development has finally reached a point that has made Nick Saban proud.

Saban spoke about the growth from the Crimson Tide’s big men in the trenches during his weekly appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Thursday. To him, that unit has just been a work in progress all year. That’s because each of his linemen have different circumstances that they’re coming from. Each of them have since had to learn what it took to be great individually.

“It’s different for every individual. Guys develop and progress at a different pace, a different rate,” Saban explained. “Some of it has to do with maturity. Some of it has to do with the kind of program they were in in high school and what kind of challenge they had to meet. And some of it has to do with guys not really understanding what do I really need to do to prepare to be able to play well? The mindset that you need to have to be able to play at a higher level.”

“You’ve got a lot of guys that have just been better than everybody else that they played against. So there was no significance to paying attention to detail,” said Saban. “Now, you get to college and you’re playing against guys that are equal or better than what you’re used to. You’ve got to pay attention to detail, you’ve got to prepare, and you’ve got to do the little things right.”

Over the first nine games, Alabama gave up 37 sacks for an average of 4.11 per game. They were getting decent enough push in the run game with a mark of 3.9 yards per carry in that time but, overall, it wasn’t proving to be one the Crimson Tide’s better groups.

However, the steps that they’ve taken have started to show as of late.

After giving up four or more sacks in every game before their bye besides the opener, Alabama has allowed just two in their last two games. That includes zero in their latest win in Lexington over Kentucky. It’s also a stretch that includes ‘Bama’s best two-game sample at any point this season when it comes to yards per rush with an average of 5.2 against the Tigers and Wildcats.

There has been a lot to learn and plenty of strides for them to make as a unit this fall. Now, with two games to go, the offensive line for the Tide is right where Saban wants them to be.

“I am pleased with the progress that the offensive line has made,” said Saban. “I think they’re playing together now, communicating better now than they did all season.”