Alabama coach Nick Saban

Alabama’s Nick Saban held court Wednesday morning at SEC Media Days and shared his opinions on last year’s loss to Clemson in the national championship game, team building, the strive for perfection and the transfer portal, among other topics. Saban is expected to have another national championship contender this season with many pundits expecting a rematch with Clemson in the title game. Saban’s numbers at Alabama truly are staggering…in 12 seasons he’s lost a total of 21 games and only 13 in the SEC. And this season he will bring his team back to Columbia to face USC on September 14th. The Crimson Tide will open the season in Atlanta August 31st against Duke.

Nick Saban at SEC Media Days

Alabama at a glance (compiled by Menachem Muller)

                                                   Overall           Conference

Alabama Crimson Tide              14-1                    8-0           Lost National Championship to Clemson

Nick Saban 13th season           146-21                83-13

Offense 2018 SEC Rank NCAA Rank
Points Per game 45.6 1 3
Rushing Yards per game 198.4 7 42
Passing yards per game 323.6 2 6
Total yards per game 522.0 1 6
Defense
Points allowed per game 18.1 3 12
Rushing yards allowed per game 123.9 3 19
Passing yards allowed per game 201.6 5 33
Total yards allowed per game 325.5 3 16

The Tide return 16 starters, 7 on offense, 7 on defense, and the Kicker and Punter.

   Statistical Leaders Returning

QB Yards TDS INT PCT
Tua Tagovailoa 3966 43 6 69.0
RB Games Yards TD AVG
Tua Tagovailoa 15 190 5 3.3
WR Games Yards TD REC
Jerry Jeudy 15 1315 14 68
Henry Ruggs 14 741 11 46
Defense Tackles TFL INT Sacks
Raekwon Davis 55 5.5 0 1.5
Dylan Moses 86 10.0 0 3.5
Shyheim Carter 43 3.5 2 0
Xavier McKinney 74 6.0 2 3.0

Returning Starters Offense    

QB Tua Tagovailoa                                        

WR DeVonta Smith

WR Jerry Jeudy

WR Henry Ruggs

LT Alex Leatherwood

RG Matt Womack

RT Jedrick Wills Jr.

Returning Starters Defense

DE Raekwon Davis

LB Dylan Moses

LB Anfernee Jennings

CB Shyheim Carter

CB Patrick Surtain

CB Trevon Diggs

S Xavier McKinney

Special Teams

K Joseph Bulovas

P Mike Bernier  

Key Losses

RB Damien Harris

TE Irv Smith Jr.  

LT Jonah Williams

C Ross Pierschbacher

DE Isaiah Buggs

DT Quinnen Williams

LB Mack Wilson

CB Saivion Smith

CB Deionte Thompson