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
