The 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide is a team that made history in more ways than one and will be fondly remembered, even if they fell short of their ultimate goal of winning a national championship.
For one thing, it was the final game played by Alabama's coach Nick Saban.
But more than that, according to Saban himself, the team improved more throughout the season than any team in the Nick Saban era.
Despite struggling through the first month, the Tide reeled off 11 straight wins, were undefeated in the SEC and beat Georgia in Atlanta to end the Bulldogs' chances of a three-peat.
The team's efforts resulted in a ring commemorating an SEC title that seemed unlikely, if not impossible, for much of the beginning of the year.
Skinny.
2023 SEC Champions!#Rolltide pic.twitter.com/sc4ugu2QKp
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) April 15, 2024
A team and moment I'll never forget❤️🐘 pic.twitter.com/e5eDlbalTs
— CJ Dippre (@CjDippre) April 15, 2024
Alabama's social media accounts also posted behind-the-scenes videos from A-Day, in which the team captains handed Saban the ring. Saban noted how big it was and expressed his gratitude. During the morning walk-through before the spring game, Saban also told the team:
Carry the torch. 👏#Rolltide pic.twitter.com/rf0qP4OlAe
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) April 16, 2024
As Alabama begins a new era, the program paid one final tribute to the legacy of Saban's final team before heading into 2024 and aiming for more trophies.
Michael Browner is a senior sports analyst and contributor to Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. translation:
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