TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- There was a point after the Nov. 5 showdown against LSU when the Crimson Tide very well could have folded.
Alabama's national championship aspirations were circling the drain, and the blame was being placed squarely on the shoulders of UA's struggling special teams. The defense was superb, the offense adequate. So when Jeremy Shelley and Cade Foster combined to go 2 for 6 in field goal attempts against the Tigers, the special teams drew the ire of fans.
After the loss, coach Nick Saban didn't point any fingers. He took the blame personally and refocused his team.