Back in October, Alabama coach Nick Saban finally waved the white flag.
The longtime defensive connoisseur had seen enough. The idea that "defense wins championships," much to Saban's dismay, is a relic of college football's past.
"It used to be that good defense beats good offense," Saban said before a win over Tennessee. "Good defense doesn't beat good offense anymore."
And though the six-time national champion begrudgingly accepted that reality -- and has tailored his team into an offensive juggernaut -- the Crimson Tide still does play good defense.
And on Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T, the Alabama defense will take its toughest test of the season from high-powered Ohio State.