Back to the NCAA Newsfeed

Opinion: Alabama lost to Clemson because nobody saw 'oil leaking or bald tires' on defense

Check out what Alabama coach Nick Saban and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had to say after falling to Clemson 44-16 in the national championship game. USA TODAY Sports

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Way back in October, when Alabama was rolling over opponent after opponent and everyone was marveling at the Crimson Tide’s new offensive approach – and especially, the fantastic results – Nick Saban issued a warning.

“Everybody sees the pretty convertible, or the pretty girls driving it,” he said. “But nobody sees the oil leaking or the bald tires.”

Monday night, the machine malfunctioned.