The 10 Greatest College Football Teams Coached by Nick Saban

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers safety Braylon Webb (9) forces Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) out of bounds in the first quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. Alabama beat Missouri 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

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The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide wasNick Saban’s first national championship team in Tuscaloosa — and is the only one so far that has completed the season undefeated. So why does this Tide team rank outside the top three on this top ten list? Quite simply, there are a few teams that had the misfortune of losing a game but that have been far more dominant over the course of an entire season despite that setback.

The defense did its part, ranking second in the country in points allowed. But despite being led by Greg McElroy and featuring Heisman winner Mark Ingram on offense, the Tide actually ranked only 22nd nationally in scoring that season despite all the firepower. With close calls against teams like 7-6 Tennessee and 8-5 Auburn, Alabama scraped by to go unbeaten. In terms of margin of victory, they rank just seventh among Saban teams (but fourth when strength-of-schedule adjustments are made).

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