The 2023 season has been rough going at times for Alabama football despite its 6-1 record and 4-0 mark in SEC play. Along with the loss to Texas, the Crimson Tide have struggled in wins against South Florida and Arkansas, and have generally looked uneven throughout the year.

Still, UA has kept winning. During his Thursday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, head coach Nick Saban gave a clue as to why, and revealed his favorite trait of the 2023 squad.

“Our team is showing great resiliency in being able to win games,” Saban said. “And I think that’s really, really important and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

Saban went on to reiterate a point he has made since the close call against Arkansas on Saturday. Alabama needs to learn how to beat other teams, not just win games.

He said the Tide lost its focus late in the game against Arkansas after getting out to a 24-6 lead, with the game ending 24-21 after the Razorbacks mounted a comeback.

“It’s a great lesson for everybody to learn that when you have the right sort of mental intensity and focus, how well you play,” Saban said. “And then when you lose that for whatever reasons: scoreboard, get relieved, ‘Relief syndrome’ I call it, like ‘We got this,’ how people can take advantage of that lack of intensity that you play with. So hopefully, that’s a lesson that our players learned.”

McAfee asked Saban if he thought the 2023 team was developing during the season more than Alabama groups of years past. Saban agreed with the assertion.

“I’m very pleased with the way this team has developed,” Saban said. “Now, we still have lots of room to grow and that’s something that we’re embracing the challenge on.”

Alabama will be back in action Saturday against Tennessee in Tuscaloosa. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. and will be aired on CBS.