Jalen Milroe cracked a smile at the question.

“There was a whole lot of LANKing that was going on out there,” the Alabama quarterback said after the Crimson Tide’s 42-28 win over LSU Saturday.

LANK is an acronym adopted by Alabama players this season. Let All Naysayers Know.

Acknowledging the existence of so-called naysayers might run counter to Nick Saban’s policy of not needing external motivation. But it worked for Milroe on Saturday.

It’s been a wild season for the Katy, Tx. native, who took over for Bryce Young at quarterback this year. Against his home state’s Longhorns in Week 2, he threw two interceptions and Alabama lost.

Fans called for his job and Saban gave Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson their chances. That went poorly, and the head coach ended the competition, giving Milroe the gig.

Since then, the Tide has gone undefeated in SEC play and Milroe is a huge reason why. He’s thrown 1,617 yards and 13 touchdowns and has added a major rushing threat.

That was how he helped beat the Tigers Saturday, going for 155 yards on the ground, along with four touchdowns. Afterward, Saban explained how Milroe has grown throughout the Crimson Tide’s nine games.

“It’s obvious that the guy is much more comfortable as a passer,” Saban said. “He’s reading things more quickly, getting the ball to the right guy. He’s making good decisions when he has to improvise and those things, we want to continue to help him grow and develop.”

On paper, Milroe wasn’t supposed to be the dominant quarterback in Saturday’ matchup with LSU. Tiger signal-caller Jayden Daniels could be a Heisman Trophy contender.

Daniels didn’t slack off, throwing for 219 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 163 yards and another score before leaving with a possible concussion in the fourth quarter.

“If he’s not out there, we’re not even in the game,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said. “He made a difference. But I’m sure there’s going to be some things that he would like to do better as well.”

Kelly also explained the challenge of facing Milroe at this point in the season.

“His ability to run,” Kelly said. “We talked all week about a unit pass rush. He’s elusive.”

The two quarterbacks excelled in different ways Saturday, but Milroe came out on top. He’s quick to deflect credit elsewhere, noting that he’s “not necessarily” ready to be considered a Heisman contender in his own right.

But he’s improved consistently throughout the season. His Alabama teammates are happy to give him the flowers he avoids.

“J-Mill is true,” cornerback Terrion Arnold said postgame. “I’ve been preaching that, been saying that. LANK, like I said. Let A Naysayer Know. He really went out there and he’s getting better every game. He’s not only growing as a player, but off the field. He’s growing as a leader, growing as a man truth be told.”

Alabama loves acronyms. The defense loves to talk about it’s “DOA” mentality, which stands for the obvious.

But the LANK one has stuck the most publicly. Arnold had it on his shirt after the game.

For Milroe though, the saying begs a question. He’s totally reversed the public perceptions of him.

Are there any naysayers left?

“Well,” Milroe said. “We’re gonna see.”