Paul Finebaum: âNick Saban has coached his finest seasonâ

A day after Alabama defeated visiting LSU 42-28, Paul Finebaum said this season has been Nick Saban’s best.

Finebaum, who appeared on “SportsCenter” on Sunday, said the difference between the Crimson Tide team which took the field against the Tigers on Saturday night vs. the team that lost to the Longhorns is significant.

“Since that moment where Alabama was really humiliated down the stretch against Texas, Nick Saban has coached his finest season, I think, in his entire career,” Finebaum said. “It has been absolutely virtuoso. It’s been brilliant. He has dialed up all the right moves, especially in the second half. His offense has, at times, struggled in the first half.

“But, Jalen Milroe, and by the way, we all remember he was benched for the third game of the year. Remember Tyler Buchner? That’s going to be a trivia question if Alabama wins the national championship, who started that second game? We all know it’s all about the defense. Nick Saban, we know he masterminds that, and kudos to him. It’s been absolutely amazing to watch.”

Jalen Milroe rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns and passed for another 219 yards to lead No. 8 Alabama to a 42-28 victory over No. 13 LSU on Sunday. Milroe matched big plays both running and passing with the Tigers’ Heisman Trophy candidate Jayden Daniels and the Crimson Tide moved closer to locking down an SEC West title.

Daniels left the game early in the fourth quarter after a hard hit that drew a flag. CBS reported he was in concussion protocol.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.