Alabama football: Ranking Nick Saban’s championship teams with Crimson Tide

3. 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide

Record: 14-1 | Def. Clemson, 45-40, in CFP National Championship Game

Especially when you look at the four one-loss champions that Saban has produced at Alabama, you really have to start splitting hairs when it comes to determining which team is better. But we’re giving the 2015 team the nod for a couple of reasons, the first of which was running back Derrick Henry.

The Heisman Trophy-winner for that season, Henry was the epitome of a workhorse out of the backfield and the driving force of the offense. He tallied an unreal 395 carries for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns on the year. But to be sure, quarterback Jake Coker was solid as he had weapons like Calvin Ridley, Ardarius Stewart and O.J. Howard at his disposal.

But as was the case prior to the past few years, the success of the Crimson Tide hinged upon their defense. They finished third in the country in scoring, allowing only 15.1 points per game, and had elite playmakers such as Jonathan Allen, Eddie Jackson and Marlon Humphrey leading the way on that side of the ball.

For me, the big reason why this team gets the nod is the win over Clemson to capture Saban’s fourth championship with the program. That Tigers team, led by Deshaun Watson, is one of the best teams in history to not win the title. And the fact that the Tide outlasted them to get the hardware speaks to just how good they were.