How much of Tide's success this year is due to the player's character?

I have been extremely impressed by the leadership on this year's team. It is not the most athletically gifted team in Tide history, but it is coming close to performing at its optimal level.

Barrett Jones embodies leadership and character, and he his making our line calls at center. He is a 5th year senior, 3 time All American, and Outland Trophy winner. He also suggested to Nuss that they run a screen pass on the last drive against LSU.

Robert Lester is also a 5th year senior. He is making the calls in our secondary. Our inexperienced secondary has played much better than expected thru 9 games. Lester has taken responsibility over the unit and has it performing well.

Nico Johnson and C.J. Mosely are upperclassmen LBs who are performing at a high level. They are making defensive calls and are keeping the rest of the defensive front 7 functioning more efficiently than last year's record setting Tide run defense.

A.J. McCarron is a redshirt junior QB who is calling audibles at the line of scrimmage, and leading Bama on winning TD drives in the two minute offense.

All these guys are quality people along with being outstanding football players. Bama has had better, more talented players but I am not sure that Bama has had better leaders. I do not think you can overstate the importance of the character of these young men in assessing the accomplishments of this year's team. You don't come back in Tiger Stadium in the last two minutes without character and leadership.

Georgia has more NFL talent on their defense, Bama has more character and leadership on their team. Only one team is unbeaten in the SEC.