Nick Saban reveals where Alabama has improved the most

heads into the SEC Championship Game with a shot at a College Football Playoff berth with a win, something few around the Crimson Tide probably considered a legitimate possibility following an early season loss to

But here the Crimson Tide are, ready to put it all on the line in an attempt to leapfrog a few teams for a playoff berth.

At a press conference before the SEC title game on Thursday, coach Nick Saban revealed where his team has progressed the most since that Texas loss.

“I think the team has improved dramatically in terms of transformation of confidence, playing together, good leadership,” Saban said. “But if you had to say where did we improve the most, I would say it’s probably offensively.”

That comes as little surprise. Alabama was a complete mess offensively in the first month of the season.

Jalen Milroe was just 14-of-27 passing for 255 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions against the Longhorns. He was promptly benched, with two other Alabama quarterbacks getting a shot against

They fared even worse.

So the Crimson Tide went back to Milroe and he has slowly developed into one of the league’s best playmakers.

“The transformation of Jalen Milroe at quarterback to be productive has been huge in terms of elevating the confidence of the entire offensive team, the improvement in the offensive line has helped us be able to have a little bit better balance in the game,” Saban said. “The receivers have all played better.”

As things stand, Milroe has run for more than 100 yards in two of his last four games. He’s run for seven touchdowns in that span.

But he’s proving to be more than just an explosive athlete, too. His pinpoint accurate throw on fourth-and-31 against helped preserve Alabama’s season and shot at a College Football Playoff berth.

Milroe has thrown for eight touchdowns in the past three games.

He’ll need to be good again in the SEC Championship Game to give Alabama a shot against . But make no mistake about it, he’s already come a long way.

“If there was a specific area I would say that would be it, but I think the team as a whole has also improved because of their confidence,” Saban said. “Playing with more confidence.”

Alabama and Georgia will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday with a broadcast on CBS.