Definitely high tide for Alabama

Nick Saban told Alabama fans he had never coached a more determined or dedicated team than the one that just polished off its second national championship in three years. “I’ve never seen a more dominant performance than what they did in the national championship game against LSU,” Saban said to an estimated 32,000 fans filling one side of Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. The Crimson Tide celebrated the title nearly two weeks after that 21-0 win over LSU. The coaches and players crowded onto a stage set up at midfield. Left tackle Barrett Jones and departing stars like Trent Richardson, Dont’a Hightower (pictured with Saban at right) and Mark Barron spoke after winning what the school counts as the program’s 14th national title. – AP