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Any team hoping to take down No. 1 Alabama has to start here

AJ McCarron threw a school-record 30 touchdowns last season in leading 'Bama to back-to-back titles.

AJ McCarron threw a school-record 30 touchdowns last season in leading 'Bama to back-to-back titles.

The fear of losing -- far more than the joy of winning -- is what drives Saban. And there he was late on Saturday, the last Tide staff member stepping onto an idling team bus, his face still a portrait of midgame intensity more than two hours after the final whistle. He took a seat in the front row and as Trailways #99384 rolled into the Georgia darkness, Saban wore the concerned look of a man with a problem. Only 13 days remained until he came face to face with Johnny Football. Make no mistake: The best college football coach of his generation was worried.

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