Nick Saban shares message to team following CFP loss to Michigan

The Alabama Crimson Tide fell to the Michigan Wolverines 27-20 in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Down just three points at halftime (13-10), however, head coach Nick Saban knew he needed to wake up his team.

"I said we're not playing Alabama football. We're not executing very well. We're not playing with great intensity," Saban stated on "The Pat McAfee Show." "I said, 'you guys were all hootin' and hollerin' in here before the game. That's like whistling in the graveyard, man.' You got to go compete. You got to go execute. You got to have discipline to execute."

Saban's halftime message worked for the majority of the second half. Alabama scored 10 unanswered points to lead 20-13. But the team's shutout ended after 28 minutes and 26 seconds.

Michigan was able to tie the game with just 1:34 left to take the game into overtime, where it won thanks to its defense stuffing QB Jalen Milroe on a fourth-and-goal attempt at the three-yard line.

Saban believed his team played well up until 4:41 left in regulation. But he added that Alabama had several opportunities to make it a two-score game and didn't.

His messaging is quickly shifting now that the season has come to an abrupt halt. 

"Well we're not enjoying life after getting beat I can tell you that," Saban added. "I think it's always a motivation for you when the season doesn't end like you want it to. Players are usually hungry and want to prove something. Hopefully that'll be the case with our team."

The rest of college football seems to be catching up to Saban as Alabama has now gone back-to-back years without being featured in the national title game. Maybe the team's latest loss will force Saban to reconsider his approach for the 2024 season.