The coach who led Alabama to a 12-0 regular season, the SEC championship game and the Sugar Bowl last season said people see many strengths this season on paper.
Nick Saban said there are more important components than whats on paper.
"What is the passion that our team has next year? Who are the leaders? What is the goal of the team?" Saban asked, noting how the Crimson Tide answers those questions will have more of an impact on its success than the number of returning starters and which freshmen earn playing time.
"Last year, our team was a great example of what having a passion and enthusiasm can accomplish," Saban said.
Passion, he said, will determine who is successful.
"What's going to be Florida's passion? What's going to be LSU's passion? Tennessee's passion? Ours?" Saban said. "That's going to determine what happens -- passion and purpose in what we want to do, what we want to accomplish."
He said he asks his players daily, "What are you willing to do? What are you willing to invest in it? What do you want to accomplish?"
