Mal Moore's pledge of hiring a championship coach reached fruition in early January when he secured a commitment from Nick Saban to re-establish the Crimson Tide as a national football power. In his press conference, Saban didn't promise a title but a process that would eventually enable Alabama to compete at a high level again.

The results on the field were mixed, with a dramatic comeback to beat Arkansas and a 41-17 demolishing of Tennessee highlighting the good times. An overtime loss to Georgia and a last-minute defeat at the hands of eventual national champion LSU offered promise for better days, but there were low points with a loss to Mississippi State, Louisiana-Monroe and a sixth straight defeat at the hands of rival Auburn.

Culminating the year with a 30-24 victory over Colorado in the Independence Bowl, the prospects for the future appeared bright, especially when the staff reeled in the nation's No. 1 recruiting class for the 2008 season.