Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban couldn't help but smile after his team took down the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl. Well, who wouldn't be? After all, Saban and Co. survived an epic four OT clash to improve to 11-1 on the season.

Following the contest, Saban was left speechless over the win. While Alabama entered the game as heavy favorites, it still wasn't an easy match-up to say the least. Auburn actually led after three quarters, 10-0, before a fourth quarter run allowed the Crimson Tide to force OT.

“I can’t put it into words,” Saban said of the win, per Saturday Down South. “For the guys to keep fighting like they did, and they have the 90-some yard drive to tie the game and get to overtime. The players, I’m so proud of the way they competed in the game and fought. We said that’s what we wanted to do at halftime and I couldn’t be prouder of them. It was unbelievable.”

Alabama needed a two-point conversion from John Metchie off a Bryce Young throw to close out the game, 24-22, as Nick Saban acknowledged they looked “out of sorts” for the most part. Nonetheless, the Crimson Tide did not falter and stepped up when they needed it the most.

Their performance was far from perfect, but Alabama showed they can win even in ugly games. It is also the first Iron Bowl that went to overtime, so Saban's men would certainly feel good about the victory.

“I was really just trying to get our guys to focus on executing. I think they were a little bit out of sorts and I could kinda see it in their eyes. I just wanted them to go play. I told them to have fun at halftime. I told them, ‘just go have fun man, quit worrying about the result and just go have fun,” Saban furthered.

Alabama has every reason to celebrate the win; however, they know the job is far from over. The No. 3 squad now heads to the SEC Championship game to face the undefeated No. 1 team Georgia in what should be another hard-fought affair.