LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — For the fifth straight season, Alabama is 3-0 — and nobody needs to tell the Crimson Tide how little that can mean.

Saban was hired to bring championship football back to Alabama — and fans want more than just September victories. Last year Alabama started 3-0 and finished 7-6. In 2006, a 3-0 start became a 6-7 season and the end of Mike Shula’s coaching tenure.