Alabama had the doubters sounding the alarm after an early-season loss to Texas, but coach Nick Saban has the No. 8 Crimson Tide (8-1) running full steam toward the SEC Championship Game.

“Night and day does not give it the proper description,” ESPN commentator Paul Finebaum said on the McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning podcast on Monday. “It’s an evolution.”

“The coaching staff showed patience after they were impatient, and [quarterback] Jalen Milroe delivered, and he’s capable of doing many, many things,” Finebaum added. “I know a lot of fans still cringe a couple of times  a game, but that happens to … every quarterback.”

Milroe has 1,836 yards passing for 13 TDs versus 5 interceptions, and he has 297 yards rushing and 9 TDs. The offense eclipsed 40 points for the second time this season on Saturday but against a ranked LSU team this time around.

Up next, the Tide faces Kentucky before closing out the season with Chattanooga and Auburn. Winning out would set a date for the Tide with Georgia, most likely, in the SEC Championship Game at Atlanta on Dec. 2.

“I think these next couple weeks are going to be interesting to see how this team glides toward what is trending as the biggest game in the SEC,” Finebaum said.