The humility in Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin's voice was as sincere as his offense was potent, unpredictable and balanced.
"Make no mistake. This is still a defensive team, a team with a defensive mentality," Kiffin said late Friday night as he stood on the AT&T Stadium field amid the falling confetti and the cameras.
He had just watched his offense take apart one of the best defenses in the country in a 38-0 thrashing of Michigan State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, but it wasn't the way anybody necessarily expected the Crimson Tide to roll on offense.