NEW ORLEANS -- Alabama's defense needed time to rest and a stage on which to shine.
The opportunity emerged after the playoff selection committee slotted Alabama at No. 4 despite no division or league title. Twenty nine days later -- and 37 days after Alabama's last game -- the Tide defense took the field looking fresh, fast and forceful.
In other words, normal again.
By the end of the night, there were no questions about linebacker attrition, or a seemingly unremarkable defensive line, or the lack of defensive touchdowns, the hallmark of last year's Tide D.