14 in 14: Alabama
The Tide are the standard-bearers in college football, coming off a staggeringly efficient and thrilling 2020 campaign.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Well, that was fun. The 2020 version of the Alabama Crimson Tide was one for the ages as the Tide rolled to a perfect 13-0 record, winning both the SEC Championship and the National Championship.
To put the season and program, in perspective, consider the following:
This was coach Nick Saban’s 7th national championship, passing legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant (also of Alabama lore) for most national titles won by a college football coach
This was Alabama’s 6th national title in the last 12 years
Every class recruited by Saban and his staff has won at least one national championship
In 2020, the team set 9 school records, 3 SEC records, and 1 national record
Alabama trailed only once in the second half, 24-20, against Georgia in week 4
12 of 13 games were won by 15 points or more
Alabama joined the 2004 USC squad as the only teams to score over 50 points in a national title game
The Tide is a combined 8-3 in playoff games, including winning 5 of the last 6
I think you know where we’re going with this one…so let’s get to it.
The State of the Program is...It’s Good to be King; 12/12 Biscuits
The debate over whether this is the best team in the history of college football is off and running, yet comparing the 2020 Tide to the 1947 Yale squad is a fun, yet fruitless activity. Instead, there is so much to be celebrated about this season on its own as the joy that this team brought Alabama nation, especially during a pandemic season that many believed would not take place, is truly hard to measure.
To add to the good news for Tide fans, Alabama just signed the best recruiting class in recent history (maybe of all time...time will tell) and the incoming youngsters will not only add depth to a loaded roster, but several could break into the lineup and get significant playing time as true freshmen.
What went right in 2020
There simply is not enough room to state all of the things that went right for the Tide in 2020. Highlights include winning the SEC West, the SEC, and the National Championship. DeVonta Smith won the program’s third Heisman Trophy while teammates Mac Jones and Najee Harris both finished in the top five in Heisman, the first time that has happened since the 1946 Army team. Only Florida came within two touchdowns of this team (a 52-46 SEC title game thriller), and Alabama became the first team in league history to win 11 conference games. Records fell left and right, Tide players needed wheel-barrows to cart home all of the season honors won, and routs over rivals Tennessee (48-17), LSU (55-17), and Auburn (42-13) helped Tide fans sleep well throughout the season. Throw in a comfortable semi-final victory over Notre Dame (31-14) and I’m not sure the season could have gone much better. I haven’t even mentioned the 52-24 win over a loaded Ohio State team in the national championship game...until now.
Quarterback Mac Jones threw for an astounding 41 touchdowns against only 4 interceptions, completing a nation-leading and SEC record 77% of his passes. Najee Harris scored 26 touchdowns, which gave him a school-record 46 career rushing touchdowns. DeVonta Smith could not be covered and finished his Tide career as the SEC leader in receiving yards (3,843) and receiving touchdowns (46). Behind the nation’s top line, the offense set an SEC record for points scored per game (48.5), and on and on...and on.
By the end of the 2020 season, there was no question it was Devonta Smith’s Heisman. (Photo: Kent Gidley, Heisman Trust)
Without question, all of the statistics and the results were stunning, yet the crowning achievement of the 2020 Alabama football team was the way they went about their business with heart, determination, and a whole lot of class. I have spent the last few weeks rewatching each Tide contest, and the way the team represented the rich tradition of Alabama football was remarkable. There were very few instances of the typical taunting and finger-wagging college football is becoming known for, and the lack of such self-serving activities should make everyone associated with the Crimson Tide incredibly proud. Perhaps, as Alabama fans, we can take their example and walk in humility after this amazing season. No need to go to the message boards and put down other programs...our boys spoke loudly through their play and actions, and my goodness did they represent the program well. Let’s not do anything to tarnish the image that was portrayed by the players and coaches throughout the season. Perhaps that is the best lesson Bama Nation can take from this team.
What went wrong in 2020
In all honesty, not much went wrong for the 2020 Tide. Defensively, the unit gave up a lot of points (19 points per game, which was still good to finish 13th nationally) in comparison to past Tide title teams, yet a lot of that had to do with this being a new era in offensive football where teams are simply scoring more points. Missed assignments, some sloppy tackling, and periodic failure to make plays on passes by the secondary hurt the team, and youth/inexperience played a role as well. The unit’s worst performance came in week three against Ole Miss, when the offense bailed out the defense and won in a shootout, 63-48.
On the offensive side of the football, a few things went wrong. The Tide went three and out on their first possession of the year against Missouri, DeVonta Smith dropped two passes against Missouri, the unit opened the game against Mississippi State with a field goal, and Mac Jones threw a bad pass against Auburn that went for an incompletion.
What the Tide need in 2021
It’s time for young guns on offense like QB Bryce Young to take the mantle and continue the tradition. (Photo: Alabama Athletics)
Coming off a dominating season, the Tide will need to find that legendary hunger that propelled the championship teams of 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2020. There are huge holes to fill, especially on offense and on the coaching staff as the Tide returns only 5 starters on offense and 5 out of 10 coaches from the 2020 version. The good news is that this is quite common for this program, and the “next man up” mentality is alive and well in Tuscaloosa, as numerous years of elite recruiting has produced tremendous depth at every position. The Tide was a veteran team in 2020 and will be quite young in 2021.
Gone are offensive impact players Mac Jones, Najee Harris, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Miller Forristall, Alex Leatherwood, Deonte Brown, and Landon Dickerson. Top talent is still in the ranks, and Tide nation looks forward to seeing how sophomore quarterback candidates Bryce Young and Paul Tyson battle it out for the starting job. The tailback position looks deep with the return of senior Bryan Robinson Jr. and sophomores Kellon Robinson, Jase McClennan, Roydell Williams, and Trey Sanders. Throw in the top tailback recruit in the nation in Camar Wheaton, and all should be well in the offensive backfield. The Tide return three starters on the line (Emil Ekiyor, Evan Neal, and Chris Owens), a tight end (Jahleel Billingsley), and two impact receivers (John Metchie and underrated Slade Bolden). Junior placekicker Will Reichard, who was a perfect 14 for 14 on field goals in 2020, returns as well. Taking Steve Sarkisian’s spot as offensive coordinator is former Houston Texans and Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien. Former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone takes over the offensive line.
Defensively, the Tide return 10 starters, including sophomore terror Will Anderson as well as experienced linebackers Christopher Allen, Christian Harris, and Shane Lee. The defensive line is in good shape as the unit returns impact players DJ Dale, Justin Eboigbe, Phidarian Mathis, and LaBryan Ray. In the secondary, a year's experience will do wonders for Josh Jobe, Daniel Wright, Brian Branch, Jordan Battle, Demarco Hellams, and Malachi Moore. Look for this unit to be the most improved position group in 2021.
LB Christian Harris leads a stellar returning unit for the Tide. (Photo: Joe Robbins, Getty Images)
Furthermore, Alabama faces a challenging schedule that includes an opener in Atlanta against a veteran Miami Hurricanes team on September 4th, and road contests against potential pre-season top ten SEC foes Florida (September 18th) and Texas A&M (October 9th). In addition, the Tide will travel to the Plains, where they have not won since 2015, to take on an Auburn team that could be dangerous on November 27th.
As always, expectations will be high and the Tide will most likely start the season ranked in the top three. With so much inexperience and with a retooled coaching staff, do not be surprised if Alabama takes a step back and does the unthinkable...lose a game or two. The SEC West will be filled with teams that are hungry and wanting to prove themselves, and a team like Texas A&M has the talent and motivation to conquer Mount Saban in 2021. The SEC East also has two teams that look on paper like they are ready to challenge the Tide for conference supremacy: Florida looks to be dangerous, and could this be the year Georgia and Kirby Smart get over the Alabama hump?
How they can earn some extra biscuits
Join the NFC East.