There are some Alabama fans, and even more critics, who are questioning whether Alabama’s dynasty is over, and whether or not Saban has lost his touch. To that, I say this: The Dynasty isn’t dead, just trust the process.
For the first time since the CFB Playoff began, Alabama is not competing for a National Title. In fact, Alabama is playing against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. While some fans are upset about a two loss season, and are disappointed in their team is not competing for a national title, I think this is still a statement bowl game to tell the committee that it’s ridiculous Alabama is ranked 13th, after losing two games by less than a touchdown. I think a big Citrus Bowl win over Michigan will remind the world that the dynasty is alive and well, and this team will be back next year more humble and hungry than ever.
But, I think this is also the perfect time to remind everyone that the TRUE Bama fans survived the Shula Era from 2003-2006 where Alabama had 26 wins and 23 losses. 23 losses in 4 seasons. Alabama fans today can literally not even imagine that. But, it’s how it was.
In Shula’s 4 year career at Alabama, the Crimson Tide only made two bowl game appearances. In 2004, Alabama lost to Minnesota in the Music City Bowl 20-16. The following year in 2005, Alabama made it to the Cotton Bowl and barely beat Texas Tech 13-10. But less than a year later in 2006, Alabama went 6-6 on the season before Mal Moore fired Shula. Joe Kines led Alabama to the Independence bowl that year where Alabama lost to Oklahoma State, 34-31.
The point of this article is simply this: If you can survive the Shula Era: you can certainly support the Crimson Tide in the Citrus Bowl.
13 years ago, Alabama would’ve been ecstatic to make it to a bowl game such as the Citrus Bowl. But, now that Saban has created a dynasty and won 5 National Championships since his arrival, excellence is expected.
But, this is still a big game for the Crimson Tide to make a statement that they’re not finished yet.
And if you’re an Alabama fan, I encourage you to make the trek down to Orlando if you can, and support your team. Remind these young men that you’ll love and support them, no matter the record. This is a team who endured so many injuries before and during the season, and still went 10-2. A team who is nowhere near finished. And a team who will bounce back next year and make their way back to the CFB Playoffs.
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