After Alabama lost the Iron Bowl to Auburn on Saturday, it seemed as if the entire world responded with four words: The dynasty is dead.
But in fact, it isn’t. I truly believe this could be a blessing in disguise for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama might’ve endured its first 2 loss regular season since 2010 (in 2010, Alabama loss three regular season games) but that doesn’t mean the dynasty is dead.
When the 2010 regular season was over, the Tide had lost 3 games, and people wondered how a team who won a National Title the year prior struggled the way they did. Even at THAT moment, now 9 years ago, people thought Alabama was irrelevant. But, it was just the beginning. Alabama would finish that season by facing, and beating, Michigan State in the Capitol One Bowl, 49-7. Mark Ingram, Eddie Lacy, Greg McElroy, and Julio Jones just to name a few, who all played the game, even knowing they would be drafted in the upcoming NFL Draft.
A year later in 2011, Alabama would go on to win back to back National Championships under AJ McCarron. After 2012, Alabama wouldn’t win another National Title until 2015, under one year quarterback, Jake Coker.
And here we are again, the second time in Saban’s career with Alabama going 2 years without winning a Championship, and people are calling for change.
Now, I’m not saying change doesn’t need to be made, because clearly, change does need to be made. This season was one of the worst, if not truly the worst defensive performance we’ve seen while Saban has been at Alabama. But, a lot of that could be simply because of the mass amount of injuries Alabama suffered on the defensive side of the ball. Coming into the season, Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding, had what looked like one of the best defenses in the country. Alabama had Dylan Moses, Raekwon Davis, Labryan Ray, Surtain, McKinney, Carter, Lewis, Jennings, Diggs, and Mayden just to name a few who were returning, and they also had 4 freshman joining that brought a lot of hope and excitement: Battle, Lee, Dale, and Alfano.
But, injuries.
Before the season even started, Joshua McMillon, and Dylan Moses went down for the season. And then later on, Eyabi Anoma and Antonio Alfano decided to transfer. During the season, Alabama would continue to suffer injuries. Labryan Ray, DJ Dale, and Raekwon Davis struggled with injuries, even throughout the season. Simply put, this defense was never anywhere near 100% healthy.
What this meant for the Tide was a lot of young talent would lead the defense. Shane Lee and Christian Harris were two freshman who became defensive leaders, even in their first season at Alabama. Jared Mayden, and Anfernee Jennings were the two dominant seniors who tried their best to use their experience and leadership to create a dominance on the defense, but the defense still struggled.
And get this, EVEN with losing their star QB, and majority of their experienced defenders to injuries, Alabama still played a hard fought game against LSU and Auburn, losing both less than less than a touchdown.
What does all of this mean for the Tide going forward?
This year was one of the youngest defensive units Saban has ever fielded. But with struggle, comes experience, and that’s what this team has. This was a young team, which all have the experience to return next year with knowledge and determination to prove the haters wrong, just like other Alabama teams have previously done.
This team will come back next year with a new top recruiting class, including 5 star QB Bryce Young, with the grit and determination to return to the CFB Playoff.
And as for Nick Saban, calm down people. He’s a genius. Sure, he has a quick coaching turnaround, but he knows what he is doing.
And in all honesty, his stats prove it all:
- 7 SEC West Titles
- 6 SEC Championships
- 5 National Titles
- 29 first round draft picks
- 35 All-Americans
- 2 Heisman Trophy Winners
Those are just a FEW of the amazing stats that Saban has had while at Alabama.
So, back to an earlier statement I made. I said this season could be a blessing in disguise for the Crimson Tide. How?
This team isn’t finished.
They’re humbled, yet hungry.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Saban while he’s been at Alabama, it’s this: You just have to trust the process.
Because just when you think you understand it, you realize you don’t. And just when you think maybe the “dynasty is dead,” you’re proven it’s not.
After all, that’s the Nick Saban way. It may not always make sense, but there’s a reason he’s one of the best coaches to ever coach the game. And he will continue to be.
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