NATIONAL CHAMPS TOP LIST OF SABAN’S ALABAMA TEAMS
The USA TODAY Sports offseason countdown of the top 25 teams in college football just hit on No. 2 Alabama. The preview praised the Crimson Tide for their depth and potential on offense and the likelihood of having another standout defensive unit while raising slight concerns about the team’s unproven kicking game and the loss of production at wide receiver.
This year marks Nick Saban’s 11th season with the program, a period of dominance that places this era of Alabama football among the great dynasties in the history of the sport.
This week’s top 10 list takes a trip back through Saban’s tenure to ask the question: From best to worst, how would you rank each of his teams with the Crimson Tide? As expected, the list begins with his four title-winning teams.
1. 2011 (12-1)
Yes, this team lost a game and didn’t win the Southeastern Conference, let alone its own division. And there was controversy about Alabama’s inclusion in the title game, a rematch against LSU. But this team had the best defense of the new century.
2. 2009 (14-0)
The only undefeated team of the Saban era — and therefore deserving of a spot ahead of the two remaining title-winning teams. The 2009 group had its close calls, notably against Tennessee and Auburn, but survived the regular season unscathed, knocked off Florida to win the SEC and owned the second half against Texas to claim Saban’s first championship with the Tide.
3. 2015 (14-1)
A five-turnover game against Mississippi in September was the lone blemish. Other than that, only one game during the regular season was decided by fewer than 13 points. And then came the first of two unforgettable College Football Playoff title games against Clemson; the Tide took this one 45-40.
4. 2012 (13-1)
The 2012 group’s lone loss came against Texas A&M, a 29-24 affair made memorable by Johnny Manziel’s heroics. Alabama re- bounded from there, narrowly escaping Georgia in the SEC championship game and smashing Notre Dame a month later to win its second title in a row and third in four years.
5. 2016 (14-1)
The best non-title-winning team of Saban’s tenure came one defensive stand away from becoming the first 15-0 team in Football Bowl Subdivision history. In the end, last year’s team would collect wins against Washington, Florida, Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Southern California.
6. 2013 (11-2)
The Tide went nearly the duration of the regular season ranked No. 1, only to fall to rival Auburn in the infamous — depending on your allegiance — Kick Six game. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Alabama came out flat in the Sugar Bowl and was humbled by Oklahoma.
7. 2014 (12-2)
The offense was fairly inconsistent, particularly against the SEC West, and the defense had its moments of ineptitude against uptempo attacks — see the win against Auburn and the loss to Ohio State in a national semifinal. This feels like nitpicking. But look at the options!
8. 2008 (12-2)
This team kicked off the dynasty after Saban’s average debut in 2007. It wasn’t the prettiest run: Alabama won four games during the regular season by 11 points or fewer — these pass for close calls for Alabama — and didn’t have enough in the tank to defeat Florida in the SEC title game. You could tell that something was brewing, however.
9. 2010 (10-3)
The record alone forces the 2010 team into the ninth spot. But this team was pretty nasty, right? The Tide lost by 14 points to South Carolina on Oct. 9 and by a combined four points to LSU and Auburn in November but rebounded to embarrass Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. A break here and there, and this team plays for the national title — and probably wins.
10. 2007 (7-6)
Saban’s first team was his worst, as you might expect. The Tide went 7-6 overall — with five wins later vacated by NCAA sanctions — and 4-4 in SEC play, with losses to Georgia, , LSU Mississippi State and Auburn. Oh, and a loss to Louisiana-Monroe. Remember?