Is it 13 or 8? Is Saban Ever Happy? Will ‘Bama repeat?

Roll Tide, this one was a long time coming. I remember the ’92 championship. I watched ‘Bama roll up on the U in my in-laws house in Plano, Texas. But that’s not important right now. What is important is answering these ever important questions…

Is it 13 National Championships or 8?
Alabama claims these years as national championships – 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992, and of course 2009. Interesting controversy given that if we had a playoff, we wouldn’t be even talking like this. Alas, we don’t so college presidents can take some of the blame for creating a culture where this kind of debate can take place.

For a LONG explanation – read here. It fleshes it all out in glorious detail.

Here’s the short version: The Official NCAA record book recognizes Alabama with seven “consensus” national championships — the six by Bryant (1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, and 1979) and Gene Stalling’s in 1992. Plus last nights, that gets you to 8. (That was for all my Auburn audience out there that has a hard time adding.) The official count of National Championships for the NCAA starts with the year 1950.

In the same record book, the NCAA looks back and lists how past football seasons would have played out using the current/past bowl system. For the 1925 and 1926 seasons, they list Alabama as the national champions. “Not official” but listed in the same book…just like college football. Take something simple, make it ridiculously complicated, don’t talk plainly about it, make money off of it, and call it wonderful.

Another independent source – the College Football Data Warehouse – adds the ’30 and ’34 season to the Alabama stash of championships.

So what about the 1941 championship? Hardest one to defend really. Alabama went 8-2, losing to eventual SEC champion Mississippi State and finished #20 in the AP poll. I have no idea how that year is a national championship. Nothing I can find really explains it. Just like I have no idea how Alabama DID NOT get the National Championship in 1966 after going undefeated for the 3rd year in a row and the pox of creation Notre Dame won it. Or the ’77 season as well. But I’m not bitter.

Good thing we have the BCS now to eliminate all future confusion and potential of that happening again, right Boise State?

Is Saban Ever Happy?
If I were the two students who donked the Gatorade bucket on Saban last night, I wouldn’t expect a lot of playing time next year. Even after the game, Saban looked like the losing coach. In the press conference, he laughed a bit when asked about the Gatorade but just a bit…and those players are still running the stairs at the Rose Bowl.

I’m guessing he is happy but more relieved. But who would know. Maybe Saban is like the Grumpy dwarf. Maybe he’s so protective of himself in the media, we’re never going to know. After the beating he took in the media after the Dolphin/Bama dance, who could blame him for basically giving the media nothing. Mack Brown on the other hand – can see why he is such a huge hit on the recruiting trail.

Will ‘Bama repeat?
Jeez, can we just enjoy this one for a bit? Sure we can. Roll Tide. Hey Texas, Hey Texas…Rammer Jammer…

But let’s just get this straight right now – McElroy did not WIN that game last night. The Alabama defense and two monster, not of this planet running backs won that game last night. The Gilbert kid from Texas played better than McElroy.

Ok, that’s not entirely true. The turnovers were bad but they weren’t all his fault. If Texas had another WR other than Jordan Shipley that could catch…be a completely different game. Well, not completely different. Bama D did what it did all year long – keep game close, punish opposing teams when they make a mistake, then ask the offense to not screw the thing up.

They can repeat if QB play improves. If it doesn’t…not sure. Arkansas – if Ryan Mallett returns – will be stacked. LSU & Auburn will be greatly improved as well as Tennessee if Kiffin can keep his players out of jail. I’d like to think yes…but that’s why they play the games.

In the meantime — Roll Tide and another dominant showing by the SEC in the BCS Championship game.