In a year filled with confusion, adjustments and uncertainty, we are at home celebrating Christmas with those who mean the most to us.
It has taught us to re-evaluate perspectives and take nothing for granted, but the Coronavirus pandemic has also brought us closer together in showing the fight of the American spirit.
For those who enjoy college football, the early fear of not having a season turned into athletic directors, coaches, players and others doing everything possible to make sure a sense of normalcy was restored.
We were able to navigate through uncharted waters and despite some bumps, the sport we cherish so much pushed us throughout the year.
Whether it has been spectacular catches, thrilling wins, heartbreaking defeats or feel good stories, so many things have made this season one to remember. When it comes to the University of Alabama, the eyes of fans opened to remarkable gifts from Greg Byrne, Nick Saban and the football program.
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Listed below are the five things Crimson Tide fans are most grateful for this Christmas.
1. Having a football season
Football means everything in the south, especially in the state of Alabama.
In a college town such as Tuscaloosa, Crimson Tide football is a year-round discussion. After the COVID-19 pandemic canceled all spring football activities, there was real concern on whether a season would happen. Coach Saban and his staff advocated for public health and safety, and Saban did a public service announcement (PSA) video on social distancing during the pandemic.
Greg Sankey, the Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, deserves the most credit.
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While the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences quickly canceled their seasons, Sankey trusted the information of the SEC’s medical advisory group and pushed the season back to Sept. 26.
His foresight and leadership allowed for the conference to see how others would handle things, prior to making its move. Sankey’s judgment guided the SEC into having the most success in maneuvering through an unprecedented time.
For the Tide, Saban constantly preached the importance of monitoring one’s personal bubble, and the aggressive testing/contact tracing for players and coaches kept the team healthy (for the most part) to have a season. Even with having conference-only schedules, it was better than no football at all. Stadiums were significantly reduced, but fans still their teams.
People that wanted to be at Bryant-Denny Stadium showed up and provided energy.
2. Winning an SEC Championship
This was arguably the most satisfying season for Coach Saban and Alabama fans.
For the Crimson Tide’s head football coach, he dealt with players missing games (COVID), assistant coaches missing games and missing a game himself (Auburn). Although the virus kept Saban from coaching the Iron Bowl, Steve Sarkisian stepped up and the team did not miss a beat. Alabama was the lone program in the SEC to earn perfection with a schedule of conference games.
Under Sarkisian’s leadership, its offense was mesmerizing.
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The Tide totaled at least 40 points in 10 of 11 games, including a pair of 60-point contests. Alabama lead the SEC for scoring offense (49.7 ppg) and was one of the top scoring offenses in the nation. Sarkisian also produced a pair of Heisman Trophy finalists — Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith — and had three players finish in the top-five of this year’s Heisman race.
It allowed 19.5 points per game, but the Tide’s defense did enough to keep the team undefeated.
Alabama picked up three wins over Top-25 schools (Texas A&M, Georgia and Florida) and avenged its losses to LSU and Auburn from the 2019 campaign. During the SEC Championship Game, the trio of Jones, Smith and Najee Harris put on a show for Tide fans versus the Gators at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Jones totaled 418 passing yards with five touchdowns, Smith recorded 184 yards receiving with two scores, and Harris collected 245 total yards (178 rushing, 67 receiving) with five touchdowns in a 52-46 victory over Florida. It was the second matchup, joining Ole Miss, where Alabama had to dig deep and find a way to win.
3. The 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes
National championships start in recruiting.
Alabama’s 2020 signing class will go down in history as the one with the quickest learning ability.
Due to COVID-19, none of the student-athletes could enroll early. Not having spring football put the freshmen behind the 8-ball; however, it did not shake the confidence of Malachi Moore, William Anderson, Brian Branch, Tim Smith, Jamil Burroughs, Jase McClellan or Roydell Williams. All of these players impacted games in a major way. Moore led the team in interceptions (three) and Branch recorded two picks himself.
Anderson totaled an SEC-high seven sacks, including two apiece versus LSU, Arkansas and Florida. Smith and Burroughs forced fumbles on the defensive line, and the duo of McClellan and Williams posted scores at running back.
Bryce Young tossed his first career touchdown versus Kentucky, Javon Baker got on the field at receiver, and even Drew Sanders made plays on special teams. This year’s freshmen class rolled up its sleeves and worked, and it paid off.
Since the 2020 class had success, it only means the future is bright.
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During the early period of National Signing Day, the Crimson Tide got 24 nationally signed letters of intent for 2021 — including two student-athletes that flipped from LSU. A new name has been added as Camar Wheaton of Garland, Texas, has signed as a five-star running back.
Alabama has seven five-stars in the class and two (JC Latham, Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry) have a diamond grade of one, which means they will be “immediate contributors and game changers.”
This class has the top offensive linemen, a dual threat quarterback, four talented receivers, a game-changing running back and difference makers on defense.
Saban and Alabama football are not slowing down
4. Two Heisman finalists
After being snubbed for award opportunities last year, players and coaches at Alabama are finalists for numerous honors.
On Thursday, ESPN announced Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith as two of the four finalists for the Heisman Trophy.
Both players have been sensational, especially in the big games. Jones, a redshirt junior, has gone from being doubted in the preseason to leading the Tide to an SEC Championship. He is the fifth 3,000-yard passer (3,739) of the Saban era and has 32 touchdowns to four interceptions.
The 6-foot-3, 214-pounder ranks in the top-five nationally in all categories at quarterback.
Smith, a senior, has gone from being overlooked to the best receiver in school history.
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He leads Alabama for career receiving yards (3,620) and touchdowns (40). The Louisiana native leads the SEC for career scores and is second for yards. He chimes in with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons (1,511) and has 17 touchdown catches on 98 receptions.
Smith has 19 total scores (one rushing, one punt return) and is averaging 137.4 yards per catch.
The Tide has two Heisman winners in its tenure, and No. 3 looks like its on the way.
5. Returning to College Football Playoff
It missed the big dance in 2019.
Alabama wanted to make sure it returned to the College Football Playoff and after beating Florida, Saban and company punched its ticket as the No. 1 seed. Notre Dame will be its first opponent on New Year’s Day at the Rose Bowl inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Should it handle the Fighting Irish, the Crimson Tide will battle the winner of Clemson/Ohio State for a chance to win its 18th national championship in school history. Seeing Alabama back in the CFP means things are well in college football.
Honorable Mention: New strength staff
Some members of national media felt Alabama would take a hit in parting ways from Scott Cochran.
He left the Tide for the Georgia Bulldogs after 13 years, and Saban did not miss a step. The hires of David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea were exactly what the team needed. With a scientific approach, Alabama has been stronger, faster and less injury prone this season. Ballou and Rhea have decreased the number of soft tissues injuries, which has allowed the Tide more production.
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Also, the job of both coaches played a role in the 2021 recruiting cycle.
Many athletes have cited Ballou and Rhea as the reason why they signed with Alabama
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
