Best ever
Where do we begin? Let’s start with this:
The 2020 Alabama team had the best offense in the history of college football. I know, we’re a just year removed from an LSU offense that had the No. 1 overall pick at QB, a first-rounder at RB and what will be two first-rounders playing WR.
But this bunch is better. Consider the numbers, and remember the Tide did it in 13 games – 11 against SEC foes before running roughshod over Notre Dame and THE Ohio State in playoff games. Here’s Paschall’s recap of the 52-24 bludgeoning.
Let’s explore the numbers, and the totals will be skewed toward LSU because of the two extra contests in 2019.:
LSU – 401.6 passing, 167.3 rushing and averaged 6.2 TDs per game;
Alabama – 349.3 passing, 185.8 rushing and 6.0 TDs per game.
Both teams averaged 7.9 yards per play.
The numbers are close – as are the skill position comps considering – but Alabama’s O-Line is better and the schedule was way more challenging. Plus, while we’re in the comparison phase of the show, would LSU have won it all if Justin Jefferson had broken his ankle in week 3 of 2019? Probably, the Tigers were that good, but they likely would not have been as historically impressive.
Alabama lost Jaylen Waddle and never missed a step or batted an eye. (Side question: What in the name of Blue Hades was Waddle doing in the game after that first catch and run when he had to limp back to the sideline? Gang, a sneaky underbelly of turning a blind eye has been forced upon our conscientiousness during these playoffs. Yes, we all heard the kids clamoring for a chance to play through the COVID – more on that in a moment – and we understand the stakes, the relationships, the connection with teammates and all of it that drive them to play through it all. But someone needs to look Waddle in the eye and say, “Sorry pal, this is not working.” And never mind the way THE Ohio State pretended everything was hunky-dory when Justin Fields took that brutal hit from the Clemson LB or THE OSU tight end was targeted last night by the Alabama safety.)
So Bama’s the best, crowned in a playoff of familiar helmets that may have been the most normal thing in the most surreal year ever.
Know this too: for all the chatter about the SEC being way down and/or the league being top heavy, that’s not an SEC problem. That’s a college football problem friends.
It’s Alabama and everyone else – not in the West, not in the league where it means more, but across the landscape of college football.
Ask yourself this: What two programs could combine their rosters and have more talent than Alabama? Clemson and Georgia, maybe, considering the former’s offense and the latter’s defense? And that’s not hyperbole or overstatement.
That’s the state of the game, and you have to believe that it’s not good for the appeal of the game.
This is not sour grapes from an Auburn grad; this is a musing from a long-time college football junkie.
Because, for as much as the COVID robbed the atmosphere and stole a large chunk of the joy of the best regular season in sports, the inevitability of the ultimate outcome ripped the drama from the script.
And yes, the retooling will be extensive for the offense, but the Alabama defense had three seniors on its three-deep. Yes, there will be several defections, but there will be a few surprise returns too. (Heck, DaVonta Smith and Najee Harris coming back this time last year was game-changing.)
Simply stated, Alabama’s dominance is historical – six titles since 2009 – and it’s downright dangerous for the popularity of the sport. Truly. And in no way am I asking for rule changes or restrictions or plans for parity. The rest of college football needs to get closer to Alabama, not bringing the Tide down to the pack.
It’s undeniably amazing.
The reason
Alabama has great everything when it comes to football – tradition, facilities, support, passion, you name it, it’s all there.
But make no mistake the Tide’s all-time excellence of this moment starts with the man at the top.
Because if you want to discuss if LSU was as good or better than Alabama offensive, fine. There are numbers to spin. There is no spin, there are no numbers and there certainly no debating this:
Nick Saban is the best college coach ever. Don’t bring up the UNC soccer coach’s insane numbers Intern Scott. Don’t point to UConn and mention Geno. Don’t ask about Pat or Wooden or Rupp or Bear or fill-in-the-blank with a one-name all-timer.