Historical Significance of Alabama's 2011 - 2012 College Football National Championship

by Mo Johnson
(VA )

Wow, what a huge win that was for Alabama.

Imagine, had they lost, LSU would have had a legit. claim as one of, if not the, best team in the history of college football. After all, the Tigers would have beat Alabama twice in the same year (ranked #2 both times) and also beat Oregon when it was #3 and Arkansas when the Razorbacks were ranked number 3.

So, that would have tied LSU with Notre Dame's 1943 team as the only teams in college football history that beat four teams ranked in the top 3 in the same year.

And, Alabama would have lost to LSU three straight times (not to mention also losing to Auburn in 2010) and essentially would have had to admit that LSU "owned" them.

Instead, with the win, now Alabama has its 9th National Championship (AP or Coaches' Poll) -- which vaults the Tide over Notre Dame into first place in that category.

Also, Nick Saban, is now the tenth coach in the modern poll era (since 1936) with 3 national titles. Of course Saban is also the only coach to win national titles with more than one school. So, not only will Coach Saban surely be inducted into the college football hall of fame, but now, he arguably could be considered one of, if not the, best coach ever in college football.

So, again, what a huge win. But, don't worry LSU fans -- your Tigers return so much talent, they have to be the odds on favorite to win the SEC football championship next year and therefore, naturally, also the 2013 BCS Championship.

It'll be the 7th straight for the Southeastern Conference.

Here's a summary of the Alabama vs LSU NC Game as well as the rest of our 2011 - 2012 SEC Bowl Game Reviews.