The death of Alabama’s inevitability during the Nick Saban era

Alabama coach Nick Saban, right, and his players run onto the field before facing Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Monday. The Crimson Tide lost in overtime, extending the program’s national championship drought. (Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)

Yes, make no mistake, it did happen. I saw it with my own eyes. Just when things looked dour late, Nick Saban had no choice. The sun had already set behind the San Gabriel Mountains. Damn, Saban. Don’t do it, not like this. Not in front of the Rose queen, the royal court and all of the maize and blue Teslas in Arroyo Seco. Not in front of Audra McDonald, for God’s sake. But in the late moments of the Rose Bowl, Saban had to have cracked open his sacred talisman and offered another wish to the genie he’s imprisoned in his golf khakis since Obama was still in office.

January in the playoff meant there had to be a certain crimson magic brewing under the leaves in Pasadena. Do you think all of these Bammers flew ’cross the nation, in L.A.N.K. paraphernalia to watch the Tide roll over? The entire pathos of Alabama football in the last two decades was predicated on Letting Any Naysayer Know. In fact, Bama fans told me at halftime they were confident they’d win the ballgame even if their team started slow, wasn’t leading in yardage and forgot how to convert on third down. What else did Bama do besides win during the winter’s coldest moments despite the collective groans coming from everywhere except the Southeast.

Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart (5) reacts after stopping a run by Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) to defeat the Crimson Tide in overtime of the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Rose Bowl Monday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

In a battle for entitlement between Michigan and Alabama, the press was painting Michigan the mighty underdog…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tynes-death-alabamas-inevitability-during-232331708.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-01-02 23:23:31

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.