Over the past 25 college football seasons, the Alabama Crimson Tide have had no shortage of big moments on the national stage.
That’s what happens when you win six national championships in a span of 12 seasons, as Alabama did under coach Nick Saban from 2009-2020. The second closest to the Crimson Tide in hardware since the dawn of the 21st century: the LSU Tigers — a program Saban helped build from a perennial underachiever — and the Ohio State Buckeyes with three apiece.
It’s no surprise then that some of the biggest moments involving Alabama teams from Saban’s 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa made their way onto ESPN’s ranking of the top 25 college football plays since 2000. That includes both the joys from Alabama’s victories as well as the anguish in their defeats.
A total of five plays featuring Alabama football made ESPN’s list. Here’s a breakdown of Alabama’s appearances in ESPN’s top 25 college football plays from the first quarter of the 21st century.
‘2nd and 26’: Tua Tagovailoa to DeVonta Smith touchdown ranked Alabama’s best play
Alabama has no shortage of thrilling moments that fans can describe in graphic detail from the snap of the ball until the final whistle, but ESPN ranked ‘2nd and 26’ against Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 8, 2018 at No. 4 overall on its list. Tua Tagovailoa’s dagger to DeVonta Smith in overtime gave Alabama a 26-23 win and its fifth championship in eight years.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly said of the play:
“The national title game at the end of the 2017 season came at you in waves. Georgia dominated and led 13-0 at halftime. Alabama subbed in freshman Tua Tagovailoa and charged back to tie the score, but the Tide missed an easy field goal attempt at the buzzer. Georgia moved backward in OT but nailed a 51-yard field goal. Tagovailoa took an atrocious sack…
Source link : https://rolltidewire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/crimson-tide/football/2025/06/10/alabama-football-highlights-espn-top-25-plays-list/84133524007/
Author :
Publish date : 2025-06-10 23:02:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
