Being ranked No. 1 in the polls and winning SEC and National Championships has become synonymous with Nick Saban during his tenure at Alabama.
2021 is no different. For the 14th time under his leadership the Crimson Tide is once again top dog.
The media and college football heads are still high on BAMA and five-star phenom quarterback Bryce Young, despite the Crimson Tide losing Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith, Doak Walker winner Najee Harris, the cerebral leadership of quarterback Mac Jones and a host of others to the NFL.
In 2018, DeVonta Smith caught the walk-off game-winner to win the National Championship in OT. Cold 🥶
📺 (1) Alabama vs. (3) Ohio State, Tonight 8 PM ET pic.twitter.com/m8KromiZ6M
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 11, 2021
The machine just reloads in Tuscaloosa and the ultimate goal remains to acquire rings and things. Just as they did in 2020, slaying the competition en roiute to an undefeated COVID National Championship.
And another one…
This has long been the trend at Alabama. After all, the football program’s motto is “Never A Rebuild Just A Reload.”
Without even taking the field in a game, the University of Alabama football program extended one of the most impressive streaks in collegiate sports history. The Tide has been ranked No.1 in one of the two major polls at least once each season since 2008.
The 14-year streak includes every season Nick Saban has been at Alabama except his inaugural campaign (2007). The Miami Hurricanes (1986-92) had seven seasons of such distinction.
Alabama has five ranked opponents on its 2021 regular season schedule beginning with the aforementioned No.16 Miami Canes on Sept. 4 in Atlanta.
Saban has coached 87 games with the nation’s top-ranked team, 66 more than any active coach in college football. Former Alabama player Dabo Swinney at Clemson is second at 21. Former Saban assistant Jimbo Fisher, now at Texas A&M, is third with 10, but all came during his tenure at Florida State (2013-14).
They also pay visits to No.6 Texas A&M, and No.11 Florida, while playing host to No. 13 LSU, and No.25 Ole Miss (led by former Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin).
The SEC had the most teams ranked in the poll with six, and both future conference members Texas and Oklahoma are ranked. The Big Ten was next with five ranked programs.
