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GAMEDAY: Alabama's 25 SEC championships
Ben Jones and Tommy Deas | TideSports.com staff
Alabama's 2012 SEC championship team
Courtesy University of Alabama
The University of Alabama will play for its 26th Southeastern Conference championship on Saturday when it faces the Florida Gators in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. Here is a look at the Crimson Tide’s previous conference championship teams:
2015
Overall record: 14-1
Conference record: 7-1
Head coach: Nick Saban
Captains: Jake Coker, Derrick Henry, Ryan Kelly, Reggie Ragland
Results:
Wisconsin*; W 35-7
Middle Tennessee; W 37-10
Ole Miss; L 43-37
Louisiana-Monroe; W 34-0
at Georgia; W 38-10
Arkansas; W 27-14
at Texas A&M; W 41-23
Tennessee; W 19-14
LSU; W 30-16
at Mississippi State; W 31-6
Charleston Southern; W 56-6
at Auburn; W 29-13
Florida+; W 29-15
Michigan State#; W 38-0
Clemson^; W 45-40
*Arlington, Texas
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#College Football Playoff semifinal, Arlington, Texas
^CFP National Championship Game, Glendale, Ariz.
Leading rusher: Derrick Henry, 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns on 395 carries
Leading passer: Jake Coker, 263 of 393 for 3,110 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions
Leading receiver: Calvin Ridley, 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns on 89 receptions
Leading tackler: Reggie Ragland, 102
Biggest conference win: Alabama overwhelmed a highly-ranked Georgia team on the road in a downpour to reestablish itself as a contender, intercepting three passes along the way.
National finish: No. 1
SEC Championship Game memory: “The biggest thing, we had a good plan on defense. We knew what what they were going to do. Our team does a good job of tracking what the other team is doing and what we need to do. … They did a nice job of executing, did a good job up front stopping the run. They were behind the sticks a lot, and we did a good job on third down.”
– Alabama head coach Nick Saban
2014
Overall record: 12-2
Conference record: 7-1
Head coach: Nick Saban
Captains: Landon Collins, Amari Cooper, Jalston Fowler, Blake Sims
Results:
West Virginia*; W 33-23
Florida Atlantic; W 41-0
Southern Miss; W 52-12
Florida; W 42-21
at Ole Miss; L 23-17
at Arkansas; W 14-13
Texas A&M; W 59-0
at Tennessee; W 34-20
at LSU; W 20-13 OT
Mississippi State; W 25-20
Western Carolina; W 48-14
Auburn; W 55-44
Missouri; W 42-13*
Ohio State; L 42-35#
*Atlanta
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#College Football Playoff semifinal, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Derrick Henry, 990 yards and 11 touchdowns on 172 carries
Leading passer: Blake Sims, 252 of 391 for 3,4887 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions
Leading receiver: Amari Cooper, 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns on 124 receptions
Leading tackler: Landon Collins, 103
Biggest conference win: The Crimson Tide won an Iron Bowl shootout with rival Auburn, rolling up more than 500 yards in total offense with four rushing touchdowns and four passing scores.
National finish: No. 4
SEC Championship Game memory: “We had cut it to one score, and then they take it, go 65 yards and answer. Then they hold us, we punt them down to the 10-yard line and they go 90 yards and score. Those were two statement drives by them. That’s what great teams do.”
– Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel
2012
Overall record: 13-1
Conference record: 7-1
Head coach: Nick Saban
Captains: Barrett Jones, Damion Square, Chance Warmack
Results:
Michigan*; W 41-14
Western Kentucky; W 35-0
at Arkansas; W 52-0
Florida Atlantic, W 40-7
Ole Miss; W 33-14
at Missouri, W 42-10
at Tennessee; W 44-13
Mississippi State; W 38-7
at LSU; W 21-17
Texas A&M; L 29-24
Western Carolina; W 49-0
Auburn; W 49-0
Georgia*; W 32-28
Notre Dame#; W 42-14
*Arlington, Texas
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#BCS National Championship Game, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Leading rusher: Eddie Lacy, 1.322 yards and 17 touchdowns on 204 carries
Leading passer: AJ McCarron, 211 of 314 for 2,933 yards with 30 touchdowns and three interceptions
Leading receiver: Amari Cooper, 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns on 59 receptions
Leading tackler: C.J. Mosley, 107
Biggest conference win: Alabama rallied to beat LSU in Baton Rouge, La., with T.J. Yeldon scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 28-yard screen pass with 51 seconds to go.
National finish: No. 1
SEC Championship Game memory: "I couldn't be prouder, not only for the way they competed in this game but for the way they have come back all year. This conference will test your mettle. We beat a really good team out there today. We really couldn't handle their pass rush and it was difficult for us to throw the ball, but you have to give our offensive line a lot of credit for getting a hat on a hat."
– Alabama head coach Nick Saban
2009
Overall record: 14-0
Conference record: 8-0
Head coach: Nick Saban
Captains: Javier Arenas, Mike Johnson, Rolando McClain
Results:
Virginia Tech*; W 34-24
Florida International; W 40-14
North Texas; W 53-7
Arkansas; W 35-7
at Kentucky; W 38-20
at Ole Miss; W 22-3
South Carolina; W 20-6
Tennessee; W 12-10
LSU; W 24-15
at Mississippi State; W 31-3
Chattanooga; W 45-0
at Auburn; W 26-21
Florida+; W 32-13
Texas#; W 37-21
*Atlanta
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#BCS National Championship Game, Pasadena, Calif.
Leading rusher: Mark Ingram, 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns on 271 carries
Leading passer: Greg McElroy, 198 of 325 for 2,508 yards with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions
Leading receiver: Julio Jones, 596 yards and four touchdowns on 43 receptions
Leading tackler: Rolando McClain, 105
Biggest conference win: Alabama survived Tennessee as Terrence Cody blocked a field goal attempt as time expired, UA's second blocked field goal of the game, to preserve a two-point victory.
National finish: No. 1
SEC Championship Game memory: "It's been such an incredible season. We started the season here (in the Georgia Dome) with a win and were able to win a championship today. I can't say enough about my offensive line, (and) we have the greatest coaching staff in the country. "
– Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy
1999
Overall record: 10-3
Conference record: 7-1
Head coach: Mike DuBose
Captains: Shaun Alexander, Cornelius Griffin, Miguel Merritt, Ryan Pflugner, Chris Samuels
Results:
at Vanderbilt; W 28-17
Houston*; W 37-10
Louisiana Tech*; L 29-28
Arkansas; W 35-28
at Florida; W 40-39 OT
at Ole Miss; W 30-24
Tennessee; L 21-7
Southern Miss; W 35-14
LSU; W 23-17
Mississippi State; W 19-7
at Auburn; W 28-17
Florida+; W 34-7
Michigan#; L 35-34 OT
*Birmingham
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#Orange Bowl, Miami
Leading rusher: Shaun Alexander, 1,383 yards and 10 touchdowns on 302 carries
Leading passer: Andrew Zow, 148 of 264 for 1,799 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions
Leading receiver: Freddie Milons, 733 yards and two touchdowns on 65 receptions
Leading tackler: Saleem Rasheed, 84
Biggest conference win: Alabama snapped Florida's 30-game home winning streak in overtime as Shaun Alexander scored four touchdowns. Chris Kemp made a second-chance extra point for the game-winner after UF was offside on the first attempt.
National finish: No. 8
SEC championship season memory: “I can’t say enough about Shaun. Early in the game, he was hit pretty hard and was bleeding from his lip. I was kind of concerned about him. I didn’t want him to keep swallowing any blood. I thought he looked a little sluggish. But he’s the type of player you can’t just look over. He has a lot of heart.”
– Quarterback Andrew Zow, on Shaun Alexander’s performance in the overtime win at Florida.
1992
Overall record: 13-0
Conference record: 8-0
Head coach: Gene Stallings
Captains: Derrick Oden, George Teague, George Wilson, Prince Wimbley
Results:
Vanderbilt; W 25-8
Southern Miss*; W 17-10
at Arkansas^; W 38-11
Louisiana Tech*; W 13-0
South Carolina; W 48-7
at Tulane; W 37-0
at Tennessee; W 17-10
Ole Miss; W 31-10
at LSU; W 31-11
at Mississippi State; W 30-21
Auburn*; W 17-0
Florida+; W 28-21
Miami#; W 33-13
*Birmingham
^Little Rock, Ark.
+SEC Championship Game, Birmingham
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Derrick Lassic, 905 yards and 10 touchdowns on 108 carries
Leading passer: Jay Barker, 132 of 243 for 1,614 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions
Leading receiver: David Palmer, 297 yards and one touchdown on 24 receptions
Leading tackler: Lemanski Hall, 70
Biggest conference win: Alabama trailed in the fourth quarter for the first time all season at Mississippi State, but closed strong. Antonio Langham blocked a punt and UA recovered a fumbled punt in an impressive special teams showing.
National finish: No. 1
SEC Championship Game memory: “Last year they beat us kind of bad. We went out with revenge on our minds and did it. Florida did a lot of blitzing, so we knew we would have a lot of man-to-man coverage. We knew they couldn’t cover us man-to-man, so Jay was real effective.”
– Wide receiver David Palmer
1989
Overall record: 10-2
Conference record: 6-1
Head coach: Bill Curry
Captains: Marco Battle, Willie Wyatt
Results:
Memphis State*; W 35-7
Kentucky; W 15-3
at Vanderbilt; W 20-14
at Ole Miss^; W 62-27
Southwestern Louisiana; W 24-17
Tennessee*; W 47-30
at Penn State; W 17-16
Mississippi State*; W 23-10
at LSU; W 32-16
Southern Miss; W 37-14
at Auburn; L 30-20
Miami#; L 33-25
*Birmingham
^Jackson, Miss.
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Siran Stacy, 1,079 yards and 17 touchdowns on 216 carries
Leading passer: Gary Hollingsworth, 205 of 339 for 2,379 yards with 14 touchdowns and 16 interceptions
Leading receiver: Lamonde Russell, 662 yards and five touchdowns on 61 receptions
Leading tackler: Keith McCants, 119
Biggest conference win: Alabama trailed Ole Miss 21-0 early on but scored 62 unanswered points, with Gary Hollingsworth throwing five touchdown passes.
National finish: No. 9
SEC championship season memory: “We knew we couldn’t fall apart. We still had 3½ quarters left to play. We felt that was plenty of time. The way Ole Miss scored early, I was thinking they wouldn’t score that much on our defense. The pressure was definitely placed on us. But we were able to hold together as a team.”
– Quarterback Gary Hollingsworth after the comeback at Ole Miss, in the Oct. 8 Tuscaloosa News
1981
Overall record: 9-2-1
Conference record: 7-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Warren Lyles, Alan Gray
Results:
at LSU; W 24-7
Georgia Tech*; L 24-21
at Kentucky; W 19-10
at Vanderbilt; W 28-7
Ole Miss*; W 38-7
Southern Miss*; T 13-13
Tennessee*; W 38-19
Rutgers; W 31-7
Mississippi State*; W 13-10
at Penn State; W 31-16
Auburn*; W 28-17
Texas#; L 14-12
*Birmingham
#Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Leading rusher: Ricky Moore, 347 yards and no touchdowns on 79 carries
Leading passer: Walter Lewis, 30 of 66 for 633 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions
Leading receiver: Jesse Bendross, 256 yards and five touchdowns on 13 receptions
Leading tackler: Robbie Jones, 107
Biggest conference win: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant's record-setting 315th career victory, coming against Auburn, was more historic, but UA had lost to Mississippi State the year before and the Bulldogs came to Tuscaloosa ranked one spot higher than Alabama at No. 7. Terry Sanders kicked a 28-yard field goal in the fourth quarter and Tommy Wilcox intercepted a pass near the goal line to preserve the victory.
National finish: No. 7
SEC championship season memory: “I knew we had a young team at the start of practice in August and said so. I said then that our youth would have to mature, but that I thought we could. Well, this team has not peaked yet. I thought we would become a great team. We started to come forward in our game with Mississippi State, but we never reached our peak.”
– Coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in The Tuscaloosa News on Dec. 28, 1981, before the Cotton Bowl
1979
Overall record: 12-0
Conference record: 6-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Don McNeal, Steve Whitman
Results:
at Georgia Tech; W 30-6
Baylor*; W 45-0
at Vanderbilt; W 66-3
Wichita State; W 38-0
at Florida; W 40-0
Tennessee*; W 27-17
Virginia Tech; W 31-7
Mississippi State*; W 24-7
at LSU; W 3-0
Miami; W 30-0
Auburn*; W 25-18
Arkansas#; W 24-9
*Birmingham
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Steadman Shealy, 791 yards and 11 touchdowns on 111 carries
Leading passer: Steadman Shealy, 45 of 81 for 717 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions
Leading receiver: Keith Pugh, 433 yards and two touchdowns on 25 receptions
Leading tackler: Thomas Boyd, 92
Biggest conference win: In a windy downpour in Baton Rouge, La., Alan McElroy booted a 27-yard field goal midway through the third quarter and Alabama's defense did the rest in a game that saw the teams combine for 15 punts.
National finish: No. 1
SEC championship season memory: “I punched the first (field goal attempt), and I think the wind pushed away the second one. When I lined up for the third one, I just tried to kick it like I have all the others in my career. I was thankful for the chance. I stood on the sideline after halftime wondering if it would come.”
– Kicker Alan McElroy on his game-winning field goal against LSU in the Nov. 11 Tuscaloosa News
1978
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 6-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Marty Lyons, Tony Nathan, Jeff Rutledge
Results:
Nebraska*; W 20-3
at Missouri; W 38-20
Southern Cal*; L 24-14
Vanderbilt; W 51-28
at Washington; W 20-17
at Florida; W 23-12
at Tennessee; W 30-17
Virginia Tech; W 35-0
Mississippi State*; W 35-14
LSU*; W 31-10
Auburn*; W 34-16
Penn State#; W 14-7
*Birmingham
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Tony Nathan, 770 yards and six touchdowns on 111 carries
Leading passer: Jeff Rutledge, 73 of 140 for 1,070 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions
Leading receiver: Keith Pugh, 446 yards and two touchdowns on 20 receptions
Leading tackler: Marty Lyons, 119
Biggest conference win: In its only SEC game against a ranked opponent, Alabama manhandled No. 10 LSU, rolling up 427 yards in total offense for a three-touchdown margin of victory.
National finish: No. 1
SEC championship season memory: “LSU was well-prepared for us, but I thought we had the better team. But we’re not where we want to be. However, we have three weeks to get better.”
– Coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in the Nov. 12 Tuscaloosa News after the victory over LSU to clinch the conference
1977
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 7-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Ozzie Newsome, Mike Tucker
Results:
Ole Miss*; W 34-13
at Nebraska; L 31-24
at Vanderbilt; W 24-12
Georgia*; W 18-10
at Southern Cal; W 21-20
Tennessee*; W 24-10
Louisville; W 55-6
at Mississippi State^; W 37-7
at LSU; W 24-3
Miami; W 36-0
Auburn*; W 48-21
Ohio State#; W 35-6
*Birmingham
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Johnny Davis, 931 yards and five touchdowns on 182 carries
Leading passer: Jeff Rutledge, 64 of 107 for 1,207 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions
Leading receiver: Ozzie Newsome, 804 yards and four touchdowns on 36 receptions
Leading tackler: Marty Lyons, 91
Biggest conference win: Alabama was dominant for much of the season behind the strength of its defense. It wrapped up the conference in its 24-3 win in Baton Rouge in early November, outgaining the Tigers, 389-183.
National finish: No. 2
SEC championship season memory: “I felt stupid. They should have some of the assistant coaches – Ken Donahue, for example, and the rest of them – up there riding them. I felt that way and I told them so, too. Heck, I didn’t even break a sweat – from work, that is – out there today. I did some worrying, sure, but none of the work.”
– Coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in the Nov. 6 Tuscaloosa News, after his players carried him off the field following the win over LSU
1975
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 6-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Leroy Cook, Richard Todd
Results:
Missouri*; L 20-7
Clemson; W 56-0
at Vanderbilt, W 40-7
Ole Miss*; W 32-6
Washington; 52-0
Tennessee*; W 30-7
TCU*; W 45-0
at Mississippi State^; W 21-10
at LSU; W 23-10
Southern Miss; W 27-6
Auburn*; W 28-0
Penn State#; W 13-6
*Birmingham
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Johnny Davis, 820 yards and seven touchdowns on 123 carries
Leading passer: Richard Todd, 47 of 89 for 661 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions
Leading receiver: Ozzie Newsome, 363 yards and five touchdowns on 21 receptions
Leading tackler: Bob Baumhower, 85
Biggest conference win: UA beat up 16th-ranked Tennessee, holding the Volunteers to just 117 total yards – and only 12 on the ground – while rolling up more than 300 rushing yards of its own.
National finish: No. 3
SEC championship season memory: “I used to sneak out in the woods and puff cigars when I was about seven, but they never tasted like this. This is almost as good!”
-Alabama defensive tackle Charles Hannah in the Oct. 19 Tuscaloosa News, after the victory over Tennessee
1974
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 6-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Sylvester Croom, Ricky Davis
Results:
at Maryland; W 21-16
Southern Miss*; W 52-0
Vanderbilt; W 23-10
at Ole Miss^; W 35-21
Florida State; W 8-7
at Tennessee; W 28-6
TCU*; W 41-3
Mississippi State*; W 35-0
LSU*; W 30-0
at Miami; W 28-7
Auburn*; W 17-13
Notre Dame#; L 13-11
*Birmingham
^Jackson, Miss.
#Orange Bowl, Miami
Leading rusher: Calvin Culliver, 708 yards and eight touchdowns on 116 carries
Leading passer: Richard Todd, 36 of 67 for 656 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions
Leading receiver: Ozzie Newsome, 374 yards and one touchdown on 20 receptions
Leading tackler: Leroy Cook, 81
Biggest conference win: The SEC title was decided with undefeated Alabama playing a once-beaten Auburn team that was ranked in the top 10. UA held Auburn to one completion, and Mike DuBose ripped the ball away from Phil Gargis on AU's final possession to preserve the win.
National finish: No. 5
SEC championship season memory: “They got a real good team. They don’t make any mistakes and they take advantage of others’ mistakes. They’ve got a real fine team, and I believe they’ll go all the way. We lost and it’s over. We hope they go all the way.”
-Auburn’s Phil Gargis in the Nov. 30 Birmingham News after the loss to Alabama.
1973
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 8-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Wilbur Jackson, Chuck Strickland
Results:
California*; W 66-0
at Kentucky; W 28-14
at Vanderbilt; W 44-0
Georgia; W 28-14
at Florida; W 35-14
Tennessee*; W 42-21
Virginia Tech; W 77-6
at Mississippi State^; W 35-0
Miami; W 43-13
at LSU; W 21-7
Auburn*; W 35-0
Notre Dame#; L 23-24
*Birmingham
^Jackson, Miss.
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Wilbur Jackson, 752 yards and eight touchdowns on 95 carries
Leading passer: Gary Rutledge, 33 of 57 for 897 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions
Leading tackler: Woodrow Lowe, 134
Biggest conference win: Alabama and LSU were both undefeated when they met in late November. The Crimson Tide won in Baton Rouge and eventually won the national championship, while the Tigers lost their final three games of the season, including the defeat to Alabama.
National finish: No. 1 (Coaches’ poll)
SEC championship season memory: “The fans kinda made us mad before the game. I hope they learned a lesson from it. They should know better than to throw oranges at this Alabama team.”
– Alabama quarterback Gary Rutledge in the Nov. 23 Tuscaloosa News, after UA beat LSU in a game where Tiger fans had thrown oranges at Alabama players before the game
1972
Overall record: 10-2
Conference record: 7-1
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Terry Davis, John Mitchell
Results:
Duke*; W 35-12
Kentucky*; W 35-0
Vanderbilt; W 48-21
at Georgia; W 25-7
Florida; W 24-7
at Tennessee; W 17-10
Southern Miss*; W 48-11
Mississippi State; W 58-14
LSU*; W 35-21
Virginia Tech; W 52-13
Auburn*; L 16-17
Texas^; L 13-17
*Birmingham
^Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Leading rusher: Steve Bisceglia, 603 yards and nine touchdowns on 125 carries
Leading passer: Terry Davis, 50 of 94 for 777 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions
Leading tackler: Chuck Strickland, 87
Biggest conference win: Auburn beat Alabama and each had one conference loss, but Alabama won the conference because it played eight conference games and Auburn played only seven. LSU went 4-1-1 in the conference, with its only loss coming to Alabama at Legion Field.
National finish: No. 7
SEC championship season memory: “The difference between LSU’s defense and a lot of teams is that they play right up on the ball. When I was playing center there wasn’t but about four inches between me and their noseguard man. It’s hard to get up enough momentum to push them back when they’re close like that.”
– Alabama center Jim Krapf in the Nov. 12 Tuscaloosa News after UA defeated LSU.
1971
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 7-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Johnny Musso, Robin Parkhouse
Results:
at Southern California; W 17-10
Southern Miss; W 42-6
at Florida; W 38-0
Ole Miss*; W 40-6
at Vanderbilt; W 42-0
Tennessee*; W 32-15
Houston; W 34-20
Mississippi State^; W 41-10
at LSU*; W 14-7
Miami; W 31-3
Auburn*; W 31-7
Nebraska#; L 6-38
*Birmingham
^Jackson, Miss.
#Orange Bowl, Miami
Leading rusher: Johnny Musso, 1,088 yards and 16 touchdowns on 191 carries
Leading passer: Terry Davis, 42 of 66 for 452 yards and eight touchdowns with four interceptions
Leading tackler: Tom Surlas, 91
Biggest conference win: Alabama was 10-0 entering the Iron Bowl while Auburn was 9-0. The Crimson Tide mauled Auburn and Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan, 31-7, in the final-regular season game. This was Alabama’s first season with its new wishbone offense.
National finish: No. 4
SEC championship season memory: “Before the game there was some doubt in my mind as to which team was better, Alabama or Georgia, but there is no question now. Alabama is the best team we’ve played. Their running game was out of this world and they passed on us when they got ready. When the score was 14-7 after three quarters we were in good shape, but they made the big plays in the fourth quarter and demonstrated their superiority.”
– Auburn coach Ralph Jordan in the Nov. 28 Birmingham News after losing to Alabama.
1966
Overall record: 11-0
Conference record: 6-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Ray Perkins, Richard Cole
Results:
Louisiana Tech*; W 34-0
at Ole Miss^; W 17-7
Clemson; W 26-0
at Tennessee; W 11-10
Vanderbilt*; W 42-6
Mississippi State; W 27-14
LSU*; W 21-0
South Carolina; W 24-0
Southern Miss+; W 34-0
Auburn*; W 31-0
Nebraska#; W 34-7
*Birmingham
^Jackson, Miss.
+Mobile
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Ken Stabler, 397 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries
Leading passer: Ken Stabler, 74 of 114 for 956 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions
Biggest conference win: Alabama avoided Georgia and Florida, who finished second and third in the SEC this season, respectively. Tennessee took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter in Knoxville. Stabler ran for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and threw for a two-point conversion, then drove Alabama in position for a field goal to take an 11-10 lead. Tennessee tried a field goal in the final minute that missed.
National finish: No. 3
SEC championship season memory: “We were down 10-0 (to Tennessee) and we barely had our feet wet. It was still 10-0 at the half. Stabler hadn’t completed a pass. I went in there clapping and smiling anyway. I told them that was Tennessee’s half. The next would be ours.”
– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in his autobiography, “Bear”
1965
Overall record: 9-1-1
Conference record: 6-1-1
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Steve Sloan, Paul Crane
Results:
at Georgia; L 17-18
Tulane+; W 27-0
Ole Miss*; W 17-16
at Vanderbilt; W 22-7
Tennessee*; T 7-7
Florida State; W 21-0
at Mississippi State^; W10-7
at LSU; W 31-7
South Carolina; W 35-14
Auburn*; W 30-3
Nebraska#; W 39-28
*Birmingham
+Mobile
^Jackson, Miss.
#Orange Bowl, Miami
Leading rusher: Steve Bowman, 770 yards and six touchdowns on 153 carries
Leading passer: Steve Sloan, 97 of 160 for 1,453 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions
Biggest conference win: Alabama handed Auburn its lone conference loss in the regular-season finale. Sloan threw three touchdown passes as Alabama pulled away in the second half.
National finish: No. 1
SEC championship season memory: “We did have a little of the old style after we lost to Georgia in the first game in 1965. The following week we weren’t getting anything done, so I called a scrimmage. It was still no good, so I said, ‘That’s all, gentlemen,’ and when they started to leave, added ‘but be on the field at six o’clock tomorrow morning, because we’re going to get this thing done.’ I said ‘You’re here to go to school, to get an education, but you’re also here to play football. It works both ways. You promised to give your best. Now, if you don’t like this, go on home. Tomorrow morning you’re going to give your best or you’re going to quit.’”
– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in his autobiography, “Bear”
1964
Overall record: 10-1
Conference record: 8-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Joe Namath, Ray Ogden
Results:
Georgia; W 31-3
Tulane+; W 36-6
Vanderbilt*; W 24-0
North Carolina State; W 21-0
at Tennessee; W 19-8
Florida; 17-14
Mississippi State^; W 23-6
LSU*; W 17-9
at Georgia Tech; W 24-7
Auburn*; W 21-14
Texas#; L 17-21
*Birmingham
+Mobile
^Jackson, Miss.
#Orange Bowl, Miami
Leading rusher: Steve Bowman, 536 yards and eight touchdowns on 106 carries
Leading passer: Joe Namath, 64 of 100 for 756 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions
Biggest conference win: Steve Spurrier wasn’t a coaching legend or a Heisman winner in 1964; he was just beginning his career as Florida’s quarterback. The Gators took a 14-7 lead after halftime before Alabama retook the lead in the fourth quarter. Spurrier drove Florida into field goal range late, but the kick to tie the game missed.
National finish: No. 1
SEC championship season memory: “I said, ‘You make your own luck, even at (Georgia Tech’s) Grant Field. But let me tell you this. That will be the most hostile crowd you’ve ever seen. Two years ago they threw everything at us from ice to bourbon bottles. I don’t mean to insinuate they’re not good folks. They probably got good mamas and papas, too. But I think some of them have forgot their training.”
– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in his autobiography, “Bear”
1961
Overall record: 11-0
Conference record: 7-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Pat Trammell, Billy Neighbors
Results:
at Georgia; W 32-6
Tulane+; W 9-0
at Vanderbilt; W 35-6
North Carolina State; W 26-7
Tennessee*; W 34-3
at Houston; W 17-0
Mississippi State; W 24-0
Richmond; W 66-0
Georgia Tech*; W 10-0
Auburn*; W 34-0
Arkansas#; W 10-3
*Birmingham
+Mobile
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Mike Fracchia, 652 yards and five touchdowns on 130 carries
Leading passer: Pat Trammell; 75 of 133 for 1,035 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions
Biggest conference win: This dominant team found little opposition on its way to an undefeated season. Georgia Tech was probably its toughest conference opponent. The Crimson Tide scored a touchdown in the second quarter to take control and didn’t let up from there.
National finish: No. 1
SEC championship season memory: “As a quarterback Pat had no great ability. All he can do is beat you.”
– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant on Pat Trammell
Ben Jones and Tommy Deas | TideSports.com staff
Alabama's 2012 SEC championship team
Courtesy University of Alabama
The University of Alabama will play for its 26th Southeastern Conference championship on Saturday when it faces the Florida Gators in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. Here is a look at the Crimson Tide’s previous conference championship teams:
2015
Overall record: 14-1
Conference record: 7-1
Head coach: Nick Saban
Captains: Jake Coker, Derrick Henry, Ryan Kelly, Reggie Ragland
Results:
Wisconsin*; W 35-7
Middle Tennessee; W 37-10
Ole Miss; L 43-37
Louisiana-Monroe; W 34-0
at Georgia; W 38-10
Arkansas; W 27-14
at Texas A&M; W 41-23
Tennessee; W 19-14
LSU; W 30-16
at Mississippi State; W 31-6
Charleston Southern; W 56-6
at Auburn; W 29-13
Florida+; W 29-15
Michigan State#; W 38-0
Clemson^; W 45-40
*Arlington, Texas
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#College Football Playoff semifinal, Arlington, Texas
^CFP National Championship Game, Glendale, Ariz.
Leading rusher: Derrick Henry, 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns on 395 carries
Leading passer: Jake Coker, 263 of 393 for 3,110 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions
Leading receiver: Calvin Ridley, 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns on 89 receptions
Leading tackler: Reggie Ragland, 102
Biggest conference win: Alabama overwhelmed a highly-ranked Georgia team on the road in a downpour to reestablish itself as a contender, intercepting three passes along the way.
National finish: No. 1
SEC Championship Game memory: “The biggest thing, we had a good plan on defense. We knew what what they were going to do. Our team does a good job of tracking what the other team is doing and what we need to do. … They did a nice job of executing, did a good job up front stopping the run. They were behind the sticks a lot, and we did a good job on third down.”
– Alabama head coach Nick Saban
2014
Overall record: 12-2
Conference record: 7-1
Head coach: Nick Saban
Captains: Landon Collins, Amari Cooper, Jalston Fowler, Blake Sims
Results:
West Virginia*; W 33-23
Florida Atlantic; W 41-0
Southern Miss; W 52-12
Florida; W 42-21
at Ole Miss; L 23-17
at Arkansas; W 14-13
Texas A&M; W 59-0
at Tennessee; W 34-20
at LSU; W 20-13 OT
Mississippi State; W 25-20
Western Carolina; W 48-14
Auburn; W 55-44
Missouri; W 42-13*
Ohio State; L 42-35#
*Atlanta
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#College Football Playoff semifinal, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Derrick Henry, 990 yards and 11 touchdowns on 172 carries
Leading passer: Blake Sims, 252 of 391 for 3,4887 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions
Leading receiver: Amari Cooper, 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns on 124 receptions
Leading tackler: Landon Collins, 103
Biggest conference win: The Crimson Tide won an Iron Bowl shootout with rival Auburn, rolling up more than 500 yards in total offense with four rushing touchdowns and four passing scores.
National finish: No. 4
SEC Championship Game memory: “We had cut it to one score, and then they take it, go 65 yards and answer. Then they hold us, we punt them down to the 10-yard line and they go 90 yards and score. Those were two statement drives by them. That’s what great teams do.”
– Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel
2012
Overall record: 13-1
Conference record: 7-1
Head coach: Nick Saban
Captains: Barrett Jones, Damion Square, Chance Warmack
Results:
Michigan*; W 41-14
Western Kentucky; W 35-0
at Arkansas; W 52-0
Florida Atlantic, W 40-7
Ole Miss; W 33-14
at Missouri, W 42-10
at Tennessee; W 44-13
Mississippi State; W 38-7
at LSU; W 21-17
Texas A&M; L 29-24
Western Carolina; W 49-0
Auburn; W 49-0
Georgia*; W 32-28
Notre Dame#; W 42-14
*Arlington, Texas
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#BCS National Championship Game, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Leading rusher: Eddie Lacy, 1.322 yards and 17 touchdowns on 204 carries
Leading passer: AJ McCarron, 211 of 314 for 2,933 yards with 30 touchdowns and three interceptions
Leading receiver: Amari Cooper, 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns on 59 receptions
Leading tackler: C.J. Mosley, 107
Biggest conference win: Alabama rallied to beat LSU in Baton Rouge, La., with T.J. Yeldon scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 28-yard screen pass with 51 seconds to go.
National finish: No. 1
SEC Championship Game memory: "I couldn't be prouder, not only for the way they competed in this game but for the way they have come back all year. This conference will test your mettle. We beat a really good team out there today. We really couldn't handle their pass rush and it was difficult for us to throw the ball, but you have to give our offensive line a lot of credit for getting a hat on a hat."
– Alabama head coach Nick Saban
2009
Overall record: 14-0
Conference record: 8-0
Head coach: Nick Saban
Captains: Javier Arenas, Mike Johnson, Rolando McClain
Results:
Virginia Tech*; W 34-24
Florida International; W 40-14
North Texas; W 53-7
Arkansas; W 35-7
at Kentucky; W 38-20
at Ole Miss; W 22-3
South Carolina; W 20-6
Tennessee; W 12-10
LSU; W 24-15
at Mississippi State; W 31-3
Chattanooga; W 45-0
at Auburn; W 26-21
Florida+; W 32-13
Texas#; W 37-21
*Atlanta
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#BCS National Championship Game, Pasadena, Calif.
Leading rusher: Mark Ingram, 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns on 271 carries
Leading passer: Greg McElroy, 198 of 325 for 2,508 yards with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions
Leading receiver: Julio Jones, 596 yards and four touchdowns on 43 receptions
Leading tackler: Rolando McClain, 105
Biggest conference win: Alabama survived Tennessee as Terrence Cody blocked a field goal attempt as time expired, UA's second blocked field goal of the game, to preserve a two-point victory.
National finish: No. 1
SEC Championship Game memory: "It's been such an incredible season. We started the season here (in the Georgia Dome) with a win and were able to win a championship today. I can't say enough about my offensive line, (and) we have the greatest coaching staff in the country. "
– Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy
1999
Overall record: 10-3
Conference record: 7-1
Head coach: Mike DuBose
Captains: Shaun Alexander, Cornelius Griffin, Miguel Merritt, Ryan Pflugner, Chris Samuels
Results:
at Vanderbilt; W 28-17
Houston*; W 37-10
Louisiana Tech*; L 29-28
Arkansas; W 35-28
at Florida; W 40-39 OT
at Ole Miss; W 30-24
Tennessee; L 21-7
Southern Miss; W 35-14
LSU; W 23-17
Mississippi State; W 19-7
at Auburn; W 28-17
Florida+; W 34-7
Michigan#; L 35-34 OT
*Birmingham
+SEC Championship Game, Atlanta
#Orange Bowl, Miami
Leading rusher: Shaun Alexander, 1,383 yards and 10 touchdowns on 302 carries
Leading passer: Andrew Zow, 148 of 264 for 1,799 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions
Leading receiver: Freddie Milons, 733 yards and two touchdowns on 65 receptions
Leading tackler: Saleem Rasheed, 84
Biggest conference win: Alabama snapped Florida's 30-game home winning streak in overtime as Shaun Alexander scored four touchdowns. Chris Kemp made a second-chance extra point for the game-winner after UF was offside on the first attempt.
National finish: No. 8
SEC championship season memory: “I can’t say enough about Shaun. Early in the game, he was hit pretty hard and was bleeding from his lip. I was kind of concerned about him. I didn’t want him to keep swallowing any blood. I thought he looked a little sluggish. But he’s the type of player you can’t just look over. He has a lot of heart.”
– Quarterback Andrew Zow, on Shaun Alexander’s performance in the overtime win at Florida.
1992
Overall record: 13-0
Conference record: 8-0
Head coach: Gene Stallings
Captains: Derrick Oden, George Teague, George Wilson, Prince Wimbley
Results:
Vanderbilt; W 25-8
Southern Miss*; W 17-10
at Arkansas^; W 38-11
Louisiana Tech*; W 13-0
South Carolina; W 48-7
at Tulane; W 37-0
at Tennessee; W 17-10
Ole Miss; W 31-10
at LSU; W 31-11
at Mississippi State; W 30-21
Auburn*; W 17-0
Florida+; W 28-21
Miami#; W 33-13
*Birmingham
^Little Rock, Ark.
+SEC Championship Game, Birmingham
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Derrick Lassic, 905 yards and 10 touchdowns on 108 carries
Leading passer: Jay Barker, 132 of 243 for 1,614 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions
Leading receiver: David Palmer, 297 yards and one touchdown on 24 receptions
Leading tackler: Lemanski Hall, 70
Biggest conference win: Alabama trailed in the fourth quarter for the first time all season at Mississippi State, but closed strong. Antonio Langham blocked a punt and UA recovered a fumbled punt in an impressive special teams showing.
National finish: No. 1
SEC Championship Game memory: “Last year they beat us kind of bad. We went out with revenge on our minds and did it. Florida did a lot of blitzing, so we knew we would have a lot of man-to-man coverage. We knew they couldn’t cover us man-to-man, so Jay was real effective.”
– Wide receiver David Palmer
1989
Overall record: 10-2
Conference record: 6-1
Head coach: Bill Curry
Captains: Marco Battle, Willie Wyatt
Results:
Memphis State*; W 35-7
Kentucky; W 15-3
at Vanderbilt; W 20-14
at Ole Miss^; W 62-27
Southwestern Louisiana; W 24-17
Tennessee*; W 47-30
at Penn State; W 17-16
Mississippi State*; W 23-10
at LSU; W 32-16
Southern Miss; W 37-14
at Auburn; L 30-20
Miami#; L 33-25
*Birmingham
^Jackson, Miss.
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Siran Stacy, 1,079 yards and 17 touchdowns on 216 carries
Leading passer: Gary Hollingsworth, 205 of 339 for 2,379 yards with 14 touchdowns and 16 interceptions
Leading receiver: Lamonde Russell, 662 yards and five touchdowns on 61 receptions
Leading tackler: Keith McCants, 119
Biggest conference win: Alabama trailed Ole Miss 21-0 early on but scored 62 unanswered points, with Gary Hollingsworth throwing five touchdown passes.
National finish: No. 9
SEC championship season memory: “We knew we couldn’t fall apart. We still had 3½ quarters left to play. We felt that was plenty of time. The way Ole Miss scored early, I was thinking they wouldn’t score that much on our defense. The pressure was definitely placed on us. But we were able to hold together as a team.”
– Quarterback Gary Hollingsworth after the comeback at Ole Miss, in the Oct. 8 Tuscaloosa News
1981
Overall record: 9-2-1
Conference record: 7-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Warren Lyles, Alan Gray
Results:
at LSU; W 24-7
Georgia Tech*; L 24-21
at Kentucky; W 19-10
at Vanderbilt; W 28-7
Ole Miss*; W 38-7
Southern Miss*; T 13-13
Tennessee*; W 38-19
Rutgers; W 31-7
Mississippi State*; W 13-10
at Penn State; W 31-16
Auburn*; W 28-17
Texas#; L 14-12
*Birmingham
#Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Leading rusher: Ricky Moore, 347 yards and no touchdowns on 79 carries
Leading passer: Walter Lewis, 30 of 66 for 633 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions
Leading receiver: Jesse Bendross, 256 yards and five touchdowns on 13 receptions
Leading tackler: Robbie Jones, 107
Biggest conference win: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant's record-setting 315th career victory, coming against Auburn, was more historic, but UA had lost to Mississippi State the year before and the Bulldogs came to Tuscaloosa ranked one spot higher than Alabama at No. 7. Terry Sanders kicked a 28-yard field goal in the fourth quarter and Tommy Wilcox intercepted a pass near the goal line to preserve the victory.
National finish: No. 7
SEC championship season memory: “I knew we had a young team at the start of practice in August and said so. I said then that our youth would have to mature, but that I thought we could. Well, this team has not peaked yet. I thought we would become a great team. We started to come forward in our game with Mississippi State, but we never reached our peak.”
– Coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in The Tuscaloosa News on Dec. 28, 1981, before the Cotton Bowl
1979
Overall record: 12-0
Conference record: 6-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Don McNeal, Steve Whitman
Results:
at Georgia Tech; W 30-6
Baylor*; W 45-0
at Vanderbilt; W 66-3
Wichita State; W 38-0
at Florida; W 40-0
Tennessee*; W 27-17
Virginia Tech; W 31-7
Mississippi State*; W 24-7
at LSU; W 3-0
Miami; W 30-0
Auburn*; W 25-18
Arkansas#; W 24-9
*Birmingham
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Steadman Shealy, 791 yards and 11 touchdowns on 111 carries
Leading passer: Steadman Shealy, 45 of 81 for 717 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions
Leading receiver: Keith Pugh, 433 yards and two touchdowns on 25 receptions
Leading tackler: Thomas Boyd, 92
Biggest conference win: In a windy downpour in Baton Rouge, La., Alan McElroy booted a 27-yard field goal midway through the third quarter and Alabama's defense did the rest in a game that saw the teams combine for 15 punts.
National finish: No. 1
SEC championship season memory: “I punched the first (field goal attempt), and I think the wind pushed away the second one. When I lined up for the third one, I just tried to kick it like I have all the others in my career. I was thankful for the chance. I stood on the sideline after halftime wondering if it would come.”
– Kicker Alan McElroy on his game-winning field goal against LSU in the Nov. 11 Tuscaloosa News
1978
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 6-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Marty Lyons, Tony Nathan, Jeff Rutledge
Results:
Nebraska*; W 20-3
at Missouri; W 38-20
Southern Cal*; L 24-14
Vanderbilt; W 51-28
at Washington; W 20-17
at Florida; W 23-12
at Tennessee; W 30-17
Virginia Tech; W 35-0
Mississippi State*; W 35-14
LSU*; W 31-10
Auburn*; W 34-16
Penn State#; W 14-7
*Birmingham
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Tony Nathan, 770 yards and six touchdowns on 111 carries
Leading passer: Jeff Rutledge, 73 of 140 for 1,070 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions
Leading receiver: Keith Pugh, 446 yards and two touchdowns on 20 receptions
Leading tackler: Marty Lyons, 119
Biggest conference win: In its only SEC game against a ranked opponent, Alabama manhandled No. 10 LSU, rolling up 427 yards in total offense for a three-touchdown margin of victory.
National finish: No. 1
SEC championship season memory: “LSU was well-prepared for us, but I thought we had the better team. But we’re not where we want to be. However, we have three weeks to get better.”
– Coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in the Nov. 12 Tuscaloosa News after the victory over LSU to clinch the conference
1977
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 7-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Ozzie Newsome, Mike Tucker
Results:
Ole Miss*; W 34-13
at Nebraska; L 31-24
at Vanderbilt; W 24-12
Georgia*; W 18-10
at Southern Cal; W 21-20
Tennessee*; W 24-10
Louisville; W 55-6
at Mississippi State^; W 37-7
at LSU; W 24-3
Miami; W 36-0
Auburn*; W 48-21
Ohio State#; W 35-6
*Birmingham
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Johnny Davis, 931 yards and five touchdowns on 182 carries
Leading passer: Jeff Rutledge, 64 of 107 for 1,207 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions
Leading receiver: Ozzie Newsome, 804 yards and four touchdowns on 36 receptions
Leading tackler: Marty Lyons, 91
Biggest conference win: Alabama was dominant for much of the season behind the strength of its defense. It wrapped up the conference in its 24-3 win in Baton Rouge in early November, outgaining the Tigers, 389-183.
National finish: No. 2
SEC championship season memory: “I felt stupid. They should have some of the assistant coaches – Ken Donahue, for example, and the rest of them – up there riding them. I felt that way and I told them so, too. Heck, I didn’t even break a sweat – from work, that is – out there today. I did some worrying, sure, but none of the work.”
– Coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in the Nov. 6 Tuscaloosa News, after his players carried him off the field following the win over LSU
1975
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 6-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Leroy Cook, Richard Todd
Results:
Missouri*; L 20-7
Clemson; W 56-0
at Vanderbilt, W 40-7
Ole Miss*; W 32-6
Washington; 52-0
Tennessee*; W 30-7
TCU*; W 45-0
at Mississippi State^; W 21-10
at LSU; W 23-10
Southern Miss; W 27-6
Auburn*; W 28-0
Penn State#; W 13-6
*Birmingham
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Johnny Davis, 820 yards and seven touchdowns on 123 carries
Leading passer: Richard Todd, 47 of 89 for 661 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions
Leading receiver: Ozzie Newsome, 363 yards and five touchdowns on 21 receptions
Leading tackler: Bob Baumhower, 85
Biggest conference win: UA beat up 16th-ranked Tennessee, holding the Volunteers to just 117 total yards – and only 12 on the ground – while rolling up more than 300 rushing yards of its own.
National finish: No. 3
SEC championship season memory: “I used to sneak out in the woods and puff cigars when I was about seven, but they never tasted like this. This is almost as good!”
-Alabama defensive tackle Charles Hannah in the Oct. 19 Tuscaloosa News, after the victory over Tennessee
1974
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 6-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Sylvester Croom, Ricky Davis
Results:
at Maryland; W 21-16
Southern Miss*; W 52-0
Vanderbilt; W 23-10
at Ole Miss^; W 35-21
Florida State; W 8-7
at Tennessee; W 28-6
TCU*; W 41-3
Mississippi State*; W 35-0
LSU*; W 30-0
at Miami; W 28-7
Auburn*; W 17-13
Notre Dame#; L 13-11
*Birmingham
^Jackson, Miss.
#Orange Bowl, Miami
Leading rusher: Calvin Culliver, 708 yards and eight touchdowns on 116 carries
Leading passer: Richard Todd, 36 of 67 for 656 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions
Leading receiver: Ozzie Newsome, 374 yards and one touchdown on 20 receptions
Leading tackler: Leroy Cook, 81
Biggest conference win: The SEC title was decided with undefeated Alabama playing a once-beaten Auburn team that was ranked in the top 10. UA held Auburn to one completion, and Mike DuBose ripped the ball away from Phil Gargis on AU's final possession to preserve the win.
National finish: No. 5
SEC championship season memory: “They got a real good team. They don’t make any mistakes and they take advantage of others’ mistakes. They’ve got a real fine team, and I believe they’ll go all the way. We lost and it’s over. We hope they go all the way.”
-Auburn’s Phil Gargis in the Nov. 30 Birmingham News after the loss to Alabama.
1973
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 8-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Wilbur Jackson, Chuck Strickland
Results:
California*; W 66-0
at Kentucky; W 28-14
at Vanderbilt; W 44-0
Georgia; W 28-14
at Florida; W 35-14
Tennessee*; W 42-21
Virginia Tech; W 77-6
at Mississippi State^; W 35-0
Miami; W 43-13
at LSU; W 21-7
Auburn*; W 35-0
Notre Dame#; L 23-24
*Birmingham
^Jackson, Miss.
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Wilbur Jackson, 752 yards and eight touchdowns on 95 carries
Leading passer: Gary Rutledge, 33 of 57 for 897 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions
Leading tackler: Woodrow Lowe, 134
Biggest conference win: Alabama and LSU were both undefeated when they met in late November. The Crimson Tide won in Baton Rouge and eventually won the national championship, while the Tigers lost their final three games of the season, including the defeat to Alabama.
National finish: No. 1 (Coaches’ poll)
SEC championship season memory: “The fans kinda made us mad before the game. I hope they learned a lesson from it. They should know better than to throw oranges at this Alabama team.”
– Alabama quarterback Gary Rutledge in the Nov. 23 Tuscaloosa News, after UA beat LSU in a game where Tiger fans had thrown oranges at Alabama players before the game
1972
Overall record: 10-2
Conference record: 7-1
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Terry Davis, John Mitchell
Results:
Duke*; W 35-12
Kentucky*; W 35-0
Vanderbilt; W 48-21
at Georgia; W 25-7
Florida; W 24-7
at Tennessee; W 17-10
Southern Miss*; W 48-11
Mississippi State; W 58-14
LSU*; W 35-21
Virginia Tech; W 52-13
Auburn*; L 16-17
Texas^; L 13-17
*Birmingham
^Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Leading rusher: Steve Bisceglia, 603 yards and nine touchdowns on 125 carries
Leading passer: Terry Davis, 50 of 94 for 777 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions
Leading tackler: Chuck Strickland, 87
Biggest conference win: Auburn beat Alabama and each had one conference loss, but Alabama won the conference because it played eight conference games and Auburn played only seven. LSU went 4-1-1 in the conference, with its only loss coming to Alabama at Legion Field.
National finish: No. 7
SEC championship season memory: “The difference between LSU’s defense and a lot of teams is that they play right up on the ball. When I was playing center there wasn’t but about four inches between me and their noseguard man. It’s hard to get up enough momentum to push them back when they’re close like that.”
– Alabama center Jim Krapf in the Nov. 12 Tuscaloosa News after UA defeated LSU.
1971
Overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 7-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Johnny Musso, Robin Parkhouse
Results:
at Southern California; W 17-10
Southern Miss; W 42-6
at Florida; W 38-0
Ole Miss*; W 40-6
at Vanderbilt; W 42-0
Tennessee*; W 32-15
Houston; W 34-20
Mississippi State^; W 41-10
at LSU*; W 14-7
Miami; W 31-3
Auburn*; W 31-7
Nebraska#; L 6-38
*Birmingham
^Jackson, Miss.
#Orange Bowl, Miami
Leading rusher: Johnny Musso, 1,088 yards and 16 touchdowns on 191 carries
Leading passer: Terry Davis, 42 of 66 for 452 yards and eight touchdowns with four interceptions
Leading tackler: Tom Surlas, 91
Biggest conference win: Alabama was 10-0 entering the Iron Bowl while Auburn was 9-0. The Crimson Tide mauled Auburn and Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan, 31-7, in the final-regular season game. This was Alabama’s first season with its new wishbone offense.
National finish: No. 4
SEC championship season memory: “Before the game there was some doubt in my mind as to which team was better, Alabama or Georgia, but there is no question now. Alabama is the best team we’ve played. Their running game was out of this world and they passed on us when they got ready. When the score was 14-7 after three quarters we were in good shape, but they made the big plays in the fourth quarter and demonstrated their superiority.”
– Auburn coach Ralph Jordan in the Nov. 28 Birmingham News after losing to Alabama.
1966
Overall record: 11-0
Conference record: 6-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Ray Perkins, Richard Cole
Results:
Louisiana Tech*; W 34-0
at Ole Miss^; W 17-7
Clemson; W 26-0
at Tennessee; W 11-10
Vanderbilt*; W 42-6
Mississippi State; W 27-14
LSU*; W 21-0
South Carolina; W 24-0
Southern Miss+; W 34-0
Auburn*; W 31-0
Nebraska#; W 34-7
*Birmingham
^Jackson, Miss.
+Mobile
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Ken Stabler, 397 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries
Leading passer: Ken Stabler, 74 of 114 for 956 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions
Biggest conference win: Alabama avoided Georgia and Florida, who finished second and third in the SEC this season, respectively. Tennessee took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter in Knoxville. Stabler ran for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and threw for a two-point conversion, then drove Alabama in position for a field goal to take an 11-10 lead. Tennessee tried a field goal in the final minute that missed.
National finish: No. 3
SEC championship season memory: “We were down 10-0 (to Tennessee) and we barely had our feet wet. It was still 10-0 at the half. Stabler hadn’t completed a pass. I went in there clapping and smiling anyway. I told them that was Tennessee’s half. The next would be ours.”
– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in his autobiography, “Bear”
1965
Overall record: 9-1-1
Conference record: 6-1-1
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Steve Sloan, Paul Crane
Results:
at Georgia; L 17-18
Tulane+; W 27-0
Ole Miss*; W 17-16
at Vanderbilt; W 22-7
Tennessee*; T 7-7
Florida State; W 21-0
at Mississippi State^; W10-7
at LSU; W 31-7
South Carolina; W 35-14
Auburn*; W 30-3
Nebraska#; W 39-28
*Birmingham
+Mobile
^Jackson, Miss.
#Orange Bowl, Miami
Leading rusher: Steve Bowman, 770 yards and six touchdowns on 153 carries
Leading passer: Steve Sloan, 97 of 160 for 1,453 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions
Biggest conference win: Alabama handed Auburn its lone conference loss in the regular-season finale. Sloan threw three touchdown passes as Alabama pulled away in the second half.
National finish: No. 1
SEC championship season memory: “We did have a little of the old style after we lost to Georgia in the first game in 1965. The following week we weren’t getting anything done, so I called a scrimmage. It was still no good, so I said, ‘That’s all, gentlemen,’ and when they started to leave, added ‘but be on the field at six o’clock tomorrow morning, because we’re going to get this thing done.’ I said ‘You’re here to go to school, to get an education, but you’re also here to play football. It works both ways. You promised to give your best. Now, if you don’t like this, go on home. Tomorrow morning you’re going to give your best or you’re going to quit.’”
– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in his autobiography, “Bear”
1964
Overall record: 10-1
Conference record: 8-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Joe Namath, Ray Ogden
Results:
Georgia; W 31-3
Tulane+; W 36-6
Vanderbilt*; W 24-0
North Carolina State; W 21-0
at Tennessee; W 19-8
Florida; 17-14
Mississippi State^; W 23-6
LSU*; W 17-9
at Georgia Tech; W 24-7
Auburn*; W 21-14
Texas#; L 17-21
*Birmingham
+Mobile
^Jackson, Miss.
#Orange Bowl, Miami
Leading rusher: Steve Bowman, 536 yards and eight touchdowns on 106 carries
Leading passer: Joe Namath, 64 of 100 for 756 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions
Biggest conference win: Steve Spurrier wasn’t a coaching legend or a Heisman winner in 1964; he was just beginning his career as Florida’s quarterback. The Gators took a 14-7 lead after halftime before Alabama retook the lead in the fourth quarter. Spurrier drove Florida into field goal range late, but the kick to tie the game missed.
National finish: No. 1
SEC championship season memory: “I said, ‘You make your own luck, even at (Georgia Tech’s) Grant Field. But let me tell you this. That will be the most hostile crowd you’ve ever seen. Two years ago they threw everything at us from ice to bourbon bottles. I don’t mean to insinuate they’re not good folks. They probably got good mamas and papas, too. But I think some of them have forgot their training.”
– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in his autobiography, “Bear”
1961
Overall record: 11-0
Conference record: 7-0
Head coach: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
Captains: Pat Trammell, Billy Neighbors
Results:
at Georgia; W 32-6
Tulane+; W 9-0
at Vanderbilt; W 35-6
North Carolina State; W 26-7
Tennessee*; W 34-3
at Houston; W 17-0
Mississippi State; W 24-0
Richmond; W 66-0
Georgia Tech*; W 10-0
Auburn*; W 34-0
Arkansas#; W 10-3
*Birmingham
+Mobile
#Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Leading rusher: Mike Fracchia, 652 yards and five touchdowns on 130 carries
Leading passer: Pat Trammell; 75 of 133 for 1,035 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions
Biggest conference win: This dominant team found little opposition on its way to an undefeated season. Georgia Tech was probably its toughest conference opponent. The Crimson Tide scored a touchdown in the second quarter to take control and didn’t let up from there.
National finish: No. 1
SEC championship season memory: “As a quarterback Pat had no great ability. All he can do is beat you.”
– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant on Pat Trammell
