In'09, the worst we could do was to finish second in the country to a team that is half way across the country. Granted, getting one over on Texas specifically was a good one noting our history.
But '11 was different. We could have proven that we were no better than second in our own division. Coach Saban would not have had a good arguement that he as the best coach in his own division. But with a win, the team recolored November 5th as LSU getting away with one. Firmly established the Tide as #1 in the country against a team that we have to account for every year. Placed Coach Nick Saban into the College Football Hall of Fame with a first ballot vote.
'11 is special because there was so much on the line, and this team OWNED its own future. As Coach Les Miles said to his own team "You see your path. Now go take it." The Tide didn't win it. They took it.