🏈 Dennis Dodd actually showing Bama a little love today—"Best dynasty ever? Alabama can close its case

[TerryP]

All of it is mentioned to hammer home the obvious: The Tide have made this run through (arguably) the most powerful SEC in history. Focus less on the 7-3 record against top 10 teams since 2009 and more on the 23 games played against ranked teams in that span. That's equivalent to almost two seasons of top 25 challenges.


A third BCS title in four years would match the career numbers of Barry Switzer, Darrell Royal and Woody Hayes (three titles each). Alabama seniors could boast more national championship rings in their four seasons than Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno (two each) had in their combined 100 years as head coaches.


The Tide are within a couple of bounces of playing for their fourth title in five years. No. 1 Alabama lost the 2008 SEC title game to Florida.

Yes, a case can be made.


Dynasty is always a loaded word, sparking debate and suggesting long-term excellence. A lot of you will immediately think of Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak in the 1950s. It took Bud Wilkinson 17 years to win his three titles. If he triumphs next week, Saban would have won four in 11 SEC seasons at two schools.


A fourth title would tie him with Notre Dame's Frank Leahy and put Saban two away from tying Bear Bryant. You see where this could be headed. Immortality.


Bama's feat almost needs a translator. Its achievements speak a different language. Its longest winning streak the past four years -- 19 games -- ended more than two years ago. How does that compare to Penn State's 31-game undefeated streak from 1967-70? It doesn't. Alabama has played those 23 games against ranked teams. In its streak, Penn State played four. That was during its days as an independent when Paterno could arrange a favorable Eastern-based schedule. It may have taken years for his program to overcome that perception with the pollsters.


Meanwhile, Alabama has been able to play for two national championships the last two seasons after enduring November home losses. It won in 2011 without winning its division.


Miami won four titles in nine years (1983-1991), but with three different coaches. This century both Miami and Southern California have put together 34-game winning streaks. They dominated the first half of the century's first decade also winning three championships in four years.

Combined.


"Because of today with all the constraints and the level of competition has gone up, there are more good teams out there," Bernie Kish, a historian for the National Football Foundation, said of Alabama. "It's just an unbelievable feat."

CBSSports.com

 

[TerryP]

This is something that makes me say, "DAMN."

Alabama seniors could boast more national championship rings in their four seasons than Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno (two each) had in their combined 100 years as head coaches.

 

[ElephantStomp]

This is something that makes me say, "DAMN."

Alabama seniors could boast more national championship rings in their four seasons than Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno (two each) had in their combined 100 years as head coaches.

That is exactly when I just read that piece.

I think what's even more impressive is what Bernie stated in that piece "more good teams than ever before" and Saban and company are still doing what they're doing.....pretty damn impressive

 

[bamafan4ever]

My favorite quote but I am sure opposing teams will cover their ears because they don't want to hear this (or their eyes because they don't want to read this).....

All of it is mentioned to hammer home the obvious: The Tide have made this run through (arguably) the most powerful SEC in history. Focus less on the 7-3 record against top 10 teams since 2009 and more on the 23 games played against ranked teams in that span. That's equivalent to almost two seasons of top 25 challenges.

...but our schedule has been weeeeeeeaaaaaak!

 

[cartag]

Is it love from Dodd? I think it's a new opportunity to foster hate for Alabama, of which there is already plenty. I wish he'd save this article for after the game.