In a break from this interminable political season, I want to talk about last nights beatdown of LSU by Alabama. After the slugfest on November 5 that saw the Tigers win in overtime, I had steeled myself for a repeat of that outcome. Apparently, I hadn’t needed to. Despite not scoring a touchdown until the final minutes of the game, Alabama dominated in a way that even your true believer fans couldn’t have imagined.

I think what was so remarkable about this particular display of dominance was how many people, myself included, had bought into the hype of LSU. They had beaten so many top ranked teams by such large margins. They had walked into Bryant-Denny Stadium, and escaped with a victory. While I thought Alabama could certainly win, I had no idea they would win in this way.

Amidst all the hype, I guess I forgot a couple of things. For starters, LSU made a big mistake by letting Jordan Jefferson take over full time at quarterback down the stretch of the season. He is a great athlete, to be sure, but great athletes do not necessarily make great quarterbacks. Being a great quarterback is about good decision making, and playing within your team. He’s never really been great at either. They should have stuck with Jarrett Lee, who had performed pretty well during the early part of the season, and let the cards fall where they may.

The other thing I neglected to take into account was the coaching mismatch. Les Miles has proven to be a better coach than I’ve given him credit for, but he is certainly no Nick Saban. Yes, he has built on the recruiting machine that Saban left when he went to Miami, but his game day coaching is quite simply, lacking. Saban and his staff thoroughly outcoached Miles. Even the great John Chavis’ defense could not hold up with an offense that inept.

LSU is a supremely talented team, and the Tigers and Tide will likely play another classic next year in Baton Rouge. However, when the proverbial bullets start flying, I’m glad we’ve got Nick.

The poisoning of the 130 year old oaks at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn, Alabama was terrible for any number of reasons. As you can tell by the tag cloud in the sidebar, I am a big Alabama fan. However, there is nothing about this that has anything to do with what school you pull for. In fact, I find this to be an affront to what makes college football so great: the traditions.

You know, the night games in Baton Rouge, the Denny Chimes in Tuscaloosa and yes, the rolling of Toomer’s Corner in Auburn. These are examples of what make college football unique to any sport the world over. Once we desecrate one of these traditions, we desecrate them all. Because, really, if you get so riled up at the joy of a rival, you’ve lost perspective.

I’ll admit, ‘Bama’s come-from-ahead loss in the 2010 Iron Bowl was devastating. Even as the Tide demolished Michigan State, I was still smarting from the loss to Auburn. However, this sad episode has helped me put that into perspective. At no point should we be so affected by our team losing, that we’re willing to betray what’s best about us. Those we pull against are still our brothers, sisters and friends.

You could easily make this very same argument for politics, religion or any other “team” of which we are a part. So, let’s make this a wake up call. Albeit, a painful one. Let’s enjoy college football, life, whatever…but, let’s definitely enjoy it.

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted, so I thought I’d post this great video of Lamar Thomas of the Miami Hurricanes being pwned by George Teague of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl.

Ok. I know that Nick Saban is not the most beloved man in most of the country. However, let’s be honest, if you’re an University of Alabama fan, he’s the best thing since Bear Bryant. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to seeing this documentary.

Nick Saban : Gamechanger from Flashlight Media Group on Vimeo.

Here’s another magnificent video made by the UA Athletic Department. It’s a highlight video of the National Championship game. Enjoy!

As is usual following any championship season, the Alabama Crimson Tide got their traditional visit with the President of the United States. Ivan Maisel wrote a great article chronicling the whole experience. The President even offered up a “Roll Tide!”

As the President told the team, spring practice is right around the corner. 2009 is over. It’s time to win another championship!

Since November, Alabama has been on the cover of SI 3 times. Here is a gallery of the covers.

There has been some talk about Alabama’s championship having lost some of its luster because Colt McCoy was injured. Mack Brown said as much. Many of the national commentators have also suggested it. I completely disagree. Of course I’m biased. I’ve been a Tide fan my entire life. My dad grew up in Tuscaloosa, so I come by it naturally.

Injuries are a part of football. They happen to even the best teams and players. Asking “what if?” is an exercise in futility. Alabama played good, physical football and won the game. I have great respect for Texas and Colt McCoy, but on January 7, they weren’t as physical as Alabama. That is why they lost the game.

This championship will be just as sweet as all the others.

Finally, after a 17 year wait, ‘Bama wins another National Championship. Despite what anyone says in reference to the McCoy injury, the Tide earned this one. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was exhilarating. I’d say Nick Saban is a bargain right about now.

Next year should be interesting, because, despite losing some key players, most of the core is back. I look to see them right back in the thick of the championship hunt.

Mark Ingram has won Alabama’s first Heisman trophy. Most folks may not get what this means for Alabama fans. Yes, it is an individual award. Yes, Alabama prides itself on championships, not Heismans. But, look back at the abyss where Alabama found itself in the early parts of this decade. To make it back not just to prominence, but to relevance, has been a joy to behold. Nick Saban has seemingly outperformed his huge contract. Ingram seems to have a terrific head on his shoulders. He deserves this.

In one final nod to Alabama’s domination of Florida last weekend in the SEC championship, here’s a great clip put together by UA’s athletic department. Enjoy!

UPDATE (12/25/09): For some reason, the university has removed this video. That’s too bad, as it was really cool.

UPDATE (1/17/10): I found another user who had the video up.

I’m thrilled to talk about my beloved Tide’s dominance of Florida yesterday. After years of bungling the hiring of it’s football coaches, UA finally got it right with Nick Saban. I’d have to say, however, that most Tide fans had a sense this would happen when Saban was hired. Although, no one could have predicted it happening in only 3 years. Saban was the perfect person to unify the fractured power structure at Alabama.

Now it is off to Pasadena to play Texas for the national championship. It’s been a long time coming.

Well, the inevitable occurred. Alabama beat MSU. Before the game, I caught some video of an MSU fan giving Bama the one way sign.

Wow! That’s one great edjumacation they get down in Starkville.

Alabama defeated LSU for the second consecutive season yesterday. This picture of Julio Jones streaking down the sidelines says it all. Hopefully it says we’re going for another national championship.

Terrence “Mount” Cody saved Alabama’s season (& my heart) yesterday with 2 fourth quarter field goal blocks. Tennessee’s interior line simply could not block Cody and his 355 pound frame. Hopefully, ‘Bama won’t need heroics like this every week to win. I’m not sure if I can take it.