Leather Helmets
The Rose Bowl That Changed the SouthAlabama wasn't the Rose Bowl's first choice. Down 12–0 at halftime in Pasadena, the Crimson Tide gave the whole South something to brag about.Frank Thomas and the Notre Dame BoxBetween Wallace Wade and Bear Bryant came a Notre Dame quarterback who won two national titles, two Rose Bowls and 115 games, and gets remembered least of the three.
The Bryant Years
Mama CalledBear Bryant had a winner at Texas A&M. Alabama had won four games in three years. Here's why he came home anyway.The Goal Line StandNo. 1 Penn State had first down at the Alabama 19 and seven minutes to tie the Sugar Bowl. Four downs later, it was still a foot short.315Bear Bryant needed one more win to pass Amos Alonzo Stagg as the winningest coach in college football. The schedule handed him Auburn.The Wishbone SwitchAfter two mediocre seasons, people said the game had passed Bear Bryant by. He spent the summer of 1971 learning a new offense in secret.
Between Dynasties
The Saban Era
The Process BeginsNick Saban's first Alabama team lost four straight in November, including one to Louisiana-Monroe at home. Two years later, Alabama was national champion.The Game of the Century RematchLSU beat Alabama 9–6 in the Game of the Century. Two months later, LSU didn't score at all.2nd and 26Down 13–0 at halftime of the national championship, Nick Saban turned to a freshman quarterback who had barely played. Then came one throw in overtime.Four HeismansFor 74 years Alabama won titles without a Heisman Trophy. Then it won four in 13 seasons: a running back, a bigger running back, a receiver and a quarterback.The Rocky BlockUnbeaten Alabama couldn't find the end zone, Tennessee had the last kick, and a 354-pound nose tackle got a hand on it.