Sweet Home Alabama

Just 10 months after the deadly tornado ripped through the city of Tuscaloosa, killing about 250 people, the Crimson Tide are National Champions. The win could not be more sweet for Nick Saban who avenged the team's only loss of the season against his former team, the LSU Tigers. The Championship is the 2nd for Saban in the last three years, after defeating Texas in the 2010 National Title Game. Not only did Saban and the Tide endure tragedy, but also the loss of leadership on the field. No matter what the circumstances were for Alabama,  they fought through and climbed back to the top, and now they are National Champions.

After losing multiple players to the NFL including four 1st round draft choices, two which were picked in the Top 10, the Crimson Tide had a lot to prove heading into the beginning of the season. Alabama began the year as the #2 team in the country despite losing their starting QB, Heisman Trophy winning RB, #1 WR, and the defensive MVP of the 2010 National Championship game. The RB position would turn out fine, as Trent Richardson finished 3rd in the Heisman Trophy voting. The Crimson Tide's defense was the best ranked in the country, helping the team shut out LSU in the title game. However, the QB position remained a question. A.J McCarron and Phillip Sims began the season competing for the starting job, but after  few weeks of competition it was clear who Alabama's QB would be. McCarron's final numbers are certainly not mind blowing, but the key was that he did not turn the ball over, throwing only 5 interceptions all season. Many did not pay attention to McCarron, as Heisman candidate Trent Richardson found the end zone 24 times. However, it was McCarron who took home offensive MVP honors in the Championship Game.

The Tide won the title game in incredible fashion, becoming the first team since Minnesota in 1936 to win the title game without winning a conference title. It remains to be seen however, if the Tide will be favorites come next season. Alabama may have to endure the kind of turnover that Auburn experienced last year after winning the title when only 6 starters returned from the previous season, dropping the Tigers to 23rd to begin the season. The Crimson Tide will almost certainly lose Trent Richardson to the NFL, as he is a projected Top 10 pick, as well as juniors Dre' Kirkpatrick and Dont'a Hightower who were both All-Americans on the nation's best defense. Also on the defense, seniors Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw will depart from Tuscaloosa. Along with Richardson the offense will also lose senior WR Marquis Maze. Auburn endured a 7 win season a year after winning the title, so it is very possible that the Tide could be in for a rough year next season.