Alabama Football History is Overrated

by Dan
(Florida)

I disagree. I believe Notre Dame is the best. For starters, Notre Dame, not Alabama, can legitimately lay claim to the most national championships (most sources attribute Notre Dame with the most). Notre Dame is typically attributed with 13 consensus national championships and can possibly lay claim to 2 more, while Alabama is given 10.

Moreover, Notre Dame has the second highest winning percentage of all time, is tied with USC for most Heismann winners, has the most players and coaches in the college football hall of fame (42), and the most All-Americans (178).

In terms of win percentage among coaches, the coaches with the highest and second highest win percentage both coached at Notre Dame (Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy). Notre Dame is second to USC in terms of players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

How is the Alabama-Auburn rivalry the greatest rivalry? It certainly is not greater the Ohio State-Michigan. I understand the Notre Dame-USC is viewed as being as great as Ohio State-Michigan, but there are more national championships between the two schools than any other rivalry (22).

Alabama and Auburn only have 11 between the two schools. Moreover, the Notre Dame-USC rivalry accounts for some of the most viewed games in history, in terms of tv ratings.

Its hard to say that Alabama has an unmatched football tradition. I'm sure Alabama has a great tradition, but I believe it is matched by Notre Dame.

Although I will admit that Notre Dame's bowl record stinks, but this is due mainly to the fact that the football program hasn't been so hot recently and hasn't won a bowl game since 93. (Alabama hasn't been too great recently either)

Alabama has NO Heisman winners. Not a sign of the greatest program. Moreover, Alabama CANNOT lay claim to a national title in 73. They lost the Sugar Bowl to Notre Dame. They lost the Orange Bowl in 1964. How can a program claim titles in seasons in which they lost their bowl game?

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Oct 03, 2008
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Alabama vs Notre Dame
by: Josh

I can agree on some things that Notre Dame may claim rights to over Alabama, but as far as anyone saying the Alabama/Auburn game aka "Iron Bowl" is not the greatest rivalry, then they should think again.

I don't care how many national championships Ohio St. and Michigan divide. They do not divide an ENTIRE STATE! This game is talked about every day of the year!

How often does a Michigan fan have to put up with a Ohio St. fan through the year? Or vice versa? Yeah maybe some here and there, but not in every town or city in the entire state! Nor in Ohio.

In every town, city, office, shcool, business, there is Alabama and Auburn fans talking of the much anticipated Iron Bowl game in November. So, does this happen in Michigan or Ohio? NO WAY!!

Oct 13, 2008
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Heisman doesn't mean much
by: Anonymous

WHO CARES ABOUT THE HEISMAN!

Most of the guys end up sucking in the NFL anyways so it doesn't really mean much.
Just to show you how little it means here is a top 10 list of College players put in the NFL Hall of Fame:

Southern California (11)
Notre Dame (10)
Michigan (7)
Alabama (6)
Illinois (6)
Minnesota (6)
Ohio State (6)
Oregon (6)
Syracuse (6)
Penn State (5)

Look the team with ZERO Heismans is in 4th...amazing.

Nov 15, 2008
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Tired of Bama Bashers
by: abrellbama

I am tired of sportswriters and bama haters saying that Al. is overrated. Al knows how to get the job done. As for Heisman Trophy Winners, now those are way overrated. The '92 game was a prime example. Miami's quarterback looked like a high school player in that game, no heisman trophy winner. Everyone knows that Bama does not push the heisman. We have had such great atheletes as Joe Namath, Kenny Stabler, Cornelius Bennett, etc. None of them won the heisman but they were the best players in their time. It takes a team to win and lose games, not one person. The history books show us with 12 NC but we should have been NC at least 15 times, so your ND-USC theory is bashed. Bama never gets the respect they deserve, but that is OK. We get the titles instead.

Jun 06, 2009
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Alabama OVERRATER
by: The Dog Barketh

I moved to Alabama 12 years ago. 90% of the Alabama fans know nothing about college football. Most of them could not name 5 starters on the team. Alabama football is TRAILER TRASH! The only thing they have more of than any other team in the country is CHEATING VIOLATIONS. Nobody wants to coach there thats why they had to give Saban all that money.

I'm not an Auburn fan but when they play each other I say War Dam Eagle. My favorite team in college football is anybody that plays Alabama. Alabama just wishes they would have ever had a coach like Knute Rockne, Bobby Bowden, Woody Hayes or Joe Paterno because Bryant was not in their league.

Jun 29, 2009
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Best FootBall Teams 1869-2008
by: Bama Football Fan

The Top 5 Best Football Teams in the history of the game below.

Rank Program Won Lost Tied Rating
1 Notre Dame 831 284 42 266.909
2 Michigan 872 295 36 263.617
3 Ohio State 808 306 53 261.411
4 Alabama 807 307 44 260.957
5 Southern Cal 765 303 54 258.083

The above record speaks for itself. All the Teams in the above list are College Football's Elite. None are Overrated the above Programs are where the other Schools want to be but never will it takes Tradition and Class.

Jun 30, 2009
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The Dog Barketh
by: Anonymous

Your an Idiot! Bobby Bowden! Come on the FSU Alumni is trying to run him outta town? Coach Bryant could of had his playbook on a buisness card to beat Bobby Bowden? And since you dont know anything about football, Alabama is where Bobby Bowden dreamed of coaching..... Your just another BAMA HATER, ROLL TIDE!!

Jul 02, 2009
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Dan's a moron
by: Alan

Alabama can't claim 1964? Why? Did the AP try to take it away? No.

Oklahoma claims 1950, but Oklahoma lost its bowl game in 1950 to Bear Bryant's 11-1 Kenucky team. I don't see you arguing about that one!!!!!!!

In 1966 Notre Dame went 9-0-1 and played for a tie instead of a win. Alabama, the preseason #1, went 11-0 and crushed Nebraska 34-7 in a bowl? Why aren't you arguing for that one, either????

USC claims 1939, but USC went 8-0-2. Truth is you just don't like Alabama. Get over it.

Jul 31, 2009
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"Dan from Flori-DUHH"
by: Anonymous

First off let me just say hats off to them gators.

Now back to buisness RRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOLLLLLL
TTTTTTIIIIIIIDDDDDDDEEEEE RRRRRRROOOOOOOLLLLLL!!!
While I enjoy A good debate every now and then,
I think you can roll out back to the swamp and shut up. I do slightly agree with you that Notre Dame is a little ahead of U A as we have lost to them 5 times out of 6. But U S C is the most overated team there is and Ill say it right now
U S C sucks!!We hold the record there 5 to 2.

Second,I love all college football, but If you don't think that the SEC has the Best Conference
just remember we are third in the nation for national titles.No hard feelings ,just one FOOTBALL fan to another. ROLL TIDE!!!!!!

Aug 25, 2009
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one big problem
by: Anonymous

The one thing that stood out is how many people (in alabama) actually think anyone cares about the alabama - auburn rivalry. Why is it the best? It divides a state? Who cares? Although alabama has a good program no one has ever accused auburn of being an elite program. Just because theyre close doesn't make it any better than kansas-kansas st., Miss. st.-ole miss, or usc-ucla! You don't hear them screaming best rivalry.

Best rivalry means for the longest time the winner of the game either won a title, or won a shot at the title. Only 3 qualify. Ohio St.-Michigan, Nebraska-Oklahoma, and USC-Notre Dame. Truth is, the best rivalry in the SEC is Florida Georgia.

Aug 29, 2009
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Perspective on the greatness of the rivalry
by: Anonymous

I attended the U of A in the early/mid 80's (during the Cornelius Bennet, Mike Shula, Dan Perkins years). What I see missing from the talk of the Alabama/Auburn rivalry is the level of hate it embodies. And it's year-long, not just on game day. This rivalry pops up continuously when you're in public in Alabama. Someone is always liable to drop a comment about it one way or the other. College football is about the only world-class thing the state can really project proudly to the rest of the country. It's deeply personal to people there. I don't think you can say that about Michigan or California, and I think it's what makes that rivalry so fierce.

Sep 06, 2009
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To the Alabama Haters
by: Chris Rolls with the Tide

First off I get so sick of people who take the time out to jump on any SEC or any page pertaining to Alabama and say "ITS A BUNCHA REDNECKS, THEY DONT KNOW THEIR FOOTBALL, BAMA SUCKS! THEY DIDNT WIN 12 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS!" Come on now. I dont care where in the country you go and what conference you watch play there is always the fans out there that act like total idiots!!

Yes I'm a huge Bama fan. Yes we do have fans that make the other fans look stupid. Thats how it is at any college. Been to many games and been around a lot of fans from opposing teams and you will notice most any have the total drunken fan that makes a total ass of themself.

Another thing this whole DEBATE about Bama not really having 12 national titles. OK SPORTS MUSEUMS i've been in even claim Alabama has 12 national championships! Next is sayin Alabama sucks. I get so sick of hearing people say that.

Either way if we were to stomp any teams ass people out there will always come up with why we won and theyll so oh well see that team had a bad season thats why. RIGHT!(BEAT DOWN IN TTOWN, 36-0) Anyways, I also hear people say well BEAR BRYANT was an idiot and an overrated coach and wish he was Lou Holtz and Bobby Bowden and so and so.

So funny how people who cant stand Alabama hate on our Tradition of keeping Paul Bear Bryant alive considering Bobby Bowden always wanted to coach at Bama and as I recall Lou Holtz once said before playing Bama all his players on his team wanted the Bears autograph and to meet him. Then I once read a few people say the Bear was a segregationist? Wow thats funny considering him and George Wallace butted heads because the Bear wanted black players on his team and Wallace didn't like that.

Bear brought black players to his team to play and a reporter asked about the black players and the Bear simply said acted as if he didnt see color. they were as much part of the team as a white player.

One last thing, look at all the Hall of Famers we made. The Heisman is great and all but seriously many Heisman winners have left college and didnt do much of anything later on in the NFL. I have respect for other colleges and conferences but just simply get sick of Bama always gettin bashed about if we WIN anything.

Sep 08, 2009
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Bear is the Greatest!
by: Roll Tide #13 in 09

To anyone who doubts the Bear's greatness....What is the name of the Coach of the Year Award in college football? I believe it is the Paul Bear Bryant Award! Named after the greatest College football coach the world has ever known...although Bowden and Jo Pa do put up a good fight.

"I'd like people to remember me as a winner, cuz i ain't never been nuthin but a winner."- Paul "Bear" Bryant

Oct 10, 2009
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army vs navy isn't considered as a great rivalry?
by: Anonymous

Roll Tide!

Um, i know you guys are all talking about these rivalries, but haven't read anything about army vs. navy. If thats not one of the great rivalries in football, i dont know what is.

Peace.

Oct 31, 2009
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Rammer Jammer
by: Anonymous

I agree with what some of the others have said. All of the top programs deserve so much respect for what they accomplished. I think data and stats only mean so much. Heisman only means so much I mean look at some of our players that have gone to the next level and shown how good they are: Bart Starr, Joe Namath etc.

I'm not surprised that we don't have a Heisman when you think about the fact that QBs get most of the love and we have predominately been a running team that used multiple backs. Also they Bear is at least one of if not the Greatest coaches of all time but I don't think we can let his shadow block out what Frank Thomas and Wallace Wade did for our Program.

I can see what that other guy was saying about fans but I know a bunch of Auburn Fans that are the same way. The problem is that Alabama is getting back to dominance and Auburn is in a decline so "Bama Fans" are coming out of the wood works and the "Aub Fans" are going dormant.

Dec 26, 2009
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Notre Dame? No sir
by: Michael

Michigan lead the NCAA in wins and winning percentage. Who cares about the NFL Hall of fame this is college! Many great NCAA player end up sucking that has nothing to do with how good an NCAA team is. Take Troy smith or Tim Teebow. Are you to say they arnt good becase the didnt or wont in the future be good? College is a different game. Alabama has a running and prostyle offense thats why its easy to say they have great NFL Players. Well Florida doesnt they have dual threat and still are constantly no. 1 in the nation and win championships.

Nov 04, 2010
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follow the best
by: Anonymous

Well bama is 2nd best in the state next to auburn in 2010. What do bama fans an maggots have in common? They both can feed off a dead bear for years. Lol. And I will add go game cocks they made bama look like they never played college football before. Cameron newton is the best college football player in history war eagle. No one can stop his greatness and auburn is 9-0. We will be playing for the nc this year. Bama is a 1 hit wonder. Tebow will never be as good as cameron newton no one will not even mark ingram he is a joke only putting up 33 rushing yards against auburn.

Nov 14, 2010
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SEC hatred
by: blit

Here's the deal, outside of the SEC college football fans have a hatred for the SEC and that includes biased networks and personalities. CBS is the worst offender. I'm NOT an Alabama fan, however, this program is the most famous and infamous in all of college football. They do tower over all other programs with their tradition. But, there is no way anybody making that argument will convince a fighting Irish fan of this. In the 70s UA permiated the culture from being mentioned in movies to being part of hit songs.

There's no doubt that the Irish have a huge and old tradition but it just doesn't sit next to the Tide's for one reason. The people down here are nuts. They've lost there freaking mind. They worship college football. They hang pictures of Bear Bryant up next to their Jesus pictures..I think they get them mixed up periodically. It's true..you do need a passport to come down here.

But the one thing that everybody orbits around is SEC football and Alabama is the center of the universe. And here's the thing..among coaches, players and athletic department insiders, The Crimson Tide are the Beatles of college football programs. And here's the other thing..they still are considered one of the best teams in the nation today. They've only had brief periods of down time. They are never down too long. The Irish can't say that. They have not been relevant for a long time. Alabama never really stopped except for a brief period in the 90s.

Consistency...that's the big difference. And that's what puts the Tide over the Irish. But like I said earlier, there's no way you'll convince The Irish of any of this.

Nov 27, 2010
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alabama is the best
by: matthew

alabama now does have a heisman trophy winner his name is mark ingram and he led us to the 2009 national championship and that gives us 13

Dec 15, 2010
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c'mon man
by: roll tide

Bama plays teams in the SEC, the toughest conference in football. Even the lower level teams are better than what ND plays. ND plays Army and Navy all the time and loses. ND will not join a conference because they are more concerned on the money they will make rather than the competition they will face.

Auburn QB Camputer Newton is a cheater and will have to give back his heisman in 2 years anyways.
We did lose to South Carolina. Watch that game, SC made 0 mistakes that game. I can't argue with that loss. Im glad Allbarn is doing well so the nation will respect the little sister in the greatest college rivalry in sports. Its too bad they will have to give it all back in a few years as Allbarn is the program with the most infractions in history. War Eagle is the dumbest story of all time. It isnt even true, at least we worship a Bear who was ALIVE and THE BEST. Roll TIDE!!!

Jan 23, 2011
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Notre Dame - USC Rivalry Best Ever -- thanks to the wives
by: Go irish

You say they divide a state(Alabama vs. Auburn) but not really, I hate both schools, but I will say bama is much more dominant than auburn.

Auburns got Bo Jackson and cam newton and a title or 2, while the NOTRE DAME vs. USC rivalry consists of more all Americans, more heisman trophies, more championships, more hall of famers, and more wins than any other rivalry, and while also being the first ever intersectional rivalry.

It's also got a great story behind it, because football didn't have much to do with it, the wives of Knute Rockne and the USC athletic director at the time got together while Notre dame was playing Nebraska in Nebraska and the wife of the USC athletic director explained that southern California would be a much nicer place to enjoy while her husband was kicking butt than Nebraska and mrs. Rockne bought into it and "forced" her husband to side with playing USC which he was originally opposed to and they've been playing ever since.

May 18, 2011
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RT
by: Anonymous

Roll Tide Roll around the bowl and down the hole

Feb 13, 2012
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overated?
by: dundee

poor boogs and slagles............bama has just won their second bcs title in 3 years.........so i say to you the haters of the world.........SCOREBOARD CHUMPS!

Aug 31, 2012
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Alabama is over Rated
by: Jim

Look at last season: Alabama wins a national championship after losing to LSU in the regular season and not winning there conference. Alabama should not have even been playing for a national championship. At the same time that Bama is choosen for the N.C. , you have a Oklahoma State team that goes 12-1 and wins their conference while doing so. Tell me, if Alabama is not over rated then how the hell did they make it to a National Championship game when OSU had the same record and won their conference? Here are the facts: Alabama has won 14 National Championships. Michigan, Notre Dame, and USC have 11. Michigan and Notre Dame have won more games overall. Michigan has appeared in more bowl games and have won more bowl games than Alabama. The Iron Bowl is a good rivalry, but it is not in the same class of rivalries as Michigan Ohio State, Notre Dame USC, or Oklahoma Texas. The Iron Bowl is in the class of games like Michigan Michigan State, Texas Texas Tech, and Michigan State USC.

Sep 02, 2012
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O.o
by: Anonymous

Looks like BAMA just made Michigan look like a high school team I just wish USC had the balls to step up and play us so we could make them look worse

Sep 22, 2012
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How those words tasting now The Dog Barketh?
by: Roll TIder

Gotta love the internet. Yeah. Your comment in June of 2009. Paterno turned out to be a real feather in your cap. Bear was a badass and legend. Saban is a winning machine and will be even more legendary than the Bear. Roll TIDE Roll!!!!!

Dec 01, 2012
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alabama
by: Anonymous

Alabama can lay claim to 18 national championships but they don't claim the other 4 given to them by the ncaa.

Dec 01, 2012
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So sad
by: Southern Belle

You know Alabama fans are proud of their school, tradition, and state. Every time I hear negative comments about Alabama there is only one thing that comes to mind: people have nothing better to do than be insolent little bigots. If you can't beat'em, join'em. But still our surrounding neighbors continue to ridicule one of the best football teams in the country. Either way I feel sorry for you, you will never be blessed with a community of people who are connected by their love for the sport and undeniable talent for the game of football. Roll Tide! :)

Dec 01, 2012
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Dan is an idiot like most from Florida
by: Anonymous

Your an idiot Dan....period!!!!

Dec 01, 2012
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Get Real!!
by: Anonymous

Alabama is not only the best team in the SEC, but also the best team in the Nation! The problem is, any idiot can get on the web and run their mouths about things they know nothing about. Notre Dame is crap, always has been and always will be, the same for Florida, where there is no tradition, Georgia and especially Auburn, where the only tradition is paying players and officials. I guess those who can't win have to get on the web and run their ignorant mouths and spout bullcrap. I feel sorry for them, it would be awful to root for a team with no tradition, no ethics, morals and can't win!!!! ROLLLL TIDE ROLLLL!!!!

Dec 09, 2012
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Alabama fans are mental midgets
by: Anonymous

Having lived 30 miles from Tuscaloosa for most of my life, I have gotten to see these pathetic creatures up close. These sad little creatures live vicariously through a bunch of young guys who will probably never know they even exist. They take the football team' s wins personally, as if they themselves scored the winning touchdown. They are known for living lackluster lives and should be pitied, not hated. The next time some simpleton with a mullet yells " Roll Tide!" At you, don't get upset. Just smile, wait on your change, and never go back to that gas station.

Jan 09, 2013
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I love Bama
by: Anonymous

I have just been reading all these ignorant comments made from "Alabama Haters" and if you are smart enough to take the time to look back you will actually see just how ignorant you sound. My God man get real. Auburn fans trying to down Alabama football shows just who are the idiots here. The very one thing that I love every time Alabama wins a National Championship...IT PISSES EVERYBODY OFF. So all of you HATERS out there can just keep on getting pissed off because we are not through yet!!!
Love the Bear,Saban and ALABAMA...ROLL TIDE ROLL

Feb 06, 2013
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i love it
by: kail serious

it is so awesome as a alabama fan to read through these post from the last 3 years. some much negativity towards our program. but then i look up 4 years later and alabama has 3 national titles and another sec title and a heisman. the proof is in the puddin, people.

thank you
and roll tide.

Oct 11, 2013
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That's right
by: Moses Denton

All people at my school is talk about great Alabama at school. Don't get me wrong Notre Dame is a pretty team. I live in the state of Georgia and because people like Alabama they dish the University of Georgia. Your not supposed to say bad things about a in state team unless there your favorite team rivals. They be like oh "Georgia sucks" and I am specicallly talking about last year. Listen, I believe that if the University of Georgia was in a different conference they could of gone to BCS National Championship. First, of all you can not say a college team sucks because in my case you have never played college football. And, besides whoin the world says that a Top 25 ranked team in the highest division of college football ranked third in the nation and won a bowl sucks? Riducolous.

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