Alabama Football: The 30 Greatest Games in Alabama Football History

Sep 13, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al waves the Alabama flag following their 52-12 victory against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

1969, Alabama vs. Ole Miss – College Football Goes Big Time

It may seem strange to us now, but college football wasn’t always on TV. In 1969 ABC decided to take a shot at airing a college football game in primetime and the game they picked was Alabama vs. Ole Miss.

Alabama was led by the amazing QB, Scott Hunter, and Ole Miss was quarter-backed by the young Archie Manning.

College football hadn’t ever been on national TV before and the 9:00 PM start time in 1969 had some ABC executives doubting if this was a good idea. Boy, were they wrong.

The game may have gone on until midnight, but it was one heck of a game for those who tuned in.

Archie Manning was simply magnificent. Archie went 33 out of 52 for 436 yards and two touchdowns; and ran for three more touchdowns.

Hunter was no slouch either, throwing for 22 of 29 for 300 yards himself. The two quarterbacks combined for over 700 yards of passing offense in an era of running football.

Alabama got the better of Ole Miss when Hunter found George Ranager with a pass for the winning touchdown on 4th and 14.

Alabama was already a legend of college football, now that legend had been proven on national television.

Next: 1971, Alabama vs. Tennessee