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The 7 Best Championship Games in Alabama Football History

By Charles Evans

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Cyrus Jones (5) reacts with teammates after an interception during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Cyrus Jones (5) reacts with teammates after an interception during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide dancers cheer after a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans in the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide dancers cheer after a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans in the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Revisit some of Alabama Football’s greatest national championship games as we prepare for the matchup between #2 Alabama and #1 Clemson.

Bama fans are lucky. Some fanbases dream of their team someday winning a title, and many have one season of glory that they remember. But we’ve got so many that sometimes it’s hard to choose favorites. Here are our 7 favorites.

2009 BCS National Championship

Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide got their revenge on Tim Tebow and the Gators and rolled through to Pasadena for a matchup with the Texas Longhorns. Texas had narrowly escaped Nebraska in the Big-12 Championship Game.

Alabama won the toss and took the ball, but was held to a three-and-out and was forced to punt. On the fake punt attempt, PJ Fitzgerald was intercepted. Texas took the ball and started the possession strong, but the biggest hit of the game came on a run by Colt McCoy. Marcell Dareus hit McCoy and pinched a nerve in his shoulder, knocking McCoy out of the game.

Texas managed a field goal on their first possession, then recovered their own kickoff and put together another field goal drive. The two field goals would be the only points of the first half for the Longhorns.

On the first play of the second quarter, Mark Ingram scored on a 2-yard run to give the Tide a 7-6 lead. Bama would lead the rest of the way. Trent Richardson added on in the second quarter with an explosive 49-yard touchdown run.

The Longhorns got the ball back down 14-6. After a pick by Javier Arenas and a Leigh Tiffin field goal to put the Tide up 17-6, Texas got the ball back with less than 30 seconds left in the first half. True freshman Garrett Gilbert, in for the injured McCoy, threw a shovel pass with 12 seconds to go that was intercepted by Marcell Dareus and returned for a touchdown. The extra point gave Alabama a 24-6 halftime lead.

Receiver Jordan Shipley had success in the second half and tried to get Texas back in the game, but after bringing the score within 3 in the 4th quarter, the Tide had two late touchdowns to finish the 37-21 victory and seal a thirteenth national championship.

After the game, Texas fans and many media personalities discussed what could’ve been if Colt hadn’t been hurt. If you know any Texas fans, it’s probably a refrain you’ve heard at least once.

This was Nick Saban’s first national championship at Alabama, bringing the Tide back into the national spotlight for the first time in almost two decades.

Next: 1961 Championship Season

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