Alabama Football: 3 times the Tide dynasty was supposed to be dead

Alabama football’s dynasty was supposed to be dead in 2015.

In 2015, Alabama football lost to Ole Miss for the second straight year. After failing to reach the national championship game in 2014, the Crimson Tide were one loss away from failing to even make the College Football Playoff. That’s why their road game against the Georgia Bulldogs was a concern.

Georgia was actually favored to win this game. Due to Alabama’s early struggles in the passing game, many thought the Bulldogs defense would feast. However, this was Jake Coker’s coming out party. The stats don’t show it, but his leadership was apparent in Athens.

The defense and special teams also took over in this one. Eddie Jackson returned an interception for 50 yards for a touchdown, and Minkah Fitzpatrick helped block a punt and score a touchdown. Those two plays caused more points than the Bulldogs scored in the entire game.

This game was just a step in the road towards Alabama’s championship. They needed a miracle from Arkansas to even win their division, but it all ended up working out for the Tide. If Alabama had ended up losing to Georgia, the dynasty would at least be on life support. However, a decisive win against the Bulldogs caused a morale boost that carried fans through the season, Derrick Henry to a Heisman Trophy, and Alabama football to another national championship. The Tide would not be denied in Athens on this day.