I apologize for posting the next write-up so soon after the last one, but I wanted to get the bitter taste of that ending out of my mouth and write about a triumphant climax as soon as possible. And what could be more triumphant than the climax to the 2017 Alabama Crimson Tide football season? After losing to a Top 10 Auburn squad in the final game of the regular season, events played out in those final two weeks that allowed Alabama to sneak into the College Football Playoffs with a chance to redeem themselves. What happened next is among the most legendary moments in the history of the Crimson Tide.

On a more personal note, this season was meaningful for me as it brought some much-needed light in a world of darkness. I was stuck in a place in my life that I absolutely hated, suffering from anxiety and depression. To top it all off, my dad had been diagnosed with Leukemia that spring so for Alabama to finish off what was perhaps the worst year in my life with a national championship was definitely a welcome change of pace.

2017 Alabama Crimson Tide

Overall Record: 13 wins, 1 loss
SEC Record: 7 wins, 1 loss (2nd in SEC West)
AP Poll Finish: #1
Coaches Poll Finish: #1

Offensive Coordinator: Brian Daboll
Defensive Coordinator: Jeremy Pruitt
Permanent Captains: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Rashaan Evans, Shaun Dion Hamilton, and Bradley Bozeman
Consensus 1st Team All-Americans: Minkah Fitzpatrick (S)
1st Team All-SEC: Calvin Ridley (WR), Bradley Bozeman (C), Ross Pierschbacher (G), Jonah Williams (T), Daron Payne (DT), Raekwon Davis (DT), Rashaan Evans (LB), Minkah Fitzpatrick (S), and J.K. Scott (P)

Total Offense: 444.1 YPG (#29)
Total Defense: 260.4 YPG (#1)
Average Talent Ranking on Roster: #1.25 (Per Rivals)

Schedule

vs. #3 Florida State (W) 24-7 [Atlanta, GA]
vs. Fresno Sate (W) 41-10
vs. Colorado State (W) 41-23
@ Vanderbilt (W) 59-0
vs. Ole Miss (W) 66-3
@ Texas A&M (W) 27-19
vs. Arkansas (W) 41-9 [Homecoming]
vs. Tennessee (W) 45-7
vs. #19 LSU (W) 24-10
@ #16 Mississippi State (W) 31-24
vs. Mercer (W) 56-0 [Senior Day]
@ #6 Auburn (L) 14-26
vs. #1 Clemson (W) 24-6 [2018 Sugar Bowl]
vs. #3 Georgia (W) 26-23 [OT] [2018 CFP National Championship Game]

Leading Passer
Jalen Hurts
154-255 60.4 Pct 2,081 Yds 17 TDs 1 INT

Leading Rusher
Damien Harris
135 Att 1,000 Yds 7.4 Avg 11 TDs

Leading Receiver
Calvin Ridley
63 Rec 967 Yds 15.3 Avg 5 TDs

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Posted by Funky Tide 8

Tittleman's Crest

Member since Feb 2009

52743 posts

Posted on 4/29/24 at 6:25 pm to RollTide1987

Man, that was an interesting season on this board.

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Posted by CrimsonCrusade

Member since Jan 2014

5155 posts

Posted on 4/29/24 at 9:31 pm to RollTide1987

As annoying as the Auburn loss was, it probably helped this team in the long term. They were in such terrible shape injury wise that I think missing the SEC championship was needed to get them healed up.

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Posted by remaster916

Alabama

Member since Oct 2012

12228 posts

Posted on 4/30/24 at 6:34 am to CrimsonCrusade

Injuries cost Alabama so many championships.

What would have happened if Alabama was fully healthy in 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22?

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Posted by CrimsonCrusade

Member since Jan 2014

5155 posts

Posted on 4/30/24 at 8:02 am to remaster916

They definitely win in 2016 and 2021 with fewer injuries. The others I don't personally feel that injuries were the main problem. The headlining injury in 2022 was to Young but he was still carrying that team despite it. The worst problem that year and really in 2019 too was whatever traumatic brain injury Pete Golding must have suffered as an infant.

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Posted by Diego Ricardo

Alabama

Member since Dec 2020

5946 posts

Posted on 4/30/24 at 9:56 am to RollTide1987

This was an odd season for a championship team. Never felt like the team reached its potential in the regular season due to injuries on defense and sophomore slump from Hurts. It culminated in a offensive meltdown and defensive assignment miscues that led to a loss to Auburn. This could have kept Alabama from reaching any of their championship potential and did deny an SEC title...but the CFP committee worked out for Alabama. The postseason featured a defensive dismantling of Clemson and an all-timer second half comeback with the backup QB against Georgia.

I've wondered if starting Tua in October could have gotten this team to 15-0 but I've concluded - after seeing Tua's career injury problems - that cracking the seal in the final 30 minutes of the season was probably the only reason he made it to the CFPCG in good health.

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