re: Bama's "dynasty" was nearly a 10-3 team

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It was a rebuilding year and Bama still won the national championship. Yes, they are that far ahead of everybody.

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2012 Alabama was a better team than 2010 Alabama.

That being said, the schedule was very helpful to Alabama this year, and could be the difference between those two seasons. If either LSU or aTm swap schedules with Alabama this year, they could have easily won the West.

Many Alabama fans acknowledged this before the season. They are that ahead of everyone else in terms of results. But as Nick Saban says, it isn't always result-oriented. In reality, they weren't THAT far ahead of anyone else in the SEC this season. Five SEC teams could have beaten them at least 3 out of 10 times. I'm still not sure who the best team in the SEC was this season.

But yes, in terms of championship results, they are a good bit ahead (not really debatable). But in reality, it's still the SEC. Each year there are always a few teams that were just a few yards, seconds, or plays away from winning the conference. And, in my opinion, you have to be somewhat fortunate a lot of the time to win a national title under our current system. Florida in 2006, LSU in 2007, Alabama in 2011 and 2012... All were pretty fortunate to even get into the title game.

Next year, there are 4 or 5 teams from the SEC who have a legitimate shot to win the conference, depending on if you count LSU and Georgia in that number (both lost a ton, and they have to play each other). If I had to guess, I'd pick Alabama. But that has way more to do with their easier schedule than them being better than anyone else.

Still, I'm very excited for next year. Alabama/aTm early in the season SHOULD decide the West. But if aTm beats y'all, we'll bail you out later in the season when we beat them in Death Valley. Don't worry.