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Grantland.com on 1978 season/1979 Sugar Bowl
Posted on 6/18/13 at 10:43 am
Posted on 6/18/13 at 10:43 am
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I have always felt that the epic nature of the 1979 Sugar Bowl has clouded the split nature of this particular National Championship for Alabama. Everyone remembers the '79 Sugar Bowl whereas the '79 Rose Bowl was just another bowl game. I also wonder how much of an effect Alabama backing up their 1978 championship season with a title the next season had on solidifying them as the accepted champions of 1978.
On the other hand, it would have been pretty hypocritical for the AP to award the NC to USC because the very same logic that they used to give the title to Notre Dame the prior year dictated a title for Alabama.
Can you imagine if this scenario had happened 25 years later, where Alabama is awarded the title over USC despite losing the head to head that very season? ESPN just might have self destructed on a massive overload of outrage.
I have always felt that the epic nature of the 1979 Sugar Bowl has clouded the split nature of this particular National Championship for Alabama. Everyone remembers the '79 Sugar Bowl whereas the '79 Rose Bowl was just another bowl game. I also wonder how much of an effect Alabama backing up their 1978 championship season with a title the next season had on solidifying them as the accepted champions of 1978.
On the other hand, it would have been pretty hypocritical for the AP to award the NC to USC because the very same logic that they used to give the title to Notre Dame the prior year dictated a title for Alabama.
Can you imagine if this scenario had happened 25 years later, where Alabama is awarded the title over USC despite losing the head to head that very season? ESPN just might have self destructed on a massive overload of outrage.
10
Posted on 6/18/13 at 10:46 am to sbrian3915
Wasn't born yet.
Posted on 6/18/13 at 10:52 am to sbrian3915
Alabama did lose to USC, but USC lost to unranked Arizona State.
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:01 am to sbrian3915
1966 Bama finished as the only undefeated, untied team.
ND played for a tie and the AP gave them the title.
ND played for a tie and the AP gave them the title.
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:02 am to CapstoneGrad06
Dear Author:
SANDUSKY.
Sincerely, the 1979 National Champions.
SANDUSKY.
Sincerely, the 1979 National Champions.
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:07 am to sbrian3915
Meh...in 1983 Auburn won the Sugar Bowl ranked #3...#1 and #2 lost but AU wasn't awarded thier trophy.
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:10 am to Crimson Legend
1977 Bama beat Ole Miss by 20 Notre Dame lost to Ole Miss 20-13 yet ND rose from 12th to first even though Bamas only loss was at Nebraska 31-24 with 5 turnovers. Bama also playd USC and a top 20 Mizzou OOC .
Shafted 77 and 66
Shafted 77 and 66
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:10 am to Crimson Legend
quote:
Dear Author:
SANDUSKY.
Sincerely, the 1979 National Champions.
If you get to use this, then UGA does too for the '83 Sugar. frickin' Todd Blackledge...
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:11 am to parkjas2001
quote:
1983 Auburn won the Sugar Bowl ranked #3
1984
UGA played the 81, 82, and 83 Sugar Bowls
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:12 am to tylerdurden24
I go by seasons...as does the trophy
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:18 am to genro
quote:
1966 Bama finished as the only undefeated, untied team.
ND played for a tie and the AP gave them the title.
Oh, so finishing undefeated and untied matters for '66...
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:19 am to DaleDenton
quote:
Oh, so finishing undefeated and untied matters for '66...
10 more pages
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:36 am to sbrian3915
Alabama won the AP national championship in 1978 and 1979. People just gonna have to deal with it.Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:40 am to genro
quote:
ND played for a tie and the AP gave them the title.
Didn't play in a Bowl game either, while Bama blasted Nebraska. That's why I claim the 1973 title.
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:42 am to DaleDenton
quote:No actually it doesn't. Bama doesn't claim it.
Oh, so finishing undefeated and untied matters for '66...
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:45 am to sbrian3915
Actually, the best team in 1978 may have been Oklahoma.
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:48 am to Beer Bryant
quote:
Didn't play in a Bowl game either, while Bama blasted Nebraska. That's why I claim the 1973 title.
So... when Bama is blasted in a bowl game by a team that the only untied, unbeaten team blasted... Bama still claims a title.
Nice double standard you guys have going on there.
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:48 am to genro
quote:
ND played for a tie and the AP gave them the title.
yes, but that tie was against the #2 team.
case closed.
This post was edited on 6/18/13 at 11:49 am
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:52 am to DaleDenton
ONLY UNDEFEATED TEAM IN THE REGULAR SEASON ....NO POLLS TAKEN AFTER THE BOWLS IN 1966......HELLO , IS ANYBODY OUT THERE ?
DAMN
DAMN
Posted on 6/18/13 at 11:52 am to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
Alabama did lose to USC, but USC lost to unranked Arizona State.
That argument worked in 1978. If the same thing had happened in 2008 for a slot in the BCS Championship Game, the screaming would be so loud it could be heard from Pluto.
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