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Added historical significance for older Bama fans
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:19 am
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:19 am
Obviously two of the best, if not the two best, programs in the history of college football playing for a national title is a big deal. However, I was wondering if there was additional significance for the Bama fans who are old enough to remember the 70's.
I consider Bryant to be the best coach in college football history, but he seemed to struggle with Notre Dame. I don't think he ever beat them, and I'm pretty sure Notre Dame beat Alabama multiple times with the national title on the line. I was wondering if that made this matchup a little more special for the older Bama fans on here. Does this championship game possibly mean a little more to you than others in the past?
I consider Bryant to be the best coach in college football history, but he seemed to struggle with Notre Dame. I don't think he ever beat them, and I'm pretty sure Notre Dame beat Alabama multiple times with the national title on the line. I was wondering if that made this matchup a little more special for the older Bama fans on here. Does this championship game possibly mean a little more to you than others in the past?
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:30 am to ohiovol
Notre Dame cost us the AP national championship in '73 and a share of the national championship in '74. Because of that, we lost the benefit of the doubt when we were title contenders in '75 and '77.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:31 am to ohiovol
quote:
but he seemed to struggle with Notre Dame.
No seeming to it. Coach Parsegian had his number. ND and Texas were his krypton. I want Bama to do unspeakable things to their team Jan 7th.

Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:32 am to RollTide1987
Also, don't forget the AP gifted ND with a National Title in '66 when they intentionally played for a tie, despite the fact that Bama finished as the only undefeated, untied team.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:36 am to ohiovol
Crimson and Clover reborn:)
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:40 am to genro
quote:
Also, don't forget the AP gifted ND with a National Title in '66 when they intentionally played for a tie, despite the fact that Bama finished as the only undefeated, untied team.
How did the AP award titles then(66'), Before or After Bowls
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:42 am to genro
quote:
Because of that, we lost the benefit of the doubt when we were title contenders in '75 and '77.
It could be the same situation with further reaching consequences for the whole SEC. If BAMA were to lose, it will put a big dent in the SEC national perception.

Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:44 am to NYCAuburn
quote:Before, but irrelevant.
How did the AP award titles then(66'), Before or After Bowls
Bama destroyed Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl. Notre Dame's Tie-One-for-the-Gipper was the second to last game of the regular season, and they didn't go to a bowl game.
This post was edited on 12/13/12 at 11:46 am
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:45 am to NYCAuburn
quote:
How did the AP award titles then(66'), Before or After Bowls
1934-1964: Before the bowl games
1965: After the bowl games
1966: Before the bowl games
1967-present: After the bowl games
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:46 am to NYCAuburn
quote:
How did the AP award titles then(66'), Before or After Bowls
If I'm not mistaken, they awarded titles before bowls but ND tied MSU in the regular season and we finished unbeaten and untied. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think I remember correctly.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:47 am to NYCAuburn
They swapped how they gave it the previous 2 yrs, because of Bama. '66 was more a political statement on civil rights issues in the South, than it was about the best team.
Notre Dame only played in one bowl game the years they won the AP's title though. They only played in one bowl game prior to 1970. The 1925 Rose Bowl. They have a 15-16 overall Bowl record. Five of their AP titles, came without them playing in a Bowl game.
Notre Dame only played in one bowl game the years they won the AP's title though. They only played in one bowl game prior to 1970. The 1925 Rose Bowl. They have a 15-16 overall Bowl record. Five of their AP titles, came without them playing in a Bowl game.
This post was edited on 12/13/12 at 11:49 am
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:49 am to Alahunter
Bama won the AP in '64 and '65. No team has ever won 3 straight AP titles.
And they didn't want Bama to be the first. What's tragic is the 1966 team was more deserving than '64 or '65.
And they didn't want Bama to be the first. What's tragic is the 1966 team was more deserving than '64 or '65.
This post was edited on 12/13/12 at 11:50 am
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:50 am to ohiovol
Well Saban took care of Bama's Texas problem. I expect him to do the same with ND.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:51 am to USMC Gators
We have beaten them once, in the 80s with Cornelius Bennett. Ray Perkins was coach.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 11:52 am to genro
quote:
And they didn't want Bama to be the first. What's tragic is the 1966 team was more deserving than '64 or '65.
Indeed. 1965 was blind luck. We were 8-1-1 and #4 going into the bowls. #1 and #2 lost in their bowl games and we ended up beating #3 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 12:07 pm to RollTide1987
It should be made clear that Notre Dame actually went for the tie. They got the ball will 1:10 left and sat on it intentionally. Michigan State, who had been trying to score (unsuccessfully) the previous possession was furious and bewildered.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 12:14 pm to ohiovol
This game is means a great deal.
...as much as a game can mean
...as much as a game can mean

This post was edited on 12/13/12 at 12:15 pm
Posted on 12/13/12 at 12:21 pm to genro
quote:
It should be made clear that Notre Dame actually went for the tie. They got the ball will 1:10 left and sat on it intentionally. Michigan State, who had been trying to score (unsuccessfully) the previous possession was furious and bewildered.
Here's the clip from that part of the game:
Final Drive
Posted on 12/13/12 at 12:25 pm to RollTide1987
Notre Dame had 4 timeouts left. Yes, four. You got that many back then. They used none. They ran the ball. 

Posted on 12/13/12 at 12:30 pm to ohiovol
They played back to back in ,I believe 73' and 74' at the Sugar then Orange.Bama went in both games ranked #1 and had basically been declared NCs already.That's what they did back then.Notre Dame under Ara Parsigian(sp) won 13-12,and 24-23.The Bear never beat Notre Dame and the Irish hold 6-1 record against Bama.Alabama did not beat Notre dame til Cornelius Bennett knocked Steve Burline(sp) cookoo.
eta:For some reason I thought Bama had beaten them twice.
eta:For some reason I thought Bama had beaten them twice.
quote:
11/14/1987 Alabama 6 - Notre Dame 37 10/4/1986 Alabama 28 - Notre Dame 10 11/15/1980 Alabama 0 - Notre Dame 7 11/13/1976 Alabama 18 - Notre Dame 21 1/1/1975 (Orange Bowl) Alabama 11 - Notre Dame 13 12/31/1973 (Sugar Bowl) Alabama 23 - Notre Dame 2
This post was edited on 12/13/12 at 12:37 pm
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