re: Bama dynasty is over

Oklahoma, being located just west of the SEC, will help Alabama maintain hegemony in the SEC West as long as OU is at least relevant (winning at least 10 games a year). This will eventually help OU and Bama split up recruits in the states between Alabama and Oklahoma at the expense of other SEC West programs.

Yes, Phillips got away, but LSU will still never get past Bama. OU and Bama could team up in a co-op to diminish LSU and make Bama the sole hegemonic program in the West even post-Saban. Blue Bloods of college football can make stuff like this happen, because Bama doesn't want the Johnny Come Latelys of college football threatening its dominance in the Bama Conference.

OU is loaded for 2017, and Alabama just has to beat LSU every year to diminish any competition in recruiting in the region. OU is pulling hard for Bama to remain dominant in the SEC.