Comparing College Football Programs to Families from Game of Thrones
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (27) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first quarter of the 2015 Sugar Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
House Lannister = House Alabama
“Make it Run Crimson”
Throughout history, the Lannisters have always had the cunning and the resources to find their way into power. They’ve been atop the Iron Throne for some time now, although their reign has not been without peril. Now, cracks have started to appear within this strong family, and their place at the top does not seem so assured. The Lannisters are going to need a new strategy as well as new moves to make if they want to maintain the crown.
Alabama enjoyed nearly unquestioned dominance for a good stretch of time just before the BCS ended. There may have been the occasional threat from another team from the SEC, rising up to challenge them and sometimes (though not often) scoring the rare victory. But to the rest of the college football world, Alabama projected itself as a force, grooming and sending out strong figures like Amari Cooper, A.J. McCarron, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Mark Ingram, and Eddie Lacy to make their own places in the professional realm; they each continue to bring Alabama honor and renown with each feat they achieve.
Recently, however, Alabama has started to slip and concede. Last year, many people expected them to easily power through the four-team playoff and place themselves in position again for another national championship, but they didn’t make it past their first playoff game against Ohio State. (For some reason, here I keep imagining Cersei Lannister’s face when she catches Margaery Tyrell with one of her sons as the perfect metaphor for this situation.)
Now the question remains, will Alabama be able to restore themselves to greatness or is their decline imminent? This just so happens to parallel the question we have for the Lannisters as well.
Next: House Tyrell as Ohio State