Ranking the 30 Greatest National Championship Games
By Zach Bigalke
29. 1993 Sugar Bowl
#2 Alabama d. #1 Miami 34-13
BEFORE THE GAME
Split national championships in 1990 (Colorado and Georgia Tech) and 1991 (Miami and Washington) inspired the formation of the Bowl Coalition beginning in the 1992-1993 season. The union of the Big 8, SWC, SEC, ACC, and Big East along with independent Notre Dame was formed in hopes that two of their teams would finish in the top two spots of the polls each year. There was a risk that there could still be a split championship due to the fact that the Big Ten and Pac-10 were still contractually linked to the Rose Bowl and would not join the Coalition.
The first season was a success, as Big Ten champ Michigan and Pac-10 champ Washington had only 17 wins combined. (Michigan was 8-0-3 after ties against Notre Dame, Illinois, and Ohio State. The Huskies had lost to Arizona and Washington State.) Thus the Coalition was able to match up number-one Miami out of the Big East against second-ranked SEC champion Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Both teams were undefeated, with the Crimson Tide having played a 12th game in the inaugural SEC championship game. Miami had won the AP national championship the year before after a perfect 12-0 season. They featured Heisman-winning quarterback Gino Torretta and an offense that averaged 32.4 points per game heading into the Sugar Bowl. Alabama was given little chance as the Hurricanes seemed destined to extend their winning streak to 30 games dating back to the 1990-1991 season.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Instead of the Miami blowout that most expected, a Tide defense that had held opponents to 9.1 points per game en route to the SEC title kept Miami’s offense in check. Torretta threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The Hurricanes managed just 48 rushing yards and added another fumble, ending the game with 12 fewer minutes of possession. Gene Stallings coached his team to grind out the clock, and that’s exactly what they did.
Alabama threw for just 18 yards as quarterback Jay Barker completed 4-of-13 with two interceptions of his own. The Tide won the national championship on the ground, punishing Miami’s front seven by rushing the ball 60 times for 267 yards. Lead back Derrick Lassic finished with 28 carries for 135 yards and two scores. The three-touchdown blowout is one of just eight times that a definitive title-game matchup has been won by at least 20 points.