College Football 5th Quarter: 5 thoughts on Championship, 2018-2019
5. Narratives revisited
Why not UCF?
The Alabama Crimson Tide proved why it belonged by beating the Clemson Tigers in the semifinal and the Georgia Bulldogs to win the College Football National Championship in 2017-2018. As only a 4-seed the Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs in overtime and it was an ESPN instant classic.
Pro style offense vs Alabama’s defense
Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm threw two interceptions which was the one thing he could not do for Georgia to win. Another issue is when you rely on running the ball and only run for three yards per carry you can’t beat a team like Alabama. Fromm wasn’t ready to take over a game and two interceptions to one touchdown isn’t great game management. The Dawgs gave up too many sacks to the Tide defense putting them in far too many third down and long yardage situations.
Three CFP Championship Game trips in a row for Alabama
Nick Saban, in his Crimson Tide’s third trip to the title game in a row, finished 2-1. That outshines even hall of fame coach Bobby Bowden in his 1998-2000 streak where he went 1-2. Saban cements himself as the best college football coach of all time winning the title six times overall and five times in Tuscaloosa. In the modern era that’s so hard to do with scholarship restrictions, easier access for recruiting to create parity, and with his coaching staff turnover.
Mentor vs protegé
Nick Saban may have knocked off another protegé to now sit at 12-0 all-time against his former assistants, but Georgia was far from a Kimmy Schmidt Eli Manning clone. Kirby Smart will surpass the Crimson Tide in the next two years and have the Bulldogs as the SEC’s top program.
All-SEC title game
Backlash fans and pundits looking to find something to complain about and hyperbole to spew said an all-SEC game would be bad, boring and that they wouldn’t even watch the game. Many on social media said they wouldn’t even watch. If you didn’t watch this game you made a huge mistake. The game showed athleticism, physicality, enough points were scored to keep it interesting, and it was won in overtime on a 41 yard touchdown pass.