From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down from 100 to 1 until Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 81 and what it means to UA football.
The University of Alabama football program has had a handful of dominating stretches, and the 10-year period from 1971-81 stands out as one of the most successful runs in the school's history.
So what happened to make that run so special? Let's count the ways:
Paul 'Bear' Bryant had the Tide rolling in 1981, but that season would be the last time Alabama's most legendary coach would lift a trophy before retiring in 1983.
The University of Alabama football program has had a handful of dominating stretches, and the 10-year period from 1971-81 stands out as one of the most successful runs in the school's history.
So what happened to make that run so special? Let's count the ways:
- Three national championships
- Nine conference titles
- An 11-0 record against both LSU and Tennessee
- Won 89 percent of games
- Lost just four SEC games
- Yielded 24 All-Americans and more than 40 NFL draft picks
- ... And produced the team voted the greatest in SEC history (1979)
Paul 'Bear' Bryant had the Tide rolling in 1981, but that season would be the last time Alabama's most legendary coach would lift a trophy before retiring in 1983.
Alex Scarborough | email
Reporter, TideNation- Reporter for TideNation
- Covers Alabama Crimson Tide sports and recruiting
- Joined ESPN in 2012
ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.
You must be signed in to post a comment