As the calendar page turns to August, the thoughts of sports fans across the country turn to College Football.
And,
why not. With the scandals rocking pretty much every other sport –
College Football stands out for its good, clean competition. It’s
epitomizes what sports should be all about.
Of course, the
various National Polls are coming out with their opinions of who is the
Number 1 college football team in the land. And that controversial
issue will be debated around thousands of water coolers for the next
five months at least.
Before we get into the frenzy of the
college football season (I can’t wait), this might be a good time to
take a step back and dispassionately explore the topic of which was the
best college football team in history.
Certainly, which was the
best team ever is a debatable issue. But, as an SEC fan, I have a
strong opinion. And, I think the answer is easy:
The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide was the best college football team ever.
The
team was led by the legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Of course the
“Bear” ultimately became, perhaps, the best college football coach
ever. Among many accomplishments, his teams won fifteen Southeastern
Conference (SEC) championships and six National Championships.
But,
his 1961 team was the first. Five more National Championship teams
would follow in its footsteps. But, the 1961 team blazed the trail for
the rest.
The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide went an undefeated (11-0)
and was crowned the undisputed National Champion. With the numerous
national polls, at the time, it was very unusual to finish the season
as the “undisputed” National Champ. The ’61 Crimson Tide did it.
But,
the really amazing thing about that team was its defense. It outscored
its opponents 297 – 25! No one scored more than 7 points against the
’61 Crimson Tide defense and, in fact, six opponents failed to score at
all. They beat Tennessee 34-3 and ended the season by beating Arkansas
10-3 in the Sugar Bowl.
The team was led by offensive lineman
Billy Neighbors and linebacker Lee Roy Jordan (both in the College
Football Hall of Fame); as well as QB Pat Trammell (Heisman Trophy
finalist).
Considering the legend of Bear Bryant; the undefeated
record; the undisputed national championship; the amazing defense; the
fact they were “the first” in a long line of Alabama champions – it’s
easy to see why the 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide was the best team in
college football history.
See you at the water cooler.
Subscribe to this comment's feed