Dynasties aren’t supposed to be possible in football anymore.

Seriously. The whole point of the rules changes in college and professional football — one imposed scholarship limits, the other a salary cap and 53-man roster — has been to create more parity. Each expansion of the playoffs is supposed to create more chances for a new cast of characters to be hanging around at the end of the season.

It is strange, then, to think that the two most dominant programs in football — Alabama and the New England Patriots — have continued to remain on top even in this era. As of this writing, the Pats were preparing for an AFC Championship Game in Denver that will almost certainly send them to their seventh Super Bowl since 2000 (even if Denver somehow wins, New England has played in 10 AFC title games in that time span).

And Alabama? The Crimson Tide just wrapped up the fourth national title since 2007, with five SEC titles, six SEC West titles and 105 wins in that time frame. Bama has represented the SEC in the College Football Playoff in both seasons it has existed.

If you’re a fan of another team — or, hell, just a team that’s tired of Alabama — the bad news is that 2016 may not be the year it all comes crumbling down. In fact, the Tide is quietly getting the band back together for another run this fall.

Alabama did lose the two most NFL-ready underclassmen on its roster after its title victory over Clemson, when massive defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson joined Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry in declaring for this spring’s draft. While everyone saw what Henry did for Bama’s offense, Robinson may have been the most important individual on the team, an immovable brute who anchored the nation’s stingiest defense by simply occupying blockers and refusing to move. No one in his right mind should have expected either to return.

What was less expected, however, was the wave of supporting players who quickly declared their intention to come back for 2016.

https://twitter.com/JaYbOi225/status/687413480501186561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The departures are not insignificant, on either side of the ball. In addition to Robinson’s early entry, Alabama must also replace defensive captain Reggie Ragland, and Cyrus Jones, the best cover corner on the squad. And that’s just on defense — on offense, Alabama must replace Henry, Kenyan Drake, quarterback Jake Coker and center Ryan Kelly.

Still, the pool in Tuscaloosa remains deep. Alabama started freshmen defensive backs (Minkah Fitzpatrick, Marlon Humphrey and Ronnie Harrison) in 2015, as well as enjoying a breakout season from freshman wideout Calvin Ridley on offense. It’s probably also worth noting that Ridley and sophomore ArDarius Stewart — the two primary targets in ’15 — thrived despite the absence of Robert Foster (who injured his shoulder) and Cam Sims (who never fully recovered from an ACL injury), both of whom (as of now, anyway) will be back this fall.

The challengers to Alabama’s throne will be plentiful. The Tide has trips to Oxford, Fayetteville, Knoxville and Baton Rouge all on the slate this fall.

Don’t be surprised, though, if you look up in November and see Bama right back at the top of the division, conference and playoff discussion.

It’s kind of the norm these days.