Alabama football: Where does this team rank among great Nick Saban teams?
By Marq Burnett
Published:
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Joe Pannunzio can’t pick a favorite.
Pannunzio, Alabama’s running backs coach, has seen plenty of Crimson Tide championship teams during the Nick Saban era while working in an off-field administrative role and in an on-field coaching capacity.
Pannunzio was the director of football operations when Alabama repeated in 2011 and 2012. He coached the tight ends last season when Alabama pulled off its miraculous title win over Georgia.
Where does this current group fit in with the rest?
“You can’t rank ’em,” Pannunzio said. “It’s like (ranking) your own children. You love ’em all the same. Each team changes and becomes different. There was a time where we weren’t as good on offense, but we were really good on defense. But you like each team. I have three kids, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world, and I wouldn’t trade any of these teams for anything in the world.”
Pannunzio is absolutely correct. It’s hard to accurately rank teams from what are essentially completely different eras. This was a question that came up during Alabama’s 2016 run, but that group couldn’t finish the job and falls within the “what if” category.
No disrespect, but Alabama’s offense during the 2009 and 2011 seasons couldn’t keep up with Alabama’s current offense, but this defense doesn’t have the overall horses those groups had, either.
Still, there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun, because this current group has an opportunity to do something no team has done during the playoff era and something only one of Saban’s championship teams has done: go undefeated.
If Alabama wins on Monday, they would become the first team to finish the season at 15-0, putting them in a historic place of their own.
Frankly, that would be enough to make them the best team of the Nick Saban era. The 2009 team holds that place currently because they are the only team to finish undefeated under Saban, but I tend to lean toward the 2012 team. They were the most balanced from an offensive and defensive standpoint in the Saban era, in my opinion.
The 2015 team and 2017 teams were really good but had flaws. The 2015 team was highly reliant on running back Derrick Henry offensively before quarterback Jake Coker hit his stride toward the end of the season. Last season, Alabama’s passing game wasn’t a threat, and the defense was gashed by injuries. Those teams were really good, but it’s hard to see either of them beating the 2009, 2011 or 2012 groups.
Let’s start with the 2009 group. Offensively, quarterback Greg McElroy didn’t scare anyone, but they had running back Mark Ingram and receiver Julio Jones to keep defensive coordinators awake at night. That defense, led by Rolando McClain, willed the team to wins at times. McClain gave them an extra edge that helped propel them through the season on their way to beating Florida in the SEC Championship Game rematch, then Texas for Alabama’s first national championship since 1992.
Admittedly, the 2011 team was Trent Richardson or bust on offense at times, but the group still holds the title of the best defense. That defense was unreal. The defensive line was filthy. The linebackers were mean and physical. The secondary was long and athletic. You couldn’t do anything against this group. It would be great to see the 2018 offense against the 2011 defense. Would Alabama’s current offensive line be able to stand up against that 2011 defensive front? Would the 2011 secondary be quick and fast enough to keep up with the 2018 receivers? Or vice versa: would the 2018 receivers even be able to get away from the press coverage from the 2011 secondary?
As I mentioned, I believe the 2012 team is the best so far. That group saw QB AJ McCarron at his best along with two 1,000-yard rushers in Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon and a 1,000-yard receiver in Amari Cooper. The defense was filled with future first-round picks as well, including C.J. Mosley, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Dee Milliner.
Of the three, I think the 2012 group probably would have had the best chance of beating this current group, but it would be interesting.
As for this group, they have the edge from an offensive standpoint. But this group has been sloppy at times and has given up more plays on defense than a typical Saban group. But the play of Tua Tagovailoa and these receivers can cover a lot of holes.
If Alabama is able to win this national championship, this group should go down as the best of the Saban era.
“This is the final chapter of the book,” Pannunzio said. “There’s only one way to end the book right, and hopefully we can do that Monday night. It’d be a hell of a story if we can pull this thing off.”
The task is simple for this group: win and you go down as the best ever. Lose, and you’re forgotten as just another really good team that couldn’t finish the job.
Veteran Alabama beat reporter Marq Burnett covers the Crimson Tide for Saturday Down South.
