‘Bama Reigns as Top College Football Team During Trump’s Presidency

Presidencies are often remembered for the historical events that fill them. From historical events and block-buster movies to celebrity deaths and new technological advances, Americans across the country can remember who the President was when the U.S. landed on the moon. This is especially true for sporting events and championship campaigns.

Today was the final day of the Donald Trump presidency- don’t worry, this is NOT a political piece- so let’s take a look at how the Alabama Crimson Tide fared during “45’s” presidency.

During the 2016 Election cycle, Alabama was experiencing an impressive season. At that time, Alabama hadn’t finished a season undefeated since Coach Saban’s first championship at ‘Bama in 2009. After big victories in the Iron Bowl and SEC Championship, the Crimson Tide looked unstoppable in the College Football Playoff. ‘Bama rolled over Washington, but the boys in crimson were stopped short when they ran into the buzzsaw that was Clemson. This means that the Deshaun Watson-led Tigers would be visiting the White House, instead. Still, Alabama finished 2016 14-1 overall and 9-0 in the SEC, with a bowl victory and a national championship game appearance.

2017- Year 1:

During President Trump’s first football season in office, Alabama once again rolled through most of its regular-season schedule. Most of the games, except for a seven-point victory over Mississippi State, were one-sided. In the regular-season finale, the No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide fell to cross-state rival No. 6 Auburn.

To many, this seemed like the end of a championship run for ‘Bama. Fortunately for Tide fans, Alabama was selected as a four-seed in the College Football Playoff. In a shocking fashion, Alabama upset the No. 1 Clemson Tigers to advance to the National Championship.

In what has now become many Alabama fans’ favorite game ever, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a dime to future Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith in overtime to beat the Georgia Bulldogs.

Not only did Alabama win its 17th national championship during the first year of President Trump’s term, but the team also secured two national awards, three All-Americans, and 12 total draft picks. In 2017, Alabama finished 13-1 overall and 8-1 in conference play.

2018- Year 2:

For a third straight year, Alabama was dominant throughout the regular season. Big victories versus Auburn in the Iron Bowl and Georgia in the SEC Championship, earning the Crimson Tide another one-seed in the College Football Playoff. In an uncharacteristic shootout between the Tide and the Kyler Murray-led Oklahoma Sooners, ‘Bama pulled away to advance to a fourth-straight national championship.

Once again, Alabama was haunted by the high-powered Clemson Tigers. This time, they were led by hotshot quarterback Trevor Lawrence. After a long night for ‘Bama fans, Clemson won a one-sided affair 44-16 to secure a third national title for the Tigers. This was the worst loss by Alabama since Nick Saban took over as coach.

The Crimson Tide still had some positives to end the year- ‘Bama won five major postseason awards, crowned three All-Americans, and graduated 12 players to the NFL in the draft. ‘Bama finished 14-1 overall and 9-0 in SEC play.

2019- Year 3:

The 2019 College Football Season was an outlier for the Crimson Tide. Saban and the team rolled into the schedule seeking blood after falling hard against Clemson the year before. Until their meeting with LSU, the Crimson Tide was beating teams by an average of 33 points a game. Two states over, however, the LSU Tigers were having one of their best seasons to date.

This rivalry game in Tuscaloosa was so highly anticipated that President Trump himself visited the Druid City to watch the game. In what will be one of the most remembered games ever in Bryant-Denny Stadium, LSU outlasted Alabama to maintain a perfect record. Three weeks later, Alabama dropped a second SEC game- this time to Auburn. This was the first time Alabama had lost two conference games in the regular season since 2010.

The Crimson Tide accepted a bid to the Vrbo Citrus Bowl for a date with Michigan. In a preview of what was to come, Alabama defeated the Wolverines handily along with a dominant performance by quarterback Mac Jones. ‘Bama finished 2019 with an 11-2 overall record and a 6-2 SEC record. They also gained five more All-Americans and had nine players selected in the NFL Draft.

2020- Year 4:

In President Trump’s final football season in office, Alabama fans experienced one of the Crimson Tide’s most dominant seasons in history. Not only did Alabama breeze through an SEC Schedule where the Tide won every game, but Alabama ended their season with an average margin of victory by 29 points.

Every game of the season was won by 15 points or more except for a six-point victory over the Florida Gators in the SEC Championship.

Less than two weeks later- a time period that was cut dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alabama destroyed the fourth-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Rose Bowl Semifinal in Dallas.

When Alabama fans thought this season couldn’t get any sweeter, the Crimson Tide handled Ohio State 52-24 in Miami for the program’s 18th national championship.
To add to the extensive 2020 trophy case, Alabama won another SEC Championship and gained nine All-Americans. ‘Bama was given 11 total awards, including their third-ever Heisman Trophy, and is expected to have around seven players taken in this year’s NFL Draft.

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To recap- during President Trump’s presidency from 2017-2021, Alabama accomplished the following:

-Two National Titles
-Two SEC Championships
-Four bowl victories
-At least 31 NFL Draft Picks
-23 All-Americans
-18 major postseason awards
-a Heisman Trophy
-and a 65-5 overall record (42-3 in SEC play)

While there were many other champions in other sports that visited President Trump in the White House, Alabama has been the most successful team throughout the 45th Presidency.

Regardless of how you feel about the newly-inaugurated President Biden, one thing Alabama fans can agree on is this:

If Alabama can be half as successful during this presidency as they were during the last, Crimson Tide fans will be in for a treat.