The Missed Potential of the 2022 Alabama Football Team
Alabama's College Football Playoff dreams died in Death Valley on Saturday night after LSU upset the Tide in overtime 32-31.
Alabama has looked off for a majority of the season but most did not expected Alabama to not even make it to the SEC Championship. Unfortunately, this is the reality for Crimson Tide fans and their hopes for an 18th National Championship.
The legacy of the 2022 Alabama Crimson Tide football team will be missed potential. Coming off a heartbreaking National Championship loss with a young team, Alabama came into the 2022 season as favorites to win the entire thing. The team brought back Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young and star defensive end Will Anderson which added to the hype train.
The Tide rolled in its season opener with a 55-0 win over the Utah State Aggies. The cracks of the team showed in a narrow victory against the Texas Longhorns in Week 2. Alabama did not have a reliable No. 1 for the first time in the Saban era. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is our best receiver, the secondary gives up too many yards in the air, and the Crimson Tide cannot play on the road.
Alabama was 7-1 prior to Saturday night's game and still had a chance of making the College Football Playoff. But, just like the Texas and Tennessee game, Alabama struggled on the road. Undisciplined penalties, not being able to run the ball, relying on Young to make Heisman plays, and not being able to stop the run were the main causes of the Tide's defeat.
So what's next for the Crimson Tide?
Not much by Alabama standards. Next week, the Crimson Tide travel to face the Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford. If the Tide do not beat Kiffin and the Rebels, then it would be the first time since 2007 that Alabama did not get double digits in the win column.
Another thing Bama has to look forward to is the Iron Bowl. Even though Bama will not be competing for a National Championship, state bragging rights for 365 days is the next best thing.
Many people will say that the dynasty is over and Alabama is a fallen giant. Does a falling giant still get the number-one recruiting class in 2023 and has the greatest coach of all time on the sidelines? Another thing to keep in mind, Saban has had two two lost seasons in his time at Alabama. Both years after, they won the National Championship.