Let’s be honest, college football was much different before the 1970s. The Alabama Crimson Tide was among the last schools to integrate its school with African American players, and in 1970 Alabama scheduled a game with the University of Southern California (USC) at Birmingham’s legion field. It was the first time an integrated team was invited to play Alabama (an all-white team) in the state.
The Trojans dismantled Alabama 42-21 that day, which history suggests was the true turning of the Tide to integrate the football team. For the sake of that historical context, let’s measure team success from that year to now.
The Tide claimed nine AP national championships since then winning two in the 70s. The Miami Hurricanes surpassed Alabama’s two by winning three in the 80s including a win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl in the ’89 season. The Canes would add another title in 1991, and aimed to win back-to-back championships for the first time in school history.
The roadblock in achieving feat…naturally the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Canes and Tide were matched again in the Sugar Bowl with a national championship on the line. Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta possibly had the worst game of his college career throwing three interceptions in a 34-13 loss.
The win for Bama trimmed Miami’s lead to one with three championships. The Hurricanes would extend the lead with a championship in 2001 and then Nick Saban happened. Saban, since taking the Alabama head coaching job in 2007, has won six national championships. Giving the Tide a 9 to 5 lead.
The matchup Labor Day Weekend between these two storied programs will be a game between the two most successful programs when it comes to the number of AP national championships since 1970.
The game Saturday played at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, will have a bowl game like feel similar to the last two contests that were played at a ‘neutral’ site.
Alabama leads the series with Miami since 1970 winning 7 out of 8 games.
Things to know…
Alabama
Alabama will be installing a new offense under former Houston Texans Head Coach Bill O’ Brien and will have a second-year quarterback in Bryce Young. Young, will be starting the first football game of his career against the Hurricanes and was a five-star recruit coming out of high school at Mater Dei in California.
The void of running back Najee Harris, set to get significant snaps for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season, will be something to watch during the game. Brian Robinson (Hillcrest, AL) and IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) product Trey Sanders will get opportunities to become the new lead back.
Alabama wide receiver John Metchie (St. James, MD) will likely be Young’s primary target. Metchie had 55 catches for 916 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Will Anderson (Dutchtown, GA) and Christopher Allen (Southern Lab, LA) will be threats coming off of the edge on defense. They combined for 13 sacks last season. Christian Harris (University Lab, LA) and Henry To’o To’o (De La Salle, CA), a Tennessee transfer, form a strong versatile linebacker corps likely to play in the NFL within the next two years.
Alabama cornerback Josh Jobe (Chestshire, CT) by way of Miami Columbus, is the next in line of great cornerbacks to come out of the program in recent years, so look for Miami to expose the other cornerback on the other side.
Miami
Senior quarterback D’Eriq King (Manvel, TX) is coming off of an ACL tear of his knee in the final game of last season. King has looked more than impressive in fall camp and seems poised to lead the Hurricanes to double-digit victories this season.
Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, in his second year with the program, will continue to implement his fast-paced spread offense and will look to keep Alabama off-balance. Miami will field one of its best offensive lines this century and have playmakers at all skill positions that can be NFL level talents: Running back Cam’Ron Harris (Miami Carol City, FL), Tight End Will Mallory (Providence, FL), and Receivers Mike Harley, Jr. (St. Thomas Aquinas, FL) and Charleston Rambo (Cedar Hill, TX)
Head Coach Manny Diaz takes over the play-calling on defense after the Canes were ranked 67th in college football in total defense giving up 408 yards per game.
Safety Bubba Bolden is considered one best defensive backs in the country and has proven to be a leader for the entire defensive side of the ball. Georgia Transfer Tyrique Stevenson (Miami Southridge, FL) and Keontra Smith (Chaminade-Madonna, FL) should add some speed to the second and third levels of the defense.
Upfront, the Miami defensive line would need to generate penetration and pressure for Miami to have a chance at the upset. Converted linebacker Zach McCloud (Santaluces, FL) and Jafari Harvey (Vero Beach, FL) will be dependent upon to cause disruption in the Bama backfield.
Alabama Vs. Miami is set for a 3:30 kickoff on ABC/ESPN Saturday.
Featured Photo Courtesy of Peach Bowl Inc.
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