Nick Saban secured his sixth national championship in 14 seasons at Alabama on Monday night, thanks to a 52-24 victory over Ohio State.
Not all championships are created equal, however. The road to get there, the strength of the opposition and the makeup of the roster has been different in every case.
What follows is a ranking of Saban’s six Alabama national championship teams, listed in reverse order from “worst” to best (team’s final record in parentheses):
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) delivers the championship to Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) during the first overtime period of the Alabama vs Georgia CFP championship football game, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)AP
6. 2017 (13-1)
Championship game: Beat Georgia 26-23 in overtime in Atlanta
Key players: QB Tua Tagovailoa, QB Jalen Hurts, WR Calvin Ridley, OL Jonah Williams, OL Bradley Bozeman, DL Da’Ron Payne, LB Rashaan Evans, DB Minkah Fitzpatrick
Why it’s No. 6: Alabama’s 2017 team would rank as just about any program’s best ever, but the standard is a little higher in Tuscaloosa. Alone among Saban’s title teams, the 2017 squad lost a regular-season game by double-digits (26-14 at Auburn) and needed overtime to win the championship game. In the end, it was the Crimson Tide’s fabulous freshman class that saved the day, as Tagovailoa replaced the struggling Hurts in the second half vs. Georgia and threw the winning touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith in overtime for a walk-off championship.
Alabama lineman Alphonse Taylor (50) celebrates Alabama’s second straight national championship following a 42-14 win over Notre Dame on, Monday, January 07, 2013, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)AP
5. 2012 (13-1)
Championship game: Beat Notre Dame 42-14 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Key players: QB AJ McCarron, RB Eddie Lacy, WR Amari Cooper, OL Barrett Jones, OL Chance Warmack, DL Jesse Williams, LB C.J. Mosley, DB Dee Milliner
Why it’s No. 5: The only repeat champion on the list, the 2012 Crimson Tide rallied past LSU (21-17 in Baton Rouge), overcame a late stumble vs. Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M (losing 29-21 in Tuscaloosa) and won a classic SEC title game (32-28 over Georgia) to reach the BCS national championship game. Facing what turned out to be a vastly overrated Fighting Irish team, Alabama jumped out to a commanding 28-0 halftime lead and cruised to its third national championship in four years. This is the team that made whispers of “dynasty” a reality.
Alabama running back Derrick Henry (2) celebrates the Tide’s 45-40 victory over Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship football game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)AP
4. 2015 (14-1)
Championship game: Beat Clemson 45-40 in Glendale, Ariz.
Key players: QB Jake Coker, RB Derrick Henry, OL Cam Robinson, OL Ryan Kelly, DL Jonathan Allen, LB Reggie Ragland, DB Eddie Jackson, DB Marlon Humphrey
Why it’s No. 4: Carried by Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry on offense and an incredible ability to score non-offensive touchdowns (10 in total), this Alabama team returned to the pinnacle after the failures of the two previous seasons had critics wondering if Saban had lost his touch. The Crimson Tide stumbled early in the season (losing 43-37 to Ole Miss), but closed it out with 12 consecutive victories. The title game win over Clemson was an all-time classic, with a surprise onside kick and a kickoff return for a touchdown by Kenyan Drake now in the pantheon of the program’s greatest moments.
Alabama running back Trent Richardson (3) breaks free of LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne (17) during the BCS Championship Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. (Press-Register file photo by Bill Starling)MO
3. 2011 (12-1)
Championship game: Beat LSU 21-0 in New Orleans
Key players: QB AJ McCarron, RB Trent Richardson, OL Barrett Jones, LB Dont’a Hightower, LB Courtney Upshaw, DB Mark Barron, DB Dre Kirkpatrick, DB DeQuan Menzie
Why it’s No. 3: This Alabama team featured one of the greatest defenses in modern college football history, allowing just 8.2 points per game, and just five opponents to score in double digits. Offense was sometimes a struggle, including in the Crimson Tide’s lone loss, a 9-6 overtime defeat to LSU in Tuscaloosa — billed as the “Game of the Century.” Alabama worked its way back into the national championship picture (in somewhat controversial fashion) and got another shot at LSU, dominating this time in a 21-0 victory at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) kisses the BCS National Championship trophy as he and fellow players (from left) linebacker Rolando McClain (25), offensive lineman Mike Johnson (78) and defensive back Javier Arenas (28) celebrate their victory over Texas at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2009. (Press-Register file photo by Bill Starling)BN
2. 2009 (14-0)
Championship game: Beat Texas 37-21 in Pasadena, Calif.
Key players: QB Greg McElroy, RB Mark Ingram, WR Julio Jones, OL Mike Johnson, DL Terrence Cody, DL Marcell Dareus, LB Rolando McClain, DB/KR Javier Arenas
Why it’s No. 2: The Saban team that started it all was the only one until this year to finish with a perfect record. Alabama scuffled some early in the regular season, and barely survived in a 12-10 victory over Tennessee in late October. This Crimson Tide team might have finished stronger than any other during this run, routing No. 1-ranked and defending national champion Florida 32-13 in the SEC championship game and then beating undefeated and second-ranked Texas 37-21 in the BCS national championship at the Rose Bowl.
Heisman winner DeVonta Smith had a game for the ages in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)TNS
1. 2020 (13-0)
Championship game: Beat Ohio State 52-24 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Key players: QB Mac Jones, RB Najee Harris, WR DeVonta Smith, OL Landon Dickerson, OL Alex Leatherwood, LB Christian Harris, LB Dylan Moses, DB Patrick Surtain
Why it’s No. 1: It’s hard to overstate how much Alabama accomplished in 2020, not only going undefeated and winning the national championship, but trailing just once in the second half all season (vs. Georgia) and beating 11 SEC teams (the best 11 as a matter of fact) and doing it all during a global pandemic. The Crimson Tide tied a record with five unanimous All-Americans and had the Heisman Trophy winner (plus two others who finished in the top 5 in voting). At the risk of engaging in recency bias, this is Saban’s best team and maybe the best in Alabama history.