Only time will tell if the Alabama Crimson Tide can continue the streak of being the best in the college football nation. The true test will be this Saturday, September 17 at 2:30 pm as the Tide faces the Ole Miss Rebels in Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Just two years ago Alabama suffered a devastating loss to the Rebels in the same location, this being the first loss to Ole Miss since 2003. This heartbreaking loss cut deep for Alabama fans across the nation, especially for the fans in Oxford as students of Ole Miss stormed the field and tore down the goal post. How could THE Alabama lose to the Ole Miss Rebels?
Fast forward to the next year, the year to get redemption on the Rebels for what had occurred the previous year. The Tide had a home field advantage and had not lost to Ole Miss at home since October 8, 1988. 1988 people, they thought we had this game in the bag.
Sadly, we all know that was not the case as Ole Miss defeated Alabama 43-37. Speaking as a person who was in the stadium during this nail biting game, you could truly feel the hurt and defeat amongst the Tide fans. To say the least, it was a sad night in Bryant Denny.
Despite these two losses against the Rebs, it did not stop the Crimson Tide from progressing forward to the playoffs in the 2014 season and then becoming National Champions in the following 2015 season. The “dynasty was over”, huh?
The Alabama Crimson Tide proved the doubters wrong by winning out every single game after the terrible loss to Ole Miss, including the 2015 National Championship against the undefeated Clemson Tigers. The Alabama powerhouse was back on top.
After losing quarterback, Jake Coker, for the 2016 season, many were interested to see who would become the next Alabama QB1. Alabama fans were focused on 3 names for the quarterback spot and that was; Cooper Bateman, Blake Barnett, and Jalen Hurts.
Jalen Hurts discovered his niche in quarterback spot at the season opener against USC. He performed extremely well as a true freshman who many people had not even heard of yet. Alabama was actually a part of the 6 out of 14 SEC teams who won their season opener, winning their game 52-6.
The next game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers was won 38-10.
I believe the true test comes this Saturday. The only thing Alabama fans are able to do is wait to see how the Tide will perform. It is important for Alabama to take back their winning streak against Ole Miss, and what better way than to beat them where the winning streak was broken 2 years ago in Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Can the best team in the nation just keep getting better? Tune in this Saturday at 2:30 pm to see for yourselves.