Alabama Crimson Tide

The number one ranked Alabama Crimson Tide Football team will face off against number four Ohio State on Thursday, January 1, 2015 in the AllState Sugar Bowl. This will bring the nation one step closer to determining who will play in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship game.

The Crimson Tide smoked the Mizzou Tigers 42-13 in the SEC Championship game two weekends ago, making it clear they were ranked number one for a reason. The team finished its regular season 12-1, including 7-1 in SEC games. Alabama’s only loss came in early October, as the team fell 23-17 to Ole Miss, who finished the season ranked 11th overall.

Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper was one of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy. The winner (Oregon’s Marcus Mariota) announcement and award presentation was made last Saturday in New York. Cooper was named the SEC Player of the Year by the Associated Press and also leads the nation in receiving yards at 1656.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is known for not only being a mind full disciplinarian, but also a defensive guru. Saban has been Alabama’s football coach since 2007 and led the team to national championship victories in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Ohio State’s Urban Myer has been credited with offensive expertise. Watching these two coaches who together have 5 national championship titles, face off against one another again should be an exciting matchup.

There is insurmountable pressure to attaining the rank of number one, and once you have it, keeping it. The Crimson Tide had last week off from football and players commented that Saban had the team’s best interest in mind, knowing they needed to recharge. The team headed back to practice Tuesday, December 16th. The team will focus on fundamentals this week, getting back into the right mindset and regaining the intensity they had which led to eight consecutive victories to close their regular season.

The Sugar Bowl is sure to be an entertaining matchup regardless of who you’re rooting for. Two teams with historic college football programs and two successful and decorated coaches, with nationwide loyal fans, will face off to seek entry into the first CFP championship game, looking for college football’s most coveted title.