Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, College Sports, J.R. Tidwell, Sports, Sports Columnists
 By  J.R. Tidwell Published 
5:56 am Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Alabama wins title game

Alabama did it. They beat LSU bad enough that critics wouldn’t start crying co-champs.

In my estimation, one of the two teams actually showed up for the National Championship game ready to play for a trophy.

In case you don’t know which one I mean, let’s just say that team wasn’t wearing purple and gold.

The Crimson Tide came out with a great strategy — prevent LSU from scoring, and we will eventually. That is exactly what happened.

I spent the game sitting in between two Alabama fans that were nervous the entire game.

I was the exact same way last year when Auburn beat Oregon.

I came into the room and made a deal with them; if they didn’t badmouth Auburn, I wouldn’t say anything disparaging against Bama.

It was a win-win for me — my only concern was the Coaches’ Trophy staying in the SEC. I didn’t really care who won.

Alabama won with a shutout, the first since Tom Osborne was leading an unstoppable Nebraska team in the early ‘90s.

Like my brother said that night, all LSU had to do was not get blown out and they would have a decent chance at being named a co-champ if nothing else.

The problem was, the Bayou Bengals defied history and were defeated for the first time in a bowl game in New Orleans.

On a side note, one of my friends was curious about why New Orleans is called “The Big Easy.” One popular theory is that the city was one big speakeasy during Prohibition. Makes sense to me. Also, another name for a speakeasy was a blind tiger. Coincidence LSU? Yeah, I know they’re in Baton Rouge. So what?

As much as I hate to admit it, the Crimson Tide team that played Monday night was without a doubt the best team in the country at any point this season, so give them the trophy.

At least that makes three championships in a row for Alabama schools. Now if only Auburn can keep the trend going next season.

Four-peat anyone?

Also on Franklin County Times
Walk Thru Bethlehem captures Christmas story
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 10, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville First Baptist Church’s annual Walk Thru Bethlehem over the weekend transformed two downtown blocks into a first-century se...
Use of force: ‘It’s a split-second decision’
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Kevin Taylor For the Franklin County Times 
December 10, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE –Before each shift at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, supervisors will always talk about officer safety. They talk about incidents ...
Tree lighting ceremony draws crowd in Red Bay
News, Red Bay
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 10, 2025
RED BAY — Members of the community gathered downtown Nov. 30 for the annual tree lighting ceremony, which brought students, local organizers and famil...
Rideshare drivers should be able to understand English
Columnists, Opinion
December 10, 2025
When I was in college, if we needed a ride, we would either call a friend or walk home. These days, however, millions of Americans rely on rideshare s...
‘Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular’ gets ready to take stage
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
December 10, 2025
By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist The Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular does more than bring holiday joy to the stage each December. It unites our communit...
Golden Tigers split contests with Belgreen
High School Sports, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
Brannon King For the FCT 
December 10, 2025
The Russellville Golden Tigers visited the Belgreen Bulldogs and each school picked up a win. Russellville’s girls defeated Belgreen by a final score ...
PC Lady Bobcats win 3 games
High School Sports, Phil Campbell Bobcats, Sports
Bart Moss For the FCT 
December 10, 2025
Phil Campbell picked up three wins this week beating Shoals Christian 49-34, Cherokee 55-21 and Lexington 52-41. In the Shoals Christian win Phil Camp...
Romero makes triumphant return to stage
News, Phil Campbell
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
December 10, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — When Jonathon Romero first walked out as Sweeney Todd during the show’s opening weekend, it marked a triumphant return to the stage af...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *