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
‘All we did was done fully’
Main, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 17, 2025
THARPTOWN — Glenda Amelia Aycock-Long has lived many chapters, each distinct, each demanding, each shaped by her willingness to say “yes” to the next ...
Patriot Riders give ‘brother’ full honors
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
December 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Vietnam veteran Avery Brewster finally received the full military funeral he deserved. Local American Patriot Riders escorted a hearse ...
Ayers, at 90, still a pillar of community
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 17, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Barbara Ayers, who taught home economics at Phil Campbell High School for more than three decades, remains engaged in the life of the ...
A jolly good time was had by all
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
December 17, 2025
Community members gathered last week to celebrate the season with annual Christmas parades in Russellville, Red Bay, Vina and Phil Campbell. Parade wi...
Garden club hosts ‘Every Light a Prayer for Peace’
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Community members gathered at the Franklin County Courthouse on Thursday for the annual “Every Light a Prayer for Peace” ceremony hoste...
Cyber criminals target holiday shoppers
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
December 17, 2025
By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist Online scams have grown more sophisticated in recent years, making it harder for people to tell legitimate businesse...
State has chance to get data center boom right
Columnists, Opinion
December 17, 2025
Every day, we read about massive data centers coming to the Southeast. Billions of dollars. Thousands of construction jobs. The promise of economic tr...
Baker reaches 1,000 career points
High School Sports, Phil Campbell Bobcats, Sports
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 17, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Phil Campbell High School senior Leela Baker has added her name to a small group of Franklin County athletes by scoring the 1,000th po...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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