The possibility took shape this fall following the SEC’s decision to play a 10-game conference-only schedule. From there, Mac Jones saw the opportunity.
Heading into Alabama’s season opener against Missouri in September, the redshirt junior quarterback stated that if the Crimson Tide could make its way through the extended conference slate en route to a perfect season it would go down as the best team to ever play.
Monday night, Alabama accomplished that mission as it defeated Ohio State 52-24 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, finishing its season at a perfect 13-0. Following the game, Jones confidently proclaimed his team’s place in history.
“I think we're the best team to ever play,” Jones said. “There's no team that will ever play an SEC schedule like that again. At the same time we're just so happy to have won this game and kind of put the icing on the cake.”
Alabama became the first team to win 11 SEC games in a single year, rolling through the regular season before beating Florida in the conference championship game. From there, the Tide took down Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl before blowing out Ohio State on Monday night.
Not only that, Alabama accomplished the feat while navigating the distractions and complications caused by COVID-19
“I agree with (Mac),” Alabama defensive lineman Christian Barmore said. “Yes, we really are the best team because we worked hard. We didn't hear the outside noise. We ignored the COVID stuff. We just worked hard together. We just really grinded out for this camp, scrimmages, everything. Even the first game, we were just grinding.”
The perfect season mark Nick Saban’s second undefeated team at Alabama, joining the 2009 squad that went 14-0 its way to securing the head coach’s first title with the Tide. Following Monday’s victory, Saban said it was hard to compare the two teams but did commend this year’s unit for what it accomplished.
“I think especially in this year, with all the disruptions, no spring practice, really no summer ball at all of any sort to develop players, no games where you could play other players and develop players on the team. I think this, based on the circumstances, this team has really accomplished a lot, to be able to do what they did.”
Speaking of the greatest ever, Saban also reached a milestone as this season’s championship gives him seven career national titles, passing Alabama coaching legend Paul “Bear” Bryant for most all-time. When asked whether his head coach was the greatest of all time, Jones wasn’t hesitant to give his opinion on that matter as well.
"C'mon, man. Of course he is,” the quarterback said with a laugh. “How could he not be? He does it the right way. He recruits well, but more importantly develops great players and young men. I'm just so blessed that he gave me a chance to come here along with all my teammates. I wouldn't trade it for anything. He's the greatest to ever do it. He'll be the greatest for a long time.”
Sark shineds in his last game as OC
Despite taking the head coaching job at Texas earlier this month, Steve Sarkisian stated the lead up into the national championship game consisted of a normal game week. The Tide’s offensive coordinator pointed out the commitment he made to Saban and his players, promising there wouldn’t be a lack of focus heading into the matchup.
Monday, Sarkisian proved to be a man of his word.
Alabama came out firing against Ohio State, scoring touchdowns on five of its first six possessions. The Tide finished the game with 620 yards and 33 first downs, moving the ball at will against an Ohio State defense that troubled Clemson in the Sugar Bowl.
Following the win, Saban and Alabama players sang the praises of their departing coordinator for his final performance in charge of the Tide’s offense.
“He's done a fabulous job all year long,” Saban said. “He had got a great plan, does a great job preparing the players. He does a really good job of calling a game. He knows what the other team is doing, knows how to attack it, knows where to put the players to put them in position to be able to make those plays against what the other team is doing.
“He has just done a fantastic job this year. I can't even tell you. Can't even put into words what a great job he's done, how much confidence the players have in the plan and the execution.”
Sarkisian, who earned the Broyles Award this season, helped Alabama rank in the top five in scoring offense (48.46 points per game), total offense (541.61 yards per game) and passing offense (358.15 ypg).
“Coach Sark, all year long he's called great plays,” Jones said. “We really just think alike. I know exactly what he's looking for. We had that communication that every quarterback and offensive coordinator wants. He put our best players in position to make plays. My job was always to get them the ball.
“Beyond football, Coach Sark means so much to me. He made me such a better player and person. I love Coach Sark. For him to deal with all the stuff he was dealing with with the Texas stuff, just locked in and gave us the best chance to win.”
Smith sets records despite dislocating his finger
It turns out the only thing that could stop DeVonta Smith was his own finger. The Heisman Trophy winner earned MVP honors Monday night, recording 12 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns but was forced to leave the game during Alabama’s first possession of the third quarter after he dislocated his finger.
According to Saban, Smith was angling to get back into the game but Alabama’s medical team was unable to set his finger back in place, cutting the star receiver’s night short.
“I told Smitty after the game, I said, You’re the only player that I know that missed a whole half because of your finger,” Saban said with a smile.
Despite essentially only playing the first half, Smith still set national championship records for most receiving yards and most receiving touchdowns.
“Heavens knows what he would have done if he played the whole game,” Saban said. “But you're talking about the ultimate warrior, ultimate competitor. I'm so happy for him that he was recognized as the best player in college football because I don't think anybody's done more for their team than he has for our team.”
Jones will consider his future this week
Smith wasn’t the only Alabama player who set records Monday. Jones also had a big night, completing 36 of 45 passes for a career-high 464 yards and five touchdowns without an interception.
The redshirt junior passed former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow’s national championship game record of 463 yards through the air set last year while also eclipsing former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson’s national championship game record of 36 completions set in 2017.
Not a bad way to end a college career. That is if Jones is indeed planning on leaving the Tide this offseason.
Following the game, the Alabama quarterback was asked about his future, stating he will likely make his draft decision this week.
“I'm going to make the best decision for me and my family,” Jones said. “I'm blessed to put myself in a position to do either one, come back or hopefully go to the NFL. We'll discuss that this week and see what my plan is.”
Jones set Alabama’s single-season passing record with 4,500 yards through the air over 13 games. The Heisman finalists also threw for 41 touchdowns, trailing Tua Tagovailoa’s single-season passing touchdown record by just two scores.
Monday night’s performance was Jones’ fifth 400-yard game this season. He now owns five of Alabama’s 11 all-time 400-yard passing performances.
“In terms of legacy, I mean, I just think it's cool,” Jones said of his time so far at Alabama. “Just the class that we had coming in, the four teams that I played on throughout my career here, I just am so blessed to be on each team. Two national championships, one kind of watching from the sideline, one getting a chance to play. It just goes to show that anything is possible. When you put your mind to something, believe in your teammates and coaches, you can get things done.”
