I think that what the hell is going on is that we always get the other teams absolute best shot of their season...
Exactly. Facing Alabama, especially Bama/Bryant or Bama/Saban, tremendously heightens the concentration and all of one's senses, as well as elevating adrenalin. It seems like it was RB's in Bryant's day: Cunningham and Davis of USC, Galbreath of Mo, Alexander LSU, etc.; now it's QBs: Garcia, Manziel, Marshall 2014, C. Jones. Corresponds to the changes in the nature of the game.
Bama doesn't always play great, but the primary problem is the elevated play of the opposition.