In Other Retroactive Scenarios
1966 - 1 Notre Dame vs 4 Georgia, 2 Michigan State vs 3 Alabama
Georgia prevailed in a close one, 17-10, led by Herschel Walker's father, Luke "Sky" Walker. Alabama routed Michigan State and Georgia on their way to the title, completing the first three-peat in modern college history.
1974 2 Alabama vs 5 USC, 3 Ohio State vs 4 Michigan
#1 Oklahoma is not permitted in this playoff due to being on probation. Alabama routs USC then survives a close one with Ohio State to win the national championship.
1975 - 1 Ohio State vs 4 Alabama, 2 Oklahoma vs 3 Texas A&M
In a rematch of the 1974 championship game, Alabama pulverizes Ohio State, 50-2, giving them 2 points on a safety at the end of the game simply because Bryant feels sorry for Woody Hayes. A&M, unbeaten on the year, douses Switzer, 11-10, setting up a "Bear Bryant Coached Here" National Title game that Alabama wins. Their wins in 74 and 75 make them the second team to three-peat after the Tide of 1964-66.
1977 1 Texas vs 4 Michigan, 2 Oklahoma vs 3 Alabama
Michigan and Texas play to a boring 3-2 win by the Wolverines. Alabama slices Oklahoma open again, 24-7, and drills Michigan in the first-ever meeting between the two powers. It's Alabama's 4th title in five years, an unheard of accomplishment.
1978 1 Penn State vs 4 Oklahoma, 2 Alabama vs 3 USC
Joe Pa continues on his way to his first national title, beating the Sooners, 19-16. Alabama avenges their only loss of the season by trouncing USC, 24-14. In the Sugar Bowl, Penn State scores on a fourth and goal to tie the game at 14, but QB Jeff Rutledge hits Bruce Bolton down the sidelines with a minute left and the Tide wins, 21-14. (See, I can rewrite what really happened like that dolt). It's the Tide's fifth national championship in six years.
1979 1 Alabama vs 4 Florida State, 2 Ohio State vs 3 USC
What's that you say? You think I forgot that Ohio State undeservedly took over the #1 spot from Alabama in November of 1979? No, I didn't. But given that Alabama has just won five of the previous six national titles, do you REALLY think that would have happened under that scenario? Of course not.
As it is, USC beats Ohio State and Alabama kills FSU. In their fourth match-up in three years, the Tide wins again, 21-18. This is their sixth national title in seven years and Steadman Shealy and Major Ogilvie tie as co-winners of the Heisman Trophy.
1981 1 Clemson vs 4 Nebraska, 2 Georgia vs 3 Alabama
Clemson beats Nebraska, 22-15, led by Refrigerator Perry, who memorably said when Clemson was hit with a two-year TV ban: "The worst thing about it is we can't watch TV for two years." (Yes folks, he really said that). Alabama beats Georgia, 17-10, as their entire Walker title runs were built primarily upon beating nobodies (they never played Alabama during his entire run there). Bear beats former Tide man Danny Ford, resulting in the Tide's seventh title in eight years and affecting the future of college football by having to rename the disease something other than Ole Miss-Clemson Syndrome. A very young John Saunders hosting a Canadian program says that Alabama's seven titles are "really" only six because they lost to Notre Dame in 1973.
So fine.
Dodd can take our two titles, and we'll take the seven.
1966 - 1 Notre Dame vs 4 Georgia, 2 Michigan State vs 3 Alabama
Georgia prevailed in a close one, 17-10, led by Herschel Walker's father, Luke "Sky" Walker. Alabama routed Michigan State and Georgia on their way to the title, completing the first three-peat in modern college history.
1974 2 Alabama vs 5 USC, 3 Ohio State vs 4 Michigan
#1 Oklahoma is not permitted in this playoff due to being on probation. Alabama routs USC then survives a close one with Ohio State to win the national championship.
1975 - 1 Ohio State vs 4 Alabama, 2 Oklahoma vs 3 Texas A&M
In a rematch of the 1974 championship game, Alabama pulverizes Ohio State, 50-2, giving them 2 points on a safety at the end of the game simply because Bryant feels sorry for Woody Hayes. A&M, unbeaten on the year, douses Switzer, 11-10, setting up a "Bear Bryant Coached Here" National Title game that Alabama wins. Their wins in 74 and 75 make them the second team to three-peat after the Tide of 1964-66.
1977 1 Texas vs 4 Michigan, 2 Oklahoma vs 3 Alabama
Michigan and Texas play to a boring 3-2 win by the Wolverines. Alabama slices Oklahoma open again, 24-7, and drills Michigan in the first-ever meeting between the two powers. It's Alabama's 4th title in five years, an unheard of accomplishment.
1978 1 Penn State vs 4 Oklahoma, 2 Alabama vs 3 USC
Joe Pa continues on his way to his first national title, beating the Sooners, 19-16. Alabama avenges their only loss of the season by trouncing USC, 24-14. In the Sugar Bowl, Penn State scores on a fourth and goal to tie the game at 14, but QB Jeff Rutledge hits Bruce Bolton down the sidelines with a minute left and the Tide wins, 21-14. (See, I can rewrite what really happened like that dolt). It's the Tide's fifth national championship in six years.
1979 1 Alabama vs 4 Florida State, 2 Ohio State vs 3 USC
What's that you say? You think I forgot that Ohio State undeservedly took over the #1 spot from Alabama in November of 1979? No, I didn't. But given that Alabama has just won five of the previous six national titles, do you REALLY think that would have happened under that scenario? Of course not.
As it is, USC beats Ohio State and Alabama kills FSU. In their fourth match-up in three years, the Tide wins again, 21-18. This is their sixth national title in seven years and Steadman Shealy and Major Ogilvie tie as co-winners of the Heisman Trophy.
1981 1 Clemson vs 4 Nebraska, 2 Georgia vs 3 Alabama
Clemson beats Nebraska, 22-15, led by Refrigerator Perry, who memorably said when Clemson was hit with a two-year TV ban: "The worst thing about it is we can't watch TV for two years." (Yes folks, he really said that). Alabama beats Georgia, 17-10, as their entire Walker title runs were built primarily upon beating nobodies (they never played Alabama during his entire run there). Bear beats former Tide man Danny Ford, resulting in the Tide's seventh title in eight years and affecting the future of college football by having to rename the disease something other than Ole Miss-Clemson Syndrome. A very young John Saunders hosting a Canadian program says that Alabama's seven titles are "really" only six because they lost to Notre Dame in 1973.
So fine.
Dodd can take our two titles, and we'll take the seven.
