Is it just me, or does this year’s Alabama squad resemble 1992’s team in a lot of ways? Dominating defense, workmanlike offense with a QB who’s not statistically great but is managing the offense brilliantly…but the similarities don’t end there. The scenario in which the team finds itself is also very similar.
- Alabama has a relatively new coach who is experiencing success at Alabama. In ’92 it was Stallings. Now, it’s Saban.
- There is a dominant team with a firm hold on the #1 spot in the polls–Texas. In 1992 it was Miami.
- Texas has won a national championship recently, as had Miami in ’92.
- Miami had a Heisman candidate at quarterback and a high-powered offense. Texas’ Colt McCoy is also a Heisman candidate, and Texas has one of the most powerful offenses in the nation.
- Alabama never rose above #2 during the regular season, and likely won’t this year unless Texas somehow manages to lose, which seems increasingly improbable.
- At the end of October of ’92, it was becoming clear that Alabama was on a course to meet Florida, who had a relatively new coach (Spurrier) who was establishing himself as one of the best coaches in the SEC. This season, the same scenario seems likely, with Meyer as the new Florida coach.
- The dominant team of ’92 finished the regular season undefeated, and Alabama did, too, even though it was considered highly unlikely that it would. Barring missteps, Texas and Alabama will both finish undefeated, although in Alabama’s case it will seem highly unlikely that they will have done so.
- No one gave Alabama a chance in ’92 against Miami. Alabama had a blue-collar team that was facing off against a national power. This season, if Alabama and Texas meet in Miami, no one will give the blue-collar Alabama team a chance against Texas, which is considered a national power.
The fates are lining everything up. Will this season be a repeat of 1992? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for certain: Alabama controls its own destiny. Win out and the prize will be yours.
Dropped in to take a look around. I like your work and appreciate your passion for Tide football. Keep it up!
Tony
[…] the Alabama ‘92 squad to this year’s team. It’s a really good article, and very similar to the one I wrote back in October. The only difference was in October it looked like Texas was the team to beat. Now, it’s […]