13 Days ‘Till Alabama Football Kickoff: 2009 BCS National Championship

“Thirteen Roll Tide!”

That catchphrase caught fire around the state of Alabama, even to the point of my entire class room shouting “Roll Tide” as soon as a teacher mentioned problem #13.

In 2009, the Tide rode an elite defense filled with studs such as Rolando McClain, Terrance Cody, Marcell Dareus, Mark Barron, Kareem Jackson, and Javier Arenas to an undefeated season. The Crimson Tide sought redemption in the SEC championship, taking down Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators in a convincing fashion to make their way to face Texas in the BCS National Championship.

Oh, and Mark Ingram picked up the school’s first Heisman trophy along the way.

A stellar performance from Ingram and the defense (including the ever-famous Marcell Dareus interception return for a touchdown), and Alabama had dominated its way to the school’s first championship since 1992, marking the beginning of the already-legendary Nick Saban dynasty.

It was the 13th national championship in school history.