Initial impressions from the National Championship Game

What can you say about the 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide?

Folks, we just witnessed the greatest season in college football history. They are the undefeated national champions, beating five of the other nine top ten teams, winning 13 power five contests, becoming the first team in history to win 11 SEC games, and had exactly one win all season of less than 15 points.

In the playoffs, they easily dispatched their two opponents. Ohio State had a top ten defense this season, and all Alabama did was roll up 35 points and nearly 400 yards in the first half. There were a couple of limited tense moments in the second half, but it was never terribly close.

DeVonta Smith had a first half for the ages with 12 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns. The Buckeyes had absolutely no answer for Smitty, who rides off into the sunset as an Alabama legend, without a doubt the best WR season in Crimson Tide history. Smith ran a variety of routes, beat a variety of defenders, and generally did what he pleased. Sadly, a finger injury took him out of the game early in the second half with the outcome still in doubt.

Fittingly, Jaylen Waddle hobbled out there to fill in for the rest of the drive with Smith out. The drive ended in a field goal, but Waddle going out there to finish a drive for Smith after Smith stepped up in his stead is the story of this Alabama team. John Metchie, Jahleel Billingsley, Slade Bolden, and Brian Robinson all made plays as the Tide scored on three straight possessions to put the game away.

Of course, Mac Jones and Najee Harris were out there too.

Mac broke the all time passer rating record set last season by Joe Burrow. He threw 45 passes with five TDs and only 9 incompletions, rolling up 464 yards in the process. Najee Harris played like a man possessed again, picking up 158 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. We are out of superlatives for the Holy Trinity of 2020 Alabama football. They are simply the best.

The defense stepped up in a big way tonight as well. No, it wasn’t a perfect performance. Ohio State made some plays as we knew they would. Still, the Tide was able to make the Buckeyes one dimensional. Christian Barmore starred on the defensive line and likely earned himself a first round grade.

Landon Dickerson came off the bench at the tail end of the game and got a couple of snaps to walk off the field a champion. He personified the heart that this team showed in such a messed up year.

Again, what else can you say?

They are the greatest.

Roll Tide.