The year was 1966 and Alabama's football team, as much of an institution in the South as the Baptist Church and just as worshipped, followed two consecutive national championships by starting the 1966 season ranked No. 1, went undefeated, gave up seven points in its last five games — and didn't win a third national title. The Crimson Tide, coached by Bear Bryant (he's the younger looking guy on the left; the other fellow is Joe Paterno at the 1975 Sugar Bowl), gave up 37 points — for the season! Oh yeah, Notre Dame, despite a 10-10 tie at Michigan State, was named national champion. ... And you wonder why 75% of the country dislike the Fighting Irish. Nine teams have had a chance to win three national titles in a row. Nine have failed. USC will try to become the first to do it.
Monday, January 02, 2006
The Art of the Three-Peat
The year was 1966 and Alabama's football team, as much of an institution in the South as the Baptist Church and just as worshipped, followed two consecutive national championships by starting the 1966 season ranked No. 1, went undefeated, gave up seven points in its last five games — and didn't win a third national title. The Crimson Tide, coached by Bear Bryant (he's the younger looking guy on the left; the other fellow is Joe Paterno at the 1975 Sugar Bowl), gave up 37 points — for the season! Oh yeah, Notre Dame, despite a 10-10 tie at Michigan State, was named national champion. ... And you wonder why 75% of the country dislike the Fighting Irish. Nine teams have had a chance to win three national titles in a row. Nine have failed. USC will try to become the first to do it.
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