The 1978 Sugar Bowl (actually New Year's Day 1979) game in which Bama beat Penn State 14-7 and won the National Championship thanks to The Goal Line Stand is what turned me into a Bama fan. I was 10 years old, and though I always "pulled for" Bama since both my parents went to school there, that was the first game I watched from start to finish, with everything on the line, sweating it out all the way. It was truly one of the classic college football games of all time.
Then I basically grew up with the Bama-Penn State series in the 80's. Just about all the games were memorable -- Coach Bryant's 314th win in 1981, Bama handling the Lions their only loss on the way to the National Title in 1982, the officials absolutely robbing Alabama of the winning TD after a furious 4th quarter comeback in 1983, on and on.
There were 4 great games while I was in college at Bama. I believe we were ranked #2 nationally my freshman year in 1986 when the Lions came to Tuscaloosa and throttled us 23-3. The following year, Bobby Humphrey unleashed an overwhelming rushing attack in Happy Valley and Bama won big in Curry's first season. In 1988 Derrick Thomas played perhaps the greatest game by a single defensive player in Alabama history, and the Tide won 8-3. Finally, Bama blocked a FG on the last play of the game in 1989 to remain undefeated and in the hunt for the national title.
Through it all, the fans of both schools developed genuine respect and even affection for one another. The competition was fierce, but I've never detected any of the nastiness that sometimes accompanies big-time games. I agree it's unlikely to happen, but another long-term series would be terrific for both schools and for all of college football!
Then I basically grew up with the Bama-Penn State series in the 80's. Just about all the games were memorable -- Coach Bryant's 314th win in 1981, Bama handling the Lions their only loss on the way to the National Title in 1982, the officials absolutely robbing Alabama of the winning TD after a furious 4th quarter comeback in 1983, on and on.
There were 4 great games while I was in college at Bama. I believe we were ranked #2 nationally my freshman year in 1986 when the Lions came to Tuscaloosa and throttled us 23-3. The following year, Bobby Humphrey unleashed an overwhelming rushing attack in Happy Valley and Bama won big in Curry's first season. In 1988 Derrick Thomas played perhaps the greatest game by a single defensive player in Alabama history, and the Tide won 8-3. Finally, Bama blocked a FG on the last play of the game in 1989 to remain undefeated and in the hunt for the national title.
Through it all, the fans of both schools developed genuine respect and even affection for one another. The competition was fierce, but I've never detected any of the nastiness that sometimes accompanies big-time games. I agree it's unlikely to happen, but another long-term series would be terrific for both schools and for all of college football!
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