COLUMN: Championship arrives - leave the asterisks at home
Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have completed preparations for Monday’s CFP National Championship game against Ohio State. (Unv. Alabama Media Relations)
By GRAHAM DUNN
Coaches Ryan Day and Nick Saban went to the podium one more time early Sunday to get in a few more answers to questions that – more than likely – have already been asked.
Right down to the question of “What will you do if you win the coin toss?” it seems like every nook and cranny has been explored heading into Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship game at 7 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Nothing is being left to chance as far as the media is concerned.
It’s also interesting how the media from different parts of the country have approached the respective coaches.
Ohio reporters seem to have a more spirited “can you do it? – yes you can” attitude while others, who have dealt specifically with Saban before, kept up their guard when asking questions.
One thing is certain – the mutual admiration society was open this week and no one wanted to create any ideas of bulletin board material unlike Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, who went into the Sugar Bowl already having to explain why he chose to rank his opponent 11th, knowing he would face them in the next game.
It might not have made a difference then but nobody has been taking any chances now. All seemed to be on their best behavior – or it could be both teams truly have a lot of respect for the other.
There hasn’t been a scribe in the history of football to know exactly what might happen prior to a kickoff, although a few will provide their own “told you so” moment if given the chance.
This championship has its own unique qualities, most notably the fact that the Buckeyes have played just seven games as opposed to Bama’s 12. Does that give either one an advantage? Depends on whom you ask.
Day made one interesting comment last week regarding how his team has responded to the situation dealt by COVID-19. He was asked about how stressful the season had been and Day gave what sounded like a straight-forward answer until maybe reading between the lines…
“I think going through this time has made our guys stronger mentally,” he said. “They've been able to sustain through a lot of tough times and adversity, so that's been one of the silver linings here.”
Mental strength has been huge for everyone this season. Ohio State and Alabama may have handled it better than anybody else, producing undefeated seasons. Under any circumstances, that’s difficult. Under 2020 conditions, it’s truly monumental.
It took me back to the year 2011 when Alabama won the national title the year after the tornadoes hit Tuscaloosa. Among those killed were six University of Alabama students.
While this situation is different, it has the same feeling in that teams must move past a unique difficulty to play a game.
This year’s championship will have a different look 20 years from now. Although we will never forget what 2020 and beyond has been like, chances are pretty good that history will treat it like any other game. The winner will be applauded just like previous champions maybe with a little more fervor.
A few have attempted to put an asterisks on this season already, but the fact is winning this year will have been more difficult than most.
That’s what all of Monday’s players should consider when they take the field for the final time.