By Luke Brumm
As everyone now knows, Nick Saban retired following the completion of the 2023 season. The legendary coach boasts a 201-29 overall record with the Tide, including ten SEC West titles, nine SEC Championships, and six National titles. He also has a 16-7 record in all bowl games. This all came after a National Championship as the head coach of LSU, and a stint in the NFL. Saban is undoubtedly the greatest college football coach of all time. The numbers speak for themselves. There are more than enough games to choose from, but I’ve trimmed it down to the top five games of his career.
5. Alabama vs Georgia 2012 SEC Championship
This game was a classic and one that many people believed would determine who won the national championship that season. Georgia was ranked third with Alabama second. Both teams were 11-1, the Dawgs only lost a road game to a good South Carolina while Saban’s team was upset by Heisman winner Johnny Manziel.
Both teams were really good and the game went back and forth until Alabama was able to get a stop near the goal line as time expired. The Tide came away victorious, 32-28.
4. Alabama vs LSU 2012 National Championship
This game was a rematch of the 9-6 overtime game that these two played in Tuscaloosa earlier that season, with LSU winning that one. Saban and Alabama showed up in New Orleans looking for revenge and they got it. This was the Tyron Mathieu lead, undefeated, LSU Tigers team that looked nearly unbeatable. They may have gone into the game thinking that, but were quickly taught otherwise as the Crimson Tide dominated the Tigers’ offense and won 21-0.
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3. Alabama vs Florida 2009 SEC Championship
This was the official coming out party for Saban’s Alabama. They were really good the year prior but fell short to Tim Tebow and Florida in the SEC Championship. A lot of people didn’t think they could get past the Gators. The Tide got their rematch in the 2009 SEC Championship and took full advantage of it. This was the game where you saw Tim Tebow crying on the sidelines and the origin of the greatest college football dynasty. Alabama came away with the 32-13 win and then went and played the next game on the list.
2. Alabama vs Texas 2010 National Championship
The National Championship was for the 2009 season, although it technically was played in 2010. This was right after Bama beat Florida and now they had to face another legendary college quarterback. Well, at least for one drive. Colt McCoy was knocked out of the game on the Longhorn’s first possession and never returned. This opened up the doors for Alabama to win by 16 points and get Saban his first championship at Alabama. Heisman winner Mark Ingram had a great game to help lead Alabama to the 37-21 win.
1. Alabama vs Georgia 2017 National Championship
This game is one of the best National Championships of all time and ended on one of the most famous plays of all time too. Kirby Smart and Georgia were a surprise team and made it all the way to the title game in just his second year as head coach. He was now taking on his former boss, Nick Saban.
It looked as if Smart might have his number until Saban and then-backup Tua Tagovailoa worked his magic and Alabama came back to force overtime. Alabama eventually faced a 2nd and 26 when Tagovailoa found Devonta Smith and became legends. They connect on a deep bomb to walk off with the win. This was Saban’s fifth ring in Tuscaloosa and a game I’m sure people will remember forever.
