Football in Alabama is aiming for its No. 19 national championship, seventh under Nick Saban and fourth in the college football playoffs era this fall.
Coach Saban has the staff, players and coaches capable of lifting the CFP trophy, and the Crimson Tide are determined to redeem themselves after losing to Georgia in the title game. He won’t be the reason Alabama might win a national championship this season, but Justin Thomas and Crimson Tide Football have a great relationship. Thomas and Saban love the golf course, and the two-time PGA Championship graduate is from Alabama. Thomas learned a lot from Saban and he also stuck to the coach’s “24 hour rule” to celebrate a championship. Inspiration came from several areas of the Crimson Tide national title runs. Could Thomas Be Alabama’s Next Fortune? History says it could be him.
Alabama won a national championship when Thomas was honored in golf. Thomas won the Haskins Award in 2012, which goes to the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the United States. Saban followed Thomas’ efforts by winning the second of consecutive BCS National Championships that fall. Thomas brought in several awards 2017 – including FedEx Cup Champion, PGA Tour Leading Money Winner, PGA Player of the Year, PGA Tour Player of the Year and PGA Championship.
Thomas’s success rubbed off on the football team as Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa led the Crimson Tide to a CFP National Championship. Tagovailoa entered the matchup against Georgia in the second half and gave the team a 26-23 comeback win in overtime. Thomas was named PGA Player of the Year in 2020 for the second time in his professional career. Mac Jones led Alabama football to an undefeated national championship in 2020 as a freshman quarterback. When Thomas wins something in golf, it brings good fortune to Crimson Tide football. Last week he clinched his second PGA Championship.
Will Alabama Football Win a National Title This Fall? We will see. Summer workouts and fall camp are coming soon.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him. Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
