Old School: Bear Bryant Sifts Through the Ashes, 1967

"Old School" is the College Football FanHouse's irregular look back at the rich history of college football, usually through the medium of embeddable flash video. Check out the Old School archive for more famous plays and infamous hair.

The Tide entered 1967 with enormous expectations after an undefeated1966 season that ended in outrage and disappointment. Ken Stabler returned; Alabama was outraged after Bryant's bid for a third straight national title ended in controversy. Voters awarded it to Notre Dame despite Ara Parseghian playing for a tie in the 1966 "Game of the Century" (of the year) against Michigan State. Cue the first stirrings of SEC paranoia.

Anyway, the stakes were high. Alabama fell flat with a devastating tie against a Florida State team that opened its season with a 20-point loss to Houston. Bear was a picture of composure in the aftermath:

No, the defense did not play particularly well. 'Bama would end up 8-2-1, though they would claim a national championship anyway.*

*(Ha. Not true. Yet. Check back next year.)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-09-2008 @ 4:29PM

awbe said...

SO WHAT'S NEW WITH THE BAMMERS CLAIMING A M.N.C.??

2-09-2008 @ 6:58PM

Charlie said...

i think they said they have one in recruiting. LOL. That's what I saw on a lot of message boards...

2-09-2008 @ 6:55PM

tidesalive said...

alots new with bama homo. whats new with cow town and their mythical half title. you idiots including the the author will never understand the the tradition as great as the university of ALABAMA. But hey half titles are an accomplishment as well i guess.say it with me awbe....my name is awbe and i am we todd did....why yes..yes u awe

2-09-2008 @ 7:03PM

our recruiting went pretty well loser ...... how did urs turn out?

2-09-2008 @ 10:07PM

i didn't say your recruiting went bad, genius. I answered a question. BTW we ended in the Top 25. And it only matters what you do with those recruits on the field, and we kicked your tail.

2-11-2008 @ 6:45AM

KMAC said...

IT DOES NOT MATTER ABOUT BAMA THIS AND BAMA THAT. LSU RULES THE SEC....FOLLOWED BY FLORIDA. THE BEAR ERA WAS NO DIFFERANT THAN TEXAS-OHIO STATE-OKLAHOMA and USC FROM BACK IN THAT ERA. ALL CHEATERS WHO GOT AWAY WITH ALOT. TAKING "NOTHING" AWAY FROM JUNCTION PAUL, BUT HE GOT EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING HE NEEDED OR WANTED, AND THE SAME WITH THOSE OTHER POWERHOUSES FROM "BACK IN THE DAY". YOU GUYS ARE AT LEAST 3-5 YEARS BEHIND BOTH OF THOSE SCHOOLS. TRAVELING SALESMAN SABAN WON'T BE THERE MUCH LONGER. HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE "WORST" COACH YOU COULD HAVE FOUND.

2-11-2008 @ 12:49PM

Clay said...

You're right Kmac. Bama is still a few years away from being in contention for a NC. Saban may very well leave after a few years, but if he leaves Bama in the same shape he left LSU then I have no problem with that. He's already brought in a top recruiting class in his first full year and had he not come to Bama we wouldn't even be having this conversation. He is already doing was he brought in to do. Roll Tide!!!!

2-14-2008 @ 9:52AM

Jeremy said...

Please direct me to where anyone from Alabama claims a National Championship in 1966 or 1967.

You'll hear a LOT of people say that we SHOULD have been have been awarded as champions in '66, but nobody claims that we actually were. You're the only asshat that I've seen that has ever even mentioned Alabama in '67.

FYI, Bear Bryant won 6 national championships: '61, '64, '65, '73, '78, and '79. Do you dispute that? I can send you a link if you would like. They are all API and UPI awards.

You're just another clown with an apparent hatred for Alabama, that's fine. That's what makes college football what it is....but at least get your facts right when you spew your hatred. It just shows everybody how credible your ignorant drivel really is.

As a parting shot, I'd like to remind you that your teams "famous" coach had a 5-12 record in bowl games and NEVER won a national title.

Get a haircut.

Have a nice day.

2-15-2008 @ 10:05PM

David said...

Alabama, the Yankees of college football. You either love'em, hate'em or envy'em!

That is why they have been on TV more than any other college football team.