Why Alabama players feel 'We're all we got'
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Anfernee Jennings was watching as television pundits debated Alabama’s playoff credentials during the College Football Playoff selection show earlier this month.
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He didn’t like everything he heard.
For a Crimson Tide team used to controlling its own destiny, watching other people decide its fate wasn’t a comfortable experience. Although, it might be one that helped Alabama come together more than ever.
“We were one decision away from not being here, so we’re taking advantage of it and we understand what’s in front of us and what we got to do,” Jennings said. “I mean you’ve seen the vote, you’ve seen how everybody was. We’re all we got.”
No. 4 Alabama will make its fourth straight appearance in the College Football Playoff as it takes on No. 1 Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. According to VegasInsider.com, the Crimson Tide is currently a three-point favorite heading into the rematch of the past two national championship games.
That might be true, but Alabama players have heard their fair share of criticism heading into the matchup as several analysts have gone back and forth on whether or not the Crimson Tide deserved to make the playoff.
Alabama became the second team to make the playoff despite not winning its conference championship game after Ohio State was the first team to do so last year. This season the Crimson Tide ruffled some feathers as it held off the Buckeyes for the final spot despite Ohio State winning the Big Ten Championship Game. Alabama now joins No. 3 Georgia in the playoff, marking the first time two teams from the same conference were selected.
The debate lit a fire under Alabama players who have taken on somewhat of an underdog mentality moving forward as they look to prove doubters wrong.
“I mean absolutely,” Jennings said. “I think a lot of people felt like we didn’t deserve to be in the playoff, but we felt like we should the whole time and we’re ready to go in and dominate.”
Jennings wasn’t the only player to notice the national criticism surrounding the Crimson Tide. Last week, Levi Wallace said Alabama was “seen as the villain” and stated several people “don’t like Alabama because we're always so good each and every year.” Those comments came after Minkah Fitzpatrick made similar statements when asked about Alabama’s nearly missing out on the playoff.
“People were counting us out that didn’t want us in there. Some people just don’t like us. It’s true. But I think it definitely helped as motivation and fuel, especially if we do what we’re supposed to do and get to where we want to be, I think it will help us a lot.”
While the negativity might have increased Alabama’s focus and unity, it isn’t exactly hard for players to get up for this year’s matchup against Clemson. After all, players still haven’t quite gotten over last season’s last-second defeat to the Tigers in the national championship game.
“We had a chip on our shoulder the whole offseason going into the offseason,” Jennings said. “We’re just ready to get out there. We know what this game means and we know what we got to do.”
Alabama players won’t have too long to wait until they get their shot to prove themselves on the field. The Crimson Tide will hold one more practice Friday before taking a three-day break for Christmas. After that, the team will hold another practice in Tuscaloosa on Dec. 26 before traveling to New Orleans the next day.
Alabama will play Clemson on Jan. 1 at 7:45 p.m. CT inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The game will be televised on ESPN.
"I think we're just ready to go out there and prove ourselves and just show the world what we can do, that we're not just a team that's going to lay down,” defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne said. “We're going to come out and fight."