Turning of the Tide: How Alabama’s 2008 season changed college football

The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide team doesn’t have its name plastered across the walls of Alabama’s multi-million dollar football facility, but without the foundation built by that team, many of the championships that now decorate those walls may never have come to Tuscaloosa. It was a season that ended in bitter disappointment with a heartbreaking loss to the eventual national champions led by a legendary quarterback. That disappointment would become the fuel that drove Nick Saban’s program to its first national championship in 17 years.

Welcome to Turning of the Tide, in which AL.com’s Sports Video team brings you an in-depth look at Alabama’s 2008 football season and how it set the stage for the decade to come in college football.

This documentary, which has been years in the making, features interviews with players, coaches and other key figures who witnessed the transformation of the Tide first hand.

In Part 1 of the series, we looked back at the arrival of Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa and how the coach’s first full recruiting class in February of 2008 transformed the program almost overnight. In Part 2, we took a look at a pair of early games against top 10 opponents took Alabama from being a college football dark horse to a full-blown contender for the national championship. And in Part 3, we look at the ultimate test that 2008 Alabama team faced and how losing that battle helped the Crimson Tide win the war.

[h.b.]

I will always enjoy what the 2008 team represented. Those guys bought in and maximized their talents, with most of the roster being filled with 3-stars, 4-stars, and a handful of 5-stars with great senior leadership.

[chrismarciatetisindles]

The 2008 team was special. The fact Saban won 5 in 14 yrs with the playoff change shows just how dominant they are. If you count the last year at LSU he'd won 7. That's mind boggling.

[mattmann]

ROLL TIDE ALL THE WAY...MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

[screamingeagle]

I never forget when Coach showed up, I had a great feeling about this Man. I said wouldn't be nice to have a super coach lol, and he exceeded my expectations

[rickandbonnie]

Whoever made this should be very proud. Loved it!

[paulrobinson]

Here we are 4 games into the 2021 season and Bama dynasty is still going strong. 6 National Titles in 12 years. Played for 2 more. Won 7 SEC Championships and 3 Heisman Trophies . Now, Bryce Young looks like he might win a 4th Heisman and Coach Saban's 7th National Title at Bama.

[matthewfranklin]

ROLLL TAAHD and merry Christmas

Great vid

[theoneandonly]

Nothing crazier than the stretch of when Saban made 4 consecutive national championship appearances. That’s a crazy feat

[jamestucker]

I've always said the 2008 season was a turning point they let the world know that the TIDE was back🎉❤ROLL TIDE 🎉❤

[chrismarciatetisindles]

They were so dominant they tried to change to the CFP and they still won championships. Hes the 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 But everyone forgets he cut his teeth under Belichik in Cleveland. Look where that group of coaches is now. Amazing

[chrisrogers]

I still believe that Saban lost to Louisiana Monroe in 2007 on purpose, to teach the players how important it is to prepare for each opponent the same no matter who they are. He did the same thing while coaching at LSU, when he lost to UAB. Same results.... a couple years later his motivation got them to win a National Title!

[therealtinytalk]

And he won it all in his 3rd year for Paul’s information. 14-0 SEC/BCS CHAMPS 2009

[kfg]

Wow!! I love it! Roll Tide to all! Merry Christmas!

[stancurry]

Finding this documentary series is very upsetting as a Florida fan lol. Especially one who grew up in the urban era.

[linokakiva]

Amen 2008 team is the foundation of saban era🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Cabbieghost]

I was there for the Mike Shula years. This was the season immediately after I graduated.

[bradbilkingtonsonmon]

It started in Foley, AL. Don’t get it twisted

[byrondcarroll]

I had seen Michigan State win a game (I think it was against Michigan) and I thought he was the coach we needed. At the time Bama seemed big on staying in the family and I didn't think they would get him.

[alabamareaper]

Any person who cares so much about winning - that along the way helps Guys become Men in our society = is fine by me - I support

[BobPapadopoulos]

Years later and still people don't get Saban's comments. When he said that he was responding to rumors, and at that point in time it's all they were... just rumors. He'd not met with the University or interviewed for the job. He was just the Dolphins coach. His agent realized the rumors were probably coming from the school having interest, and so he finally talked Saban into meeting with them.

Yet people still act like he was just lying a decade later.