2007. Nick Saban’s first season at Alabama. The Savior of Alabama Football had returned from his stint in the NFL to reconquer the kingdom of college and restore rightful ruler Alabama to its throne.
Things began promisingly enough. Then the unthinkable happened.
The Tide, favored by 25 points and playing at home in Tuscaloosa, choked. Mind you, the 2007 Crimson Tide was not the loaded behemoth of a football team we see today. But still no one gave Louisiana Monroe any chance of winning 21-14 in Bama’s backyard.
And yet, it happened. It happened when Appalachian State knocked off Michigan that same year.