As Alabama football fans came to realize last season, winning the Iron Bowl is added value. Championships are the measurement of a successful Alabama football season. Winning the SEC Championship still matters. What matters far more is the CFB Playoff and national championships. Winning the Iron Bowl, while still important because of the in-state rivalry, is more like cake icing.
After the LSU and Mississippi State shutouts, there was a broad perspective Alabama football was a virtual CFB Playoff lock. Then, the Crimson Tide wallowed around Bryant-Denny for a half against FCS opponent, The Citadel. The national perspective about the Tide’s Playoff future became fragmented.