The Tigers had finished strong in 2007 and entered the 2008 season with a Top 10 ranking. It seemed to be the perfect time for the Tigers to take on a marquee Southeastern Conference opponent at an N.F.L. stadium in a nationally televised game.
It turned out that Nick Saban and Alabama made the statement in the Georgia Dome.
Coming off a 7-6 season, the Crimson Tide crushed No. 9 Clemson, 34-10, and Saban’s Alabama dynasty was born.
“I didn’t expect that type of outcome,” said Greg McElroy, an Alabama quarterback in 2008 who is now an analyst for ESPN and the SEC Network.