The Alabama Crimson Tide dominated every area of the college football world over the last decade. From their consistently reloaded depth chart to multi-million dollar facilities the Tide's rule over the college football world remains unchallenged.
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However, there is one area where the Tide are absolutely atrocious. Call it nitpicking if you want, but it's the one thing Nick Saban's epic dynasty has been unable to find consistency doing over the last 10 years. Alabama field goal kickers are historically bad, and it's cost this dynasty even more wins than they've already earned.
On October 4, 2014, Crimson Tide kicker Adam Griffith missed from 46 yards on the first Alabama possession of the game, then missed from 51 yards on the opening drive of the second half. The Crimson Tide went on to lose that game to Ole Miss by a six point difference. The final score was 23-17.
Back on November 5, 2011, Cade Foster and Jeremy Shelley combined to go 2 for 6 on field goal attempts as Alabama lost to LSU 9-6 — It was the Alabama's only loss of their BCS Championship season.
On November 30, 2013, kicker Foster went 0 for 3 in Alabama's 34-28 loss to the Auburn Tigers. Well, you probably remember how Foster's last missed field goal ended up...
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Oh, here we go again! C'mon now. It's not like Alabama needs a kicker when they beat the brakes off everyone!"
To that remark, I say, "Touché." Alabama is so good that they typically beat their opponents by double-digit margins, so what does a couple points here and there really matter, right?
Take a look at these kicking numbers compiled since 2007. For an all-time great dynasty, it's mind-blowing for them have kicking numbers THIS bad such a vital aspect of the game.
The moral of this story is that Alabama's dynasty could somehow be even MORE prolific if they could find a legitimate kicker when they needed it most.
This year's kicker is senior Austin Jones, a transfer from Temple University who set the school record with 23 made kicks in 2015. Jones also set the school record with 19 consecutive makes in 2016.
Jones started the 2018 season 1-for-1 with a 39-yard make and connected on all six extra points in Alabama's 51-14 drubbing of Louisville.
Could Nick Saban finally have found his savior? Time will tell if Alabama's kicking woes finally have found their answer.
