1978 Sugar Bowl #3 Alabama vs #8 Ohio State

[@RedElephantStampede]

Back then it was a game of opinions, I suppose we all have one. 1964 Arkansas did finish 11-0 so they do have an argument. Sometimes the chips fall funny, like 2011 for Alabama. All the things that had to happen for the Tide to have a chance did happen. I suppose I'm most bitter about the 1966 Bama team that went 11-0 but finished 3rd behind 2 teams with 9-0-1 records. Oh well, no need to whine about it, it can't be changed.

[@BigRich1968]

woody hayes punched the goal post going in for half-time, my father worked at the superdome and saw it first hand. the goal post continued to move for a few seconds after that's how hard he punched it

[@mnezeran]

yeah. bama deserved to be national champions in 77 with notre dame. they both finished 11-1, both won their bowl games, bama was ranked higher going into the bowls, and they weren't able to play each other. just by default it should have been bama and ND in 77.

[@randalldenison4628]

1975-80 was a great run for the 🐻

[@sirfarquhar4441]

From my nosebleed seat , in the dome , there was a a clear distinction between Alabama and OSU . The Buckeyes were big and very talented , the Tide was very very disciplined . They moved about the field with precision and singularity of purpose .

[@darby5877]

As a member of the Alabama #58 I agree with you

[@RedElephantStampede]

I was 11 years old at the time of this game. Your assessment of it is perfect.

[@mws755]

Bear and his coaches did a great job preparing the passing game out of the wishbone. Not a an easy formation to throw out of. They really hurt defenses with that

[@well2thebone]

moving on

[@jerrynicholson4839]

HELL OF A GAME

[@bamabldr66]

I was at this game! Roll Tide Roll!!!!!

[@sportshistorybuff]

I recall Woody saying afterward that "We went at them with only 10% of our strength!" If true, I guess the Tide deserve the credit for preventing them from getting into their game plan and utilizing their assets.

[@teller121]

As a Tide fan, I must also point out Bear was vs 0-2 against Daryl Royal and TX. Of course, other than Bryant, Ara and Royal (and McKay) were the best coaches of that time (even including Woodie, imo). Both Ara losses and both Royal losses were razor thin. A forgotten reason ND is hated, however, is the nat'l ch'ship they were awarded in '66. Bama was 10-0, ND 9-0-1. Many down here think Bama was denied #3 in a row by northern writers due to having all-white team. Race politics tough in '66.

[@12106445]

@j627 It's not the first time that Alabama got screwed over for the National Championship. Back in 1966 Alabama went Untied and Undefeated. But Notre Dame along with Michigan St. were chosen as Co-National Champions after they both finished with a tie on their records. Even though Alabama had won the National Championship the previous two years.

[@derecknelson1892]

Those last five games were very dominant by bama as well. 1 score allowed in five games was hella good defense

[@larryc.3834]

Revealing that an offense derided by the lay public ('Bama's Wishbone triple option) as "boring" and "3 yards and a cloud of dust", etc produced many big plays/TDs through the air!

[@mikebauer8970]

buckeyemike here,much love for bama,we finally beat bama after 202 losses ,lolol ,God bless,roll tide,go bucks

[@pryingopenmythirdeye1830]

This must be from 2014 lol . I remember falling asleep and Bama was up 24-3 or something like that... woke up to see we lost and I almost called out of work

[@LarryRickenbacker]

Why more schools aren't using the Triple Option, I'll never know.

[@freedomrider266]

Simple...If you get behind to any team that can throw, you'll have a VERY difficult time winning...Or if you face a great defense, same result.

[@LarryRickenbacker]

@@freedomrider266 Q: Would you have our service academies-with their undersized linemen-running the trendy shotgun based offenses? I've lost count of the times service academy teams have used this giant-killer of an offense as a size equalizer, albeit not necessarily securing the upset. Our service academies have yet to create a defense that accounts for their lack of speed, size and depth, admittedly.

[@RedElephantStampede]

I think it was fairly obvious that the Tide program was a couple of steps ahead of the Bucs at that time. I think also adding to the equation was the fact that Michigan squandered OSU's Rose Bowl bids 2 years in a row, which had to hurt.

[@sportshistorybuff]

Woody's 5-6 bowl record is platinum compared to Bo's 5-11 mark, each winning only two Rose Bowls. It always seemed to me that USC, Washington would run circles around them in Pasadena, as if those Maize and Silver pants were too tight, there were too many slow Midwestern farm boys representing the Big Ten, or Bo and Woody focused their entire seasons on The Big One, with the bowl game being an afterthought, the team playing accordingly.

[@thinktwice8860]

Ruteledge had his worst game ever against Nebraska that year and threw 5 interceptions in Lincoln, and lost by a score. That was Bama’s only blemish, but it cost them the Natty that year. Watching Jeff in this game, you can see that his passing was quite on track! I think that OSU was expecting Bama to run in all goal line situations.

[@wildcowboy9330]

bear has been dead over 30yrs and still the greatest to walk the sidelines!! 6 national champions!! Rest in peace bear Bryant!!

[@scottallen6903]

Aaaaaaaap

[@johnmanning4097]

Not anymore Nick Saban has overtaking him Nick Saban is now the greatest

[@charliebaggett5485]

But Bammie has close to 8 fake nattys!!!-

[@well2thebone]

waiting for steve spurrier

[@DaveSmith-yi2pu]

Alabama deserved the National Title in 77 more than Notre Dame. Nebraska who beat Alabama was much better(9-3) than the 5-6 Ole Miss team who beat Notre Dame

[@vassiliosipov8889]

this was Woody Hayes worst loss ever. a year later he punched a Clemson player and was out of football afterward.

[@Kummeedeeyin]

Does anyone happen to know Nick Saban's record against notre dame? and his record in Bcs championship games? yeah, Roll Dynasty Roll!!!

[@lloydkline7245]

Battle of the college football coachs titans

[@sportshistorybuff]

Rutledge was never a star in the NFL, but I was really happy for him near the end of his career when he lead an incredible second half comeback, 4-5 TD's to win a game as a backup. Can't remember what team he was on by then.

[@RedElephantStampede]

sportshistorybuff very reliable as a kick holder though

[@robertvondran1317]

L.A. Rams

[@RedElephantStampede]

Indeed they did, 3 times. In the regular season in 1975 The Buckeyes defeated Penn State 17-9 at home. Next year they travelled to Penn State and defeated them 12-7. In 1978 Penn State shut out Ohio State 19-0 in the season oppener.

[@arrowjsmith153]

Northern Biased was big in the 70's costing Alabama the 75 and 77 National Titles. 1966 Alabama the only Undefeated and Untied team. The Left Northern Biased allowed ND to win the title without a perfect record.

[@allengreene9954]

Leave politics out of it......

[@BamaRewind]

Please upload the entire game if you have it. It's nowhere else to be found!

[@snuffysmith6842]

OSU out coached , out played , by best team in South .

[@craigkleber9316]

Forgot what a blowout this was

[@rogerbahakel]

i'm a big alabama fan and i watched this game when it happened but ohio state had just lost to michigan.yes we beat them bad that night but had we played them another time it would've been so easy.

[@RedElephantStampede]

Let's also keep are heads in this thing and realise that Ohio State was by no means a slouch. I mean it wasn't like Hayes had them finishing 6-5. They were in the running for the National Title for the previous 2 seasons.

[@BigRich1968]

I was ten years old in 1978 when woody hit that goal post my father said it sounded like a loud gunshot

[@well2thebone]

i was not alive

[@quincee33]

both bear bryant and woody hayes gave black players a fair shot compared to some schools.

[@randalldenison4628]

Gr8 to see woody Hayes on the sidelines looking clueless. His look was like idk what to do against these guys.

[@Gaderelli]

This was the year , that I jumped on the Red Elephants back !!! At 11 years old this Michigan native saw how the biased media cheated Alabama out of a Title. Here are the facts that show the crookedness that existed then. 1st- For five consecutive weeks Texas was rated #1 and Bama #2 in A.P.poll until the last regular season poll. With Oklahoma moving to second after being #3 for 4 weeks............ 2nd- For some *UNKNOWN reason Alabama dropped to #3 without losing . 3rd- Meanwhile N.Dame was #5 ! Michigan replaced osu at #4 after a close win. 4th- Oklahoma and Michigan lost bowl games. 5th- Bama CRUSHED Ohio St. 35-6 with second string playing in 4th quarter. 6th- #1 Texas was beat by N.Dame ( 35 degree weather in Cotton Bowl) Contributing to 6, yes 6 turnovers !!!!! 7th- Of course the Media did not take that into account, plus no Strength of Schedule etc, back then . Just the biggest scam of all time !!! This is why I love Bear Bryants statement after the game "We cant win a popularity contest" He knew . Heres to the playoffs and no more Irish scams. Roll Tide !!!

[@RedElephantStampede]

#5 Notre Dame DID destroy the #1 ranked team in the nation (Texas). A similar situation happened in 1983 when #3 Auburn beat Michigan in the Sugar Bowl 9-7. Meanwhile #5 Miami beat #1 Nebraska 31-30 while #2 Texas lost to Georgia 10-9. Once again #3 does not move to #1. The battle cry for 1977 was "if you beat #1 you should be #1". Well, 1978 whiny USC fans should remember that.

[@Gaderelli]

Notre Dame actually Did not Destroy Texas. The score was VERY deceiving. Texas turned the ball over 6 x. MAINLY because the unusual COLD WEATHER IN TEXAS !!! 30s which hurts the more athletic teams and evens the playing field. Even with the 6 turnovers, N.Dame only had 100 more yards total offense. "Bear" Bryant was quoted as saying after the polls came out......"we have never won any POPULARITY contests" Again, it was the MYSTERY last regular season poll that set it all up. You could see what was happening before it took place. ROLL TIDE ROLL !!!

[@RedElephantStampede]

Brian Unfortunately the pollsters looked at final scores back then and oh yeah, because it was Notre Dame.

[@RedElephantStampede]

You may have forgotten about our 31-24 loss at Lincoln to Nebraska.

[@RedElephantStampede]

Brian Roll Tide Roll indeed. However, 38-10 is an ass-whipping.

[@44032]

37 years makes quite a difference.

[@RedElephantStampede]

Indeed it does. Perhaps we'll meet again in the near future.

[@RedElephantStampede]

***** What a helluva game that was.

[@RedElephantStampede]

***** 1986 as well in the kickoff classic 16-10.

[@RedElephantStampede]

Steven Chappell Also the 1995 Citrus Bowl which the Tide won 24-17.

[@DemDawwwgsEPIC-BEATDOWN]

yea congrats to Bammie for beating a shit 9-3 Ohio St. team in a meaningless Bowl game with (of course)no national title on the line..... in addition, an ''''over the hill''''' Woody who would be fired in 1 short year!

[@wesleyfinnen6685]

Do you have any highlights from 1987 or 88 season ??

[@DexterHaven]

People should still use the wishbone. As a surprise at least.

[@LarryRickenbacker]

Agreed. Back in 2003, Bill Yeaoman told me that today's defenses lack the discipline and the experience to deal with the triple option.

[@DexterHaven]

I wish Bill Belichick would use it with the Patriots in the last 2 minutes of a play-off game. Three backs: Patterson, Devlin, White. @@LarryRickenbacker

[@paulsonj72]

QJR33 -Opening game of the 1978 Season Ohio St and Penn St played. Penn St shut out the Buckeyes 19-0

[@charliebaggett5485]

Did Bammie claim another fake natty after this game??

[@quincee33]

didn't the buckeyes play USC for the national championship in the 70's? i seem to remember USC won by a late TD and 2 point convert...but i could be wrong....did woody hayes ever win the national championship? i don't seem to remember him winning...nor michigan with bo schembechler....

[@craigkleber9316]

Hates won three times. Last one being 1968

[@craigkleber9316]

USC and OSU played in 4 1970s Rose Bowls. USC win in 1972 42-17, 1974 18-17 and 1980 (79’season) 17-16. OSU win 1973 meeting 42-21. In two of those games a national champion emerges. 1972 and 74 Trojans.

[@randyjames693]

Woody didn't even punch anyone, probably out of respect for the Bear

[@brucedavis3816]

Yea it was cotton sugar rose the orange bowl on new years day for so many years now???? I don't know who is with who Amy mores@!@

[@j627]

jesus no wonder the older generation of bama fans hate notre dame...5th to 1st???? WTF???

[@DerikSchneider]

Alabama looking for another FBS National Championship in 1978

[@blackmonkeyops]

we have way more national champoionships so why u even talking about ND

[@quincee33]

thanks for that, i actually came on here to ask what bear's record was against ara parsegian....i know bear bryant never lost to joe paterno...had no idea he never beat the irish.....do you happen to know what year USC beat Ohio St. for the National Championship in the 70s????

[@chrislane5145]

ohio state getting destroyed by the Alabama passing game is nothing new.

[@BarryPatterson114]

Hi. Are you taking about the video I was commenting on? I knew that. I was just making a poor joke about the day he kinda lost it. Didn't mean to offend you and I DID feel bad that such a great career became a source for humor. He deserved better than that. I enjoyed your upload. Hope this misunderstanding won't hurt a chance for friendship. Thanks for sharing your videos.

[@quincee33]

did ohio state ever play penn st. in the 70's?

[@BarryPatterson114]

Woody didn't hit ANYONE that day, Neither did his players.

[@mikebenefield8477]

Did Woody Hayes hit anybody in this game? LOL

[@DemDawwwgsEPIC-BEATDOWN]

should have retired after this , Woody was past it...

[@BarryPatterson114]

It seems I am always 'on the wrong foot'. I gave you ALL credit for the video. My only 'input' was a comment. My 2nd reply to your was "Thanks for sharing YOUR videos." Causing a problem NEVER entered my mind. If you would like me to unsubscribe I will follow your instructions. I WILL miss it, it's very good. If I did something wrong please accept my sincere apology and tell me how to set it right. God Bless you and your Home.

[@randalldenison4628]

Shame this team got royally screw out of the national title.

[@Flashy9824]

Top 5 programs in history 1usc 2notre dame 3oklahoma 4michigan 5ohio st

[@RedElephantStampede]

+Flashy9824 Got 4 in 7 years?

[@Flashy9824]

+RedElephantStampede no but we got 7 heisman 90 1st team all Americans 80 1st round draft picks and 12 nfl hall of famers soon to be 13 when polamalu eligible all number 1 ranks you were saying?

[@RedElephantStampede]

I was saying got 4 in seven years? Isn't that what it's all about? winning the National Championship? Individual awards mean ass to me. This sport is a TEAM sport. The end end goal? To be the best TEAM. Choke on that slapnuts.

[@BamaRewind]

+Flashy9824 Compared to USC, Alabama has more overall wins, bowl appearances, bowl victories, national titles, and weeks ranked in the Top 25. They also lead the all-time series with USC by a margin of 5-2. USC has the edge in individual player accomplishments, but Alabama clearly has the edge where it really matters.

[@mikebenefield8477]

+Flashy9824 You can have the Heismans. Bama will take the NCs.

[@gregorypatton4706]

Woody Hayes was still a crybaby back then I'm glad at Alabama stomped them 35 to 6 I never respected Woody Hayes the way he treated his players in the media

[@BarryPatterson114]

Hello, again. Actually, I meant it to be funny. From the tone of your reply, I was afraid you had misunderstood and thought I was being mean spirited-which I didn't mean to be. Thanks for letting me know I didn't make you mad. Guess I should have known that RedElephantStampede HAD to be a BIG BAMA fan. I'm 60 and been Roll Tiding!! since I was 8 years old. Sorry I confused you.

[@arrowjsmith153]

Most AP Titles By School. It sure as hell isn't Choklahoma. Alabama by a mile. Alabama: 10 (1961, 1964, 1965, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015) 16 Titles.. Notre Dame: 8 (1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988) 27 year absents... Oklahoma: 7 (1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000) 16 Year absents Choked.. Miami (Fla.): 5 (1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001) 15 Year absents Missing In Action... USC: 5 (1962, 1967, 1972, 2003, 2004) 12 year absents all kinds of NCAA trouble.... Minnesota: 4 (1936, 1940, 1941, 1960) DOA since 1960. Not an elite Program today. Nebraska: 4 (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995) 21 year absent and there is not light ahead.... Ohio State: 4 (1942, 1954, 1968, 2002, 2014) Getting it done along with Alabama.....

[@steve-lovemybuckeyes-deace7723]

Bammie only has 10 legit titles, none in baseball and basketball.. Ohio State 9 football titles and 1 in baseball and 1 in basketball for a total of 11.......looks like this inbred trailerpark Bammie boy didn't complete his 4th grade trailerpark schooled education...

[@allengreene9954]

Buckeye Dynasty Not many Alabama fans are known for their brightness. The Auburn tree poisoner is a clear example of stupid.

[@michaelbaker8633]

Buckeye Dynasty kindly name Blowhio Sts "9 football titles" clown....

[@jeffharrison1277]

When it is volunteers vs draft dodgers,this is the usual outcome.

[@curt9094]

Notre Dame beat #1 texas at basically their home field, and both teams played in the cold. alabama lost to Nebraska regular season, which finished with 3 losses. the tide losing to an inferior buckeye team from an inferior league, thereby makes it an easier assignment. Pretty easy decision made in the polls that year using the logic posted below.

[@Bamruff62]

Alabama lost to Ohio St? Alabama blew away #8 Ohio St. in the Sugar Bowl winning 35-6, and trust me the score could of easliy have been 45-6. Look at the video again. Alabama won this game! Alabama was #3 in the Polls and Notre Dame was at #5. It was the first Time a team jumped from #5 all the way to #1 and captured a Unanimous Title. (1983 Miami only other team in AP and UPI history to do it.) Alabama lost to Nebraska in Lincoln in the closing minutes of the game by a td. ND lost to Miss St., a team Alabama beat earliar in the season. But ND beat the sole Undefeated #1 team in a major bowl game. The AP and UPI said if you beat the sole undefeated #1 team in a bowl game and finish with a winning record just as good if not better than all remaining teams you get the Title. They said beating the #1 team is significant. O.K. Fine. Lets remember that when it comes to the next year, the 1978 season. The Alabama/USC controversy.

[@RedElephantStampede]

Bamruff62 Ole Miss not MSU. The Tide buried Ole Miss 34-13 while Notre Dame lost to the rebels 13-20.

[@darby5877]

The same Saturday we lost to Nebraska, ND lost to Olé Miss a team we beat the week before by 23 pts

[@RedElephantStampede]

darby5877 Close, we did maul Ole Miss 34-13 while the Irish lost 13-20 to Ole Miss. After the 1978 bowl games were done, Notre Dame coach Dan Devine was quoted as saying "if you beat #1 you should be #1". So, Notre Dame went from #5 to #1 because of their 38-10 whipping of #1 Texas in the Cotton Bowl. The next year #2 Alabama beats #1 Penn State in the Sugar Bowl but USC fans still think they should be the LONE National Championship team because they beat us in the regular season?

[@Britton_Thompson]

+RedElephantStampede USC couldn't control their own destiny that season by losing to an unranked, 4-loss Arizona State team during October. They could have been the lone champs but they blew it. Alabama lost to that great USC team in week 3 sure, but they also had the better win of the two by beating that supposedly unstoppable #1 Penn State team in the Sugar Bowl that year; the year Penn State was supposed to exorcise all their demons of championship-snubs-past. With such a kooky system CFB had in place during those years, a split title is quite logical when you consider Bama's win & USC's loss. Regardless, Alabama is going to whip USC's ass week 1 in Dallas next year!

[@randalldenison4628]

Bear Bryan destroyed woody Hayes.

[@kennyvadasy5628]

Woody Hayes Not a good coach #RollTide

[@RedElephantStampede]

No the Irish beat Bama 37-6 in 1987.

[@todiathink8864]

Those teams were made up of Bama boys!

[@Baerdogy]

Over Rated State = tOSU; and it continues on 35 years later. Woody Hayes had a losing bowl record. He was 5-6. Just goes to show you that when tOSU plays out of the pathetic big 10 they can't dominate.

[@Salticid68]

No, SEC is overrated. Some years, they were great. Most years, they were below average. Mich (the most winning program), tOSU, Wisc, Neb, MSU have been consistently good every year or almost every year for decades. Miss St or Ole Miss barely beat Toledo a few years ago. SEC, except LSU, still refuse to play at B1G territory. LSU lost to tOSU at Columbus. B1G teams had and still have to play at bowls in SEC territory. Sugar Bowl is little less than 300 miles from Tuscaloosa and 917 miles from Columbus. Didn't tOSU play at LSU's backyard not long ago? What happened to principal that bowls should be at neutral sites? In my book, cheaters lose! Paul Bryant had players practiced like hell. One or two years ago, Ala players took fake performance drugs with intention to break rules and Ala got away. Ohio State players traded mere trinkets for regrettable tattoos and tOSU got harshly punished. Ala U is smaller than tOSU and it spends higher percents of its budget for Saban and its football. You're pathetic.

[@RedElephantStampede]

Evan Johnson Oh hell no, not another mental midget. "What happened to the principal that bowls should be played on neutral sites?" How many years (or decades) did USC play in their backyard in the Rose Bowl? How about Texas in the Cotton Bowl? Miami in the Orange? Oh but as you say "cheaters lose". Correct, that is why USC is beneath rubble. As a matter of fact the last time they were a thought in the public's head was when Vince Young ran into the end zone to bury them. As for OSU I have nothing but respect for that program and their coach who has won 36 games in the last 3 years. 300 miles, 900 miles...let's play some football and may the best team win.

[@RedElephantStampede]

Evan Johnson Who's got the most, who's the best, who has the bigger dick, doesn't matter. We've got this many, you've got that many, they've got this many, who gives a flying fuck? It's College football, it's competition. Championships are won and change happens. Can't you dullards see that the media feeds off of hype?

[@12106445]

The way Bama played on that day it really would not have mattered where the location would have been.

[@1997goblue]

@12106445 yeah it was because alabama was all white

[@dukemoose1307]

UAT

[@chrislane5145]

Alabama 52 - usc 6 still crying like a little bitch.

[@panthercreek60]

How great was the Bear? He was still winning championships with white boys. LoL!

[@mwm5942]

hahaha yeah.... you're funny