Alabama Football: You Call Yourself a Crimson Tide Fan?

So, you think you're an Alabama fan? The word 'fan' implies you're fanatical about your team. Test your knowledge of your beloved Crimson Tide with this quick pre-season quiz.

With less than a month from the kickoff of the 2011 season, here is a chance to prove you are what you say you are--someone who bleeds crimson and white.

Besides, what else are you gonna do while waiting for tidbits of rumors from the first weeks of fall practice? At the end of the slide show, see what your score says about your knowledge of Alabama football.   

Question One-Coaches

First question: Which Alabama head coach since 1958 has had a losing record in Southeastern Conference play?

Hint: His overall record at the Capstone was 26-14.

Answer: Mike Shula

Mike Shula was only 13-19 against SEC competition. Mike DuBose was .500 against inter-league foes (16-16), but he had a much worse overall record than Shula at 24-23.  No head coach has had an overall losing record at Alabama since J.B. Whitworth went 4-24-2 in the years before Coach Bryant came to Tuscaloosa.  

Question Two-Rankings

Question:  Before the championship season of 2009, what was the last time the Crimson Tide finished the USA Today Coaches' final rankings in the top five?

Hint:  It's been since the 1992 championship.

Answer: 1994

'Bama finished the 1994 season at #4.  Since then, the Tide saw a #11 ranking in 1996, moved up to a #8 in both 1999 and 2005, and ended at #6 in 2008.

And then there was 2009, of course.

Question Three-Bowl Games

Alabama has played one bowl game against an SEC opponent.  Name the opponent and the bowl.  If you know the year, you prove yourself a true fan!

HINT:  It was during the Coach Bryant era.

Answer: Ole Miss in the 1964 Sugar Bowl

The game between the Rebels and  Tide was an odd one for many reasons. It snowed in New Orleans that week. The two teams had not played in twenty years, and Coach Bryant had the game agreed to several weeks before the end of the regular season.  'Bama had not been an underdog in years, but Old Miss opened as a 7 1/2 point favorite.

Despite being in the middle of some of the best years of Alabama football, the season had been a disappointing one for Alabama. The team finished ranked #8 (Ole Miss, undefeated, was ranked #7) with an 8-2 record.

Nevertheless, and even with a suspended Joe Namath on the sidelines, Alabama beat the Rebels 12-7 behind Tim Davis's 4 field goals.

NOTE: Arkansas has played Alabama two times in bowl games (with the Tide winning both) before the Hogs became SEC members.

Question Four-Honors & Accolades

Of the following post-season awards, which one has NOT been won by an Alabama player?

Maxwell Award, Jim Thorpe Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and the Lott Trophy

BONUS: Name the Alabama players who won the awards from the list above.

Answer: the Maxwell Award

Yes, surprisingly, no Alabama player has ever won the Maxwell, presented to the nation's outstanding college football player.

Antonio Langham won the Thorpe in 1993, Jay Barker won the Unitas in 1994, and DeMeco Ryans won the Lott in 2005.

And no 'Bama man has ever hoisted the Doak Walker, Rimington, Groza or Guy awards.

Question Five-Quarterbacks

Which Alabama quarterback holds the school records for total offense in a game, yards passing in a game, and pass attempts in a game?

HINT:  All three of these records were set in the same game.

BONUS:  Against what team were these records set? 

Answer: Scott Hunter

Scott Hunter set these amazing school single-game records against-you guessed it-Auburn.

In 1969, Hunter dazzled the Iron Bowl crowd by tossing for 484 yards on 55 attempts. His sack loss yards caused his record setting total offense production to drop to a mere 457 yards.

Oh yes, Alabama beat Auburn 49-26 that year in what is the highest scoring match in the rivalry thus far.

Question Six-Rivals

Which of the following rivalries has seen more games: Alabama verses Ole Miss, Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn, or Mississippi State?

HINT: Keep your friends close...

Answer: Mississippi State Bulldogs

...and your enemies closer. Perhaps the proximity to Starkville helped Alabama play the Bulldogs 95 times, two times more than the Tide has played Tennessee.

The series began in 1896, and it has seen Alabama triumph in 75 of those contests with three of them resulting in a ties.

By the way, the Tide has played Vanderbilt more times than it has played Florida, Auburn, LSU, or Georgia.

How Did You Fare?

If you scored six out of six on this quiz, congrats!  You're a die-hard 'Bama fan who can hold his head high. Feel free to strut your knowledge on the message board of your choice.

5 out of 6:  Well done. You've done your team proud. There's no denying that you love the Tide dearly.

4 out of 6:  Not at all bad. You can say you know a good deal about your team.

3 out of 6:  You can leave the 'Bama bumper sticker on your vehicle, but take down the flags from your side windows.

2 out of 6:  Grab an Alabama football history book and start studying. Now!

1 out of 6:  Are you sure you're not an Auburn troll? 

0 out of 6:  Step away from the hounds-tooth hat. You're not worthy.