The Alabama Crimson Tide football team is many things. Very rarely, if ever, are they any kind of underdog. But don’t tell that to linebacker Will Anderson.
While people were ready to discount the Crimson Tide earlier this season when they weren’t blowing out opponents, things shook out the way we always knew they would. Alabama beat Georgia for the SEC Championship and found themselves as the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. They’ll now play the Cincinnati Bearcats for the chance to play for another national title.
The Tide is not only the top seed but everyone assumes they’re going to mop the floor with the Bearcats, the first non-Power 5 program to make it into the CFP. Alabama is favored by almost two touchdowns and it would be shocking if they didn’t win this game.
But as far as Anderson is concerned, it is Alabama who is the true underdog.
Will Anderson on going from being the underdog against Georgia to the favorite against Cincinnati: “I still feel like we are still the underdog in this game. I feel like we’ve been disrespected all year.”
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) December 27, 2021
“I still feel like we are still the underdog in this game,” said Anderson. “I feel like we’ve been disrespected all year.”
Anderson, continued: "We love it. It just fuels us up even more. We know what type of team we have."
— Dean Straka (@DWStraka49) December 27, 2021
Anderson has a point, in a sense. Alabama has been talked down about for much of the season. But it’s all relative. Everyone still knew they were Alabama. It’s not like people were talking about them as if they were at the bottom of the conference.
As far as that translating to being an “underdog,” well, that’s just classic Nick Saban thinking. Nobody loves to play the disrespect card more than Saban and he’ll take any chance he can get to use it as motivation for his players.
Also, it’s worth noting that Cincinnati has been literally been fighting “they don’t belong here” comments all season long. It’s impressive to find a way to see yourself as the underdog against that.
Anderson’s comments certainly caused a stir on social media amongst college football fans.
When will people stop making the mistake of disrespecting the Tide https://t.co/V75r6TS1ie
— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) December 27, 2021
Uh sir youre 13 point favorites. https://t.co/K7QwmHTgEi
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) December 27, 2021
Defending national champs, No. 1 in the talent composite, SEC champs, No. 1 seed, 13.5-point favorite by Vegas oddsmakers, and Saban has his team thinking they're underdogs/disrespected.
Man's an absolute menace 😂 https://t.co/NwktneMzVm
— Derek Peterson (@dr_petey) December 28, 2021
The poor, disrespected underdog has to give 13.5.
OK. https://t.co/TXWQVC7XkR— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzATL) December 27, 2021
The No. 1 team in the country. https://t.co/zThRpOGO4r
— Johnathan McGinty (@johnemcginty) December 27, 2021
Hey, whatever motivates you to get the win, that’s why Alabama is Alabama.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.