2014Alabama Crimson Tide football
SEC champion SEC Western Division champion
SEC Championship Game,W 42–13 vs.Missouri
Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal), L 35–42 vs.Ohio State
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Western Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 4
AP	No. 4
CFP	No. 1
Record	12–2 (7–1 SEC)
Head coach	Nick Saban (8th season)
Offensive coordinator	Lane Kiffin (1st season)
Offensive scheme	West Coast,pro-style
Defensive coordinator	Kirby Smart (8th season)
Base defense	3–4
MVP	Amari Cooper
Captain	Landon Collins Amari Cooper Jalston Fowler Blake Sims
Home stadium	Bryant–Denny Stadium
Seasons ← 2013 2015 →

The2014 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented theUniversity of Alabama in the2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It marked the Crimson Tide's 120th overall season, 81st as a member of theSoutheastern Conference (SEC) and its 23rd within the SECWestern Division. The team was led by head coachNick Saban, in his eighth year, and played its home games atBryant–Denny Stadium inTuscaloosa, Alabama.

The Alabama Crimson Tide were 12–2 overall and 7–1 in SEC regular season. The Crimson Tide won the SEC Western Division title for the tenth time, advancing to their ninth SEC Championship Game, where they defeatedMissouri 42–13. The Crimson Tide played in the inauguralCollege Football Playoff as the #1 seed, netting a berth in the CFP semifinal2015 Sugar Bowl, where they were defeated by the #4 seedOhio State Buckeyes 42–35.

At the start of fall camp on August 1, coach Saban announced Jarran Reed, Brandon Ivory and Tim Williams were suspended indefinitely for violations of team rules.^[1] Reed and Ivory returned from suspension on August 4 and Williams returned on August 20.^[2][3] The camp featured several positional battles with incoming freshmen competing for starting spots. Of note were true freshmenCameron Robinson who landed the starting spot atleft tackle over Dominick Jackson and bothTony Brown andMarlon Humphrey who secured back-up roles atdefensive back.^[4] The most anticipated positional battle of camp was for quarterback. BothBlake Sims andJacob Coker played themselves into position to be named starter through the end of camp when Sims was selected as the starter for the opening game against West Virginia.^[5][6]

By mid-August, Alabama had a combined 26 players on 12 different preseason award watch lists.^[7]Landon Collins,Trey DePriest andA'Shawn Robinson for theChuck Bednarik Award;Amari Cooper for theFred Biletnikoff Award; Collins, DePriest and Robinson for theBronko Nagurski Trophy; DePriest and Reggie Ragland for theButkus Award; Collins, Cooper andT. J. Yeldon for theWalter Camp Award; Arie Kouandjio and Robinson for theLombardi Award; O. J. Howard for theJohn Mackey Award;Jacob Coker, Cooper,Derrick Henry and Yeldon for theMaxwell Award; Ryan Kelly, Kouandjio and Robinson for theOutland Trophy; Kelly for theRimington Trophy; Collins for theJim Thorpe Award; and Henry and Yeldon for theDoak Walker Award.^[7]

Alabama head coach Nick Saban entered his eighth year as the Crimson Tide's head coach for the 2014 season. During his previous seven years with Alabama, he led the Crimson Tide to an overall record of 74 wins and 15 losses (74–15) and the2009,2011 and2012 national championships.^[8] On January 10, 2014, formerOakland Raiders,Tennessee andUSC head coachLane Kiffin was hired as the replacement forDoug Nussmeier as offensive coordinator.^[9] Nussmeier resigned from Alabama on January 9 to become offensive coordinator atMichigan.^[10] Kiffin was working with Alabama in some capacity before the team's 2014 Sugar Bowl game and before taking the offensive coordinator position.^[9]

On January 11, defensive line coachChris Rumph resigned and took a position on theTexas staff under new head coachCharlie Strong to replace former defensive line coachBo Davis.^[11] At that time, Davis had accepted a job at USC. After Rumph left Alabama, Davis resigned as defensive line coach at USC after one week on the job to take Rumph's job at Alabama.^[12] Davis previously coached defensive line at Alabama from 2007 to 2010.^[12]

On February 12,Greg Brown resigned after only one season at Alabama to become the safeties coach atLouisville.^[13] Two days later,Kevin Steele was promoted from Alabama's director of player personnel to inside linebackers coach.^[14] Steele previously served as a defensive assistant for Saban at Alabama in 2007 and 2008.^[14]

Prior toNational Signing Day on February 5, 2014, eight players enrolled for the spring semester in order to participate in spring practice and included six former high school seniors and two junior college transfers.^[16][17] The early enrollments from high school included top-ranked offensive tackle Cameron Robinson, wide receiver Cameron Sims, safety Laurence "Hootie" Jones, cornerback Tony Brown, quarterback David Cornwell and linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton.^[16][17] The junior college transfers enrolled early included defensive end D. J. Pettway and defensive tackle Jarran Reed.^[16][17] All of the players will take part in Alabama's "fourth-quarter" strength and conditioning program in February before spring practice starts in March.^[17]

On National Signing Day, Alabama signed 18 additional players out of high school that completed the 2014 recruiting class. The class was highlighted by 19 players from the "ESPN 300": No. 3 Cameron Robinson; No. 6 Da'Shawn Hand; No. 8 Tony Brown; No. 12 Bo Scarbrough; No. 15 Marlon Humphrey; No. 27 Laurence Jones; No. 48 Christian Miller; No. 49 Cameron Sims; No. 52 Rashaan Evans; No. 57 David Cornwell; No. 64 Ross Pierschbacher; No. 71 Ronnie Clark; No. 102 Shaun Dion Hamilton; No. 160 Joshua Frazier; No. 168 Josh Casher; No. 190 J. C. Hassenauer; No. 199 Derek Kief; No. 215 O. J. Smith; and No. 281 Keith Holcombe.^[18] Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according toRivals.com,Scout.com and247Sports.com.^[19][20] Of the 26 players signed only two failed to qualify to compete in 2014: Montel McBride and Bo Scarbrough.^[21] McBride played forIowa Western Community College in 2014 and Scarbrough is expected to enroll at Alabama in January 2015.^[21]

In addition to those signed as part of the 2014 class, on January 26Florida State quarterbackJacob Coker announced his intention to transfer to Alabama.^[22] After he graduated in May 2014, Coker officially enrolled at Alabama on May 5.^[23] Based on NCAA transfer rules for student athletes who graduate, Coker had two years of eligibility remaining to compete with the Crimson Tide.^[22][23]

College recruiting information (2014)
Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Tony Brown DB	Beaumont, Texas	Ozen High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	182 lb (83 kg)	4.40	Jan 2, 2014
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Joshua Casher C	Mobile, Alabama	St. Paul's Episcopal School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	–	Oct 29, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Ronnie Clark DB	Calera, Alabama	Calera High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	4.59	Oct 4, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
David Cornwell QB	Norman, Oklahoma	Norman North High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	–	Jun 14, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Johnny Dwight DT	Rochelle, Georgia	Wilcox County High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	298 lb (135 kg)	–	Jun 4, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Rashaan Evans LB	Auburn, Alabama	Auburn High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	218 lb (99 kg)	4.5	Feb 5, 2014
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Ty Flournoy-Smith TE	Moultrie, Georgia	Georgia Military College	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	–	Feb 3, 2014
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Joshua Frazier DT	Springdale, Arkansas	Har-Ber High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	334 lb (151 kg)	5.10	Nov 23, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Shaun Dion Hamilton LB	Montgomery, Alabama	G. W. Carver High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	241 lb (109 kg)	–	Apr 17, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Da'Shawn Hand DE	Woodbridge, Virginia	Woodbridge High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	4.70	Nov 14, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
J. C. Hassenauer C	Woodbury, Minnesota	East Ridge High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	295 lb (134 kg)	5.35	Jun 17, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Keith Holcombe LB	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Hillcrest High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	209 lb (95 kg)	5.35	Jun 30, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Marlon Humphrey CB	Hoover, Alabama	Hoover High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	174 lb (79 kg)	–	Jan 29, 2014
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Dominick Jackson OT	Cupertino, California	College of San Mateo	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	312 lb (142 kg)	–	Jun 26, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Laurence Jones DB	Monroe, Louisiana	Neville High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	–	Jan 2, 2014
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Derek Kief WR	Cincinnati, Ohio	La Salle High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	199 lb (90 kg)	–	Jun 16, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Montel McBride OG	Plant City, Florida	Plant City High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	332 lb (151 kg)	5.52	Jul 2, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Christian Miller LB	Columbia, South Carolina	Spring Valley High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	–	Jul 25, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
D. J. Pettway DT	Pensacola, Florida	East Mississippi Community College	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	255 lb (116 kg)	–	Dec 18, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Ross Pierschbacher OG	Cedar Falls, Iowa	Cedar Falls High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	295 lb (134 kg)	5.21	Aug 11, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Jarran Reed DT	Goldsboro, North Carolina	East Mississippi Community College	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	305 lb (138 kg)	–	Dec 19, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Cameron Robinson OT	West Monroe, Louisiana	West Monroe High School	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	320 lb (150 kg)	–	Sep 4, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Bo Scarbrough RB	Northport, Alabama	IMG Academy	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	222 lb (101 kg)	4.50	Sep 7, 2012
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
J. K. Scott P	Denver, Colorado	Mullen High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	–	Jun 9, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Cam Sims WR	Monroe, Louisiana	Ouachita Parish High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	208 lb (94 kg)	–	Aug 24, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
O. J. Smith DT	Bossier City, Louisiana	Airline High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	330 lb (150 kg)	5.00	May 24, 2013
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: 1   Rivals: 1   247Sports: 1   ESPN: 1
‡ Refers to40-yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Alabama Signee List 2014". Rivals. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2014. "Scout.com Football Recruiting: Alabama". Scout. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2014. "2014 Player Signees – Alabama". ESPN. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2014. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2014. "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2014.

Notable departures from the 2013 squad included juniors,Ha Ha Clinton-Dix,Adrian Hubbard,Cyrus Kouandjio,Jeoffrey Pagan, andVinnie Sunseri who declared their eligibility for the2014 NFL draft.^[24][25] Senior starters from the 2013 squad who exhausted their eligibility includedA. J. McCarron,Kevin Norwood, andAnthony Steen on offense;Deion Belue,C. J. Mosley, andEd Stinson on defense; andCody Mandell, McCarron, andCade Foster on special teams.^[26][27][28] Other notable departures from the 2013 squad included several players whotransferred to another school. These transfers included quarterbackLuke Del Rio toOregon State, running backDee Hart toColorado State, and center Chad Lindsay toOhio State.^[29][30][31]

Alabama had seven returning players on offense, five on defense and five on special teams that started games in 2013.^[26][27][28]

The depth chart listed below shows starters and backups as announced in August 2014.^[32]

The 2014 schedule was officially released on August 21, 2013.^[33] Alabama faced all sixWestern Division opponents:Arkansas,Auburn,LSU,Mississippi State,Ole Miss, andTexas A&M.^[33] They also faced two Eastern Division opponents:official SEC rivalTennessee andFlorida.^[33] Alabama was not scheduled to play SEC opponentsGeorgia,Kentucky,Missouri,South Carolina orVanderbilt during the regular season.^[33] They played four non-conference games:West Virginia of theBig 12 Conference,Florida Atlantic andSouthern Miss ofConference USA andWestern Carolina of theSouthern Conference.^[33][34] On the final weekend of the regular season, aMissouri victory over Arkansas, coupled with a Mississippi State loss set up aSEC Championship Game against theTigers for the Crimson Tide.^[35] On December 7, the selection committee for theCollege Football Playoff ranked Alabama as the topseed for the inaugural playoff.^[36] For their semifinal match-up, Alabama playedOhio State of theBig Ten Conference in theSugar Bowl.^[36]

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	2:30 p.m.	vs.West Virginia*	No. 2	Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA (Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game)	ABC	W 33–23	70,502
September 6	11:00 a.m.	Florida Atlantic*	No. 2	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	SECN	W 41–0[A 1]	100,306
September 13	5:00 p.m.	Southern Miss*	No. 3	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	ESPN2	W 52–12	101,821
September 20	2:30 p.m.	Florida	No. 3	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry /SEC Nation)	CBS	W 42–21	101,821
October 4	2:30 p.m.	at No. 11Ole Miss	No. 3	Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS (rivalry) (College GameDay)	CBS	L 17–23	61,826
October 11	5:00 p.m.	atArkansas	No. 7	Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR (SEC Nation)	ESPN	W 14–13	72,337
October 18	2:30 p.m.	No. 21Texas A&M	No. 7	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	CBS	W 59–0	101,821
October 25	6:30 p.m.	atTennessee	No. 4	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October)	ESPN2	W 34–20	102,455
November 8	7:00 p.m.	at No. 14LSU	No. 4	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry /SEC Nation)	CBS	W 20–13OT	102,321
November 15	2:30 p.m.	No. 1Mississippi State	No. 5	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) (College GameDay)	CBS	W 25–20	101,821
November 22	3:00 p.m.	Western Carolina*	No. 1	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	SECN	W 48–14	101,325
November 29	6:45 p.m.	No. 15Auburn	No. 1	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl) (College GameDay)	ESPN	W 55–44	101,821
December 6	3:00 p.m.	vs. No. 16Missouri	No. 1	Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA (SEC Championship Game /SEC Nation)	CBS	W 42–13	73,526
January 1, 2015	7:30 p.m.	vs. No. 4Ohio State*	No. 1	Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl–CFP Semifinal /SEC Nation)	ESPN	L 35–42	74,682
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings fromAP Poll andCFP Rankings after October 28 released prior to game All times are inCentral time

• Sources:^[38]

On May 17, 2012, officials from both Alabama andWest Virginia announced the Crimson Tide and theMountaineers would meet for the first time to open the 2014 season in theChick-fil-A College Kickoff atAtlanta.^[41] As they entered their game week preparations, Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced starting linebackerTrey DePriest would be suspended for the game due to an NCAA violation.^[42] Although Alabama entered the game as a heavy favorite over the Mountaineers, the Crimson Tide only defeated West Virginia by a score of 33–23 in what was Blake Sims first start at quarterback.^[40][43][44] After Alabama won thecoin toss and deferred until the second half, West Virginia had a 14-play drive that took them as far as the Crimson Tide three-yard line. It was from the three that Josh Lambert gave the Mountaineers a 3–0 lead with his 20-yardfield goal.^[43][45] Alabama responded on the next possession after Adam Griffith connected on a 47-yard field goal that tied the game 3–3.^[45] After the Crimson Tide defense forced apunt on the Mountaineers possession that followed, Alabama scored their first touchdown on the 95-yard drive that ensued. Behind a strong running attack,T. J. Yeldon gave the Crimson Tide a 10–3 lead with his 15-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.^[43][45]

West Virginia responded on their next possession with a long touchdown drive of their own. Led by quarterback Clint Trickett, the Mountaineers went 75 yards in nine plays with Trickett throwing a 19-yard touchdown pass toKevin White that tied the game 10–10.^[43][45] Late in the quarter, Alabama retook a 17–10 lead on a one-yard Yeldon touchdown run. However, on thekickoff that ensued, Mario Alford dodges several Crimson Tide tackles en route to a 100-yard touchdown run that tied the game 17–17.^[43][45] Alabama did respond with a quick, 50-yard drive that ended with a 41-yard Adam Griffith field goal that gave the Crimson Tide a 20–17 halftime lead.^[43][45]

After Alabama was stopped on a fourth-down conversion and the Mountaineers missed a 47-yard field goal on their opening possessions of the second half, the Crimson Tide took a 27–17 lead behind a 19-yardDerrick Henry touchdown run.^[43][45] Both teams then traded field goals on the next two possessions and made the score 30–20 in favor of the Crimson Tide as they entered the fourth quarter.^[43][45] Although only a pair of field goals were scored in the fourth that made the final score 33–23, the Alabama defense played its best quarter of the game and forced the Mountaineers into several three-and-out possessions late in the game.^[43][45] For his four field goal performance, Adam Griffith was recognized as both the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week and as a Lou Groza Award National Star of the Week.^[46]

To open their 2014 home schedule, Alabama defeated theFlorida AtlanticOwls 41–0 in a game that was called midway through the fourth quarter due to lightning strikes within eight miles of Bryant–Denny Stadium.^[37][48][49] The Crimson Tide elected to receive the ball to open the game and then went on a seven-play, 74-yard drive that culminated in a seven-yardBlake Sims touchdown run.^[50][51] After the Alabama defense forced apunt on the Owls' first possession, Sims connected withAmari Cooper on a 52-yard touchdown pass for a 14–0 lead.^[50][51] The Crimson Tide extended their lead further to 21–0 on their next possession when Sims threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Kenyan Drake.^[50][51] On the first defensive play that followed, Eddie Jackson forced a Kamrin Solomonfumble that was recovered by Reggie Ragland at the Owls' 42-yard line.^[51]

It was on this possession that backup quarterbackJacob Coker entered the game. He led the Crimson Tide on a 37-yard drive that resulted in a 24–0 lead after Adam Griffith connected on a 22-yardfield goal early in the second quarter.^[49][50] The Alabama defense continued their strong performance and forced athree-and-out before the offense started their fourth touchdown drive of the game.^[51] Coker led the Crimson Tide on a 12-play, 87-yard drive that ended with a three-yard Corker touchdown pass to Jalston Fowler for a 31–0 lead.^[50][51] FAU responded with their longest drive of the game only to again have to punt. Alabama then had their final drive of the first half stall at the Owls' nine-yard line; that made the halftime score 31–0.^[51]

On the first Alabama possession of the third quarter, Eugene Fau recovered a Sims fumble at the FAU one-yard line and prevented another Crimson Tide touchdown.^[51] They scored their fifth touchdown on a three-yard Kenyan Drake touchdown run later in the third that extended their lead to 38–0.^[49][51] With many of Alabama's back-ups in the game, Adam Griffith scored the final points of the game with his 28-yard field goal.^[49][51] After Cyrus Jones set up a late Crimson Tide scoring opportunity with his 70-yard punt return, officials delayed the game due to lightning strikes in the vicinity of the stadium with Alabama in a fourth and goal situation.^[51] Within fifteen minutes of the delay, both schools agreed to call the game with 7:53 to play in the fourth quarter.^[37] The game marked the first in Alabama history where two quarterbacks had over 200 yards passing, and Cooper's 13 receptions also tied a Crimson Tide single-game record set byD. J. Hall in2007.^[49] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Owls to 2–0.^[52]

In their third game of the 2014 season and second consecutive home non-conference game, Alabama defeated theSouthern MissGolden Eagles 52–12.^[54][55] Behind their passing game led by Nick Mullins, the Golden Eagles took a 3–0 lead behind a 33-yard Corey Acostafield goal on their opening possession.^[55][56] Alabama responded on the next possession with a 22-yardBlake Sims touchdown pass toAmari Cooper for a 7–3 lead.^[55][56] After a series ofpunts, the Crimson Tide extended their lead to 14–3 early in the second quarter behind a four-yard Sims touchdown run, and further to 21–3 on a one-yard Kenyan Drake touchdown run.^[55] Acosta then made the score 21–6 with his 43-yard field goal just prior to halftime.^[55]

To open the second half, Sims led the Crimson Tide 75 yards in eight-plays with Drake scoring his second touchdown for a 28–6 lead. Acosta connected on his third field goal on the drive that ensued for Southern Miss, but Alabama would go on and score on each of its final four offensive possessions for the 52–12 victory.^[56] After Sims completed a five-yard touchdown pass to Brian Vogler in the third,Jacob Coker entered the game on the following possession and led the Crimson Tide on three scoring drives in the fourth quarter.^[56] Points were scored by Drake on a 29-yard touchdown run, Adam Griffith on a 30-yard field goal and by Tyren Jones on a two-yard run.^[55] The win improved the Crimson Tide's record in the all-time series versus Southern Miss to 34–6–2 (36–5–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).^[57]

TheFloridaGators surrendered a school-record 672 yards oftotal offense to the Crimson Tide in this 42–21 Alabama victory.^[59][60][61] Florida won the pregametoss and elected to receive.^[62] After they held Florida to athree-and-out, Alabama scored on its first play from scrimmage on an 87-yard touchdown pass fromBlake Sims to Kenyan Drake.^[60] However, Drake lost afumble on Alabama's next possession, and gave the Gators possession at the Alabama 31-yard line.^[62] A 28-yard touchdown pass fromJeff Driskel to Valdez Showers tied the game at 7–7. The Crimson Tide's next possession also ended in a lost fumble which was returned by Florida for a touchdown, and gave the Gators a 14–7 lead.^[60] On the possession that ensued, Alabama drove 52-yards to set up an Adam Griffithfield goal, but Griffith missed the 45-yarder in his first missed field goal of the season.^[62] The Crimson Tide forced another Florida three-and-out and punt, and the Alabama offense immediately tied the game 14–14 on a 79-yard touchdown pass toAmari Cooper.^[63] On Florida's next possession, Alabama recorded its firstinterception of the season whenJabriel Washington picked-off a Driskel pass at the Alabama 13-yard line.^[62] The ensuing Tide possession ended in yet another fumble, this time by Sims, but the Tide defense held as Florida and Alabama exchanged punts.^[62] Alabama forced a fumble from Florida running back Matt Jones, to set up a 56-yard drive that ended in a touchdown pass from Sims to Jalston Fowler to regain the lead, and Alabama led by a touchdown at halftime, 21–14.^[60]

Continuing the theme of the game, Alabama turned the ball over again on the opening possession of the second half when a Blake Sims pass was batted into the air by a Florida defender and intercepted by Antonio Morrison.^[62] Two plays later, Driskel ran 14-yards for a touchdown and tied the game 21–21. Alabama used more than seven minutes and converted five third downs on its next possession and regained the lead on a three-yardDerrick Henry touchdown run.^[60] Florida punted again, and on Alabama's next possession Sims injured his shoulder on a 24-yard run.^[64] BackupJacob Coker entered the game, but Alabama relied mostly on runs from Henry andT. J. Yeldon to move the ball to the Florida four-yard line. Coker threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Cooper and extended Alabama's lead to 35–21.^[63] Florida's next possession ended with Driskel's second interception of the day, this time toLandon Collins.^[62] After the interception, Sims reentered the game and led a 60-yard that ended in a touchdown pass to Cooper, that made the score 42–21.^[63]

Blake Sims's 445 passing yards were the second highest single-game passing total in Alabama history behindScott Hunter's1969 record, and his 484 yards of total offense (including 39 total yards rushing) broke Hunter's single-game total offense record.^[61][65] Additionally, Cooper became Alabama's all-time leader in touchdown receptions after he eclipsed the previous record of 18 set byDennis Homan.^[60] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Gators to 22–14 (23–14 without the NCAA vacation of the 2005 victory).^[66]

In what was their first true road game of the season, Alabama was upset by theOle MissRebels 23–17 at Oxford.^[68][69] After the Rebels elected to start the game on offense, Mark Dodson returned the openingkickoff 54-yards to the Alabama 39-yard line. After a first down run byBo Wallace, Ole Miss didn't gain a single yard and settled for a Gary Wunderlich 46-yardfield goal and gave Ole Miss an early 3–0 lead.^[69][70] Alabama responded by driving deep into Ole Miss territory, but Adam Griffith missed a 46-yard field goal. Ole Miss moved the ball easily before the drive stalled at the Alabama- 15, but Andrew Fletcher missed a chip shot 33-yard field goal. From there until 6:59 remaining in the second quarter both teams tradedpunts.^[70] Finally, Alabama managed to march 68 yards andBlake Sims gave Alabama a 7–3 lead with his touchdown run from one-yard out on fourth down.^[69] The Crimson Tide then extended their lead to 14–3 at halftime after Cyrus Jones forced afumble by I'Tavius Mathers and returned it 17-yards for a touchdown.^[71]

Alabama opened the second half with a 14 play drive only to have Adam Griffith miss on a 51-yard field goal attempt. Ole Miss responded on the possession that ensued with Wallace connecting on a 50-yard pass to tight-endEvan Engram and on a 14-yard touchdown pass toLaquon Treadwell two plays later, that made the score 14–10.^[69][70] Alabama then drove to the Ole Miss 15, but two penalties moved them to the 29, but Griffith did connect on a 44-yard field goal attempt and extended the Alabama lead to 17–10 as they entered the fourth quarter.^[69] In the fourth, Alabama punted from their own 5 which was returned 9 yards to the Rebels' 44. After a 6-yard run by Jaylen Walton, Wallace connected with Engram for a 16-yard gain to the Alabama 34. Finally, the Rebels tied the game on the next play when Wallace connected with Vince Sanders on a 34-yard touchdown reception. The extra point tied the game at 17–17.^[69] On the kickoff that ensued, Channing Ward forced a Christion Jones fumble that was recovered by Kailo Moore at the Alabama 31-yard line.^[72] Five plays later the Rebels took a 23–17 lead after Wallace threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Walton, but Fletcher missed the extra point.^[69][70] Ole Miss then secured the win late in the quarter after Senquez Golsonintercepted a Sims pass in the endzone to effectively end the game.^[69][70] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Rebels to 48–10–2 (51–9–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).^[73]

In the 2014 edition of their game againstArkansas, Alabama traveled to Fayetteville and defeated theRazorbacks 14–13 with a missedPAT providing for the winning margin.^[75][76] Each team committed a turnover to start the game. After the Alabama defense forced athree-and-out to open the game, Christion Jonesfumbled thepunt that followed that Arkansas recovered at the 31-yard line. On the Razorbacks' possession that ensued,Trey DePriest forced a Kody Walker fumble out of the endzone for atouchback.^[77] Neither team had another scoring opportunity in the quarter and the score was tied 0–0 at the end of the first. On their first possession of the second quarter, Adam Griffith missed a 30-yardfield goal attempt. However, on the next play,A'Shawn Robinson forced anAlex Collins fumble that was recovered by Ryan Anderson at the Razorbacks' 23-yard line.^[78] Three plays later,Blake Sims threw a 22-yard touchdown pass toT. J. Yeldon for a 7–0 Crimson Tide lead.^[76] Arkansas responded on the next possession with an 81-yard drive that was capped with a three-yard Jonathan Williams touchdown run. Down by a single point, the John HensonPAT was blocked by Jonathan Allen and Alabama held a 7–6 lead into halftime.^[76]

Alabama retained their lead until midway through the third quarter, whenBrandon Allen connected with AJ Derby on a 54-yard touchdown pass to give Arkansas a 13–7 lead.^[76] The Crimson Tide retook a 14–13 lead early in the fourth after Sims connected with DeAndrew White on a six-yard touchdown pass.^[76] Both defensed then controlled the remainder of the game withLandon Collins sealing the Crimson Tide victory late in the quarter after heintercepted an Allen pass.^[78] For his performance, J. K. Scott was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.^[79] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 15–8 (18–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).^[80]

In the second home conference game of the 2014 season, Alabama shellacked theTexas A&MAggies 59–0 at Tuscaloosa behind a 35-point second quarter.^[82][83] The Crimson Tide scored on every possession of the first half en route to a 45–0 halftime lead. After Adam Griffith scored the first points of the game with his 21-yardfield goal,T. J. Yeldon scored the first Alabama touchdown on a nine-yard run for a 10–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.^[83] Yeldon then opened the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run for the first of 35 second-quarter points.Blake Sims andDerrick Henry then extended the Crimson Tide lead to 31–0 behind respective runs of 43 and eight-yards on consecutive possessions.^[83]

The next Alabama touchdown was set up after a 47-yard Christion Jonespunt return gave the Crimson Tide possession at the A&M 24-yard line. On the next play, Sims threw a 24-yard touchdown pass toAmari Cooper, his first of three touchdown passes in the game.^[83] Sims then made the halftime score 45–0 after he connected with Henry on a 41-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the half.^[83] The Crimson Tide then scored on their eighth consecutive possession to start the third quarter on a 45-yard Sims touchdown pass to Cooper.^[83] Alabama then scored their final points late in the game whenJacob Coker threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Ty Flournoy-Smith for the 59–0 victory.^[83] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Aggies to 5–2.^[84]

In their annualrivalry game,Amari Cooper set the single-game receiving yardage record as Alabama defeatedTennessee 34–20 for their eighth consecutive win over theVolunteers.^[86][87] The Crimson Tide opened the game with a pair of long Cooper touchdown receptions as they took a 13–0 lead. On Alabama's first offensive play,Blake Sims connected with him on an 80-yard scoring pass and again on their second drive from 41-yards out.^[87] They then extended their lead to 20–0 on their third offensive possession on a one-yardT. J. Yeldon touchdown run.^[87] Early in the second quarter,Reggie Ragland forced aJoshua Dobbsfumble that was recovered by Eddie Jackson and returned to the Vols' 19-yard line. Three plays after a Jarran Reedpersonal foul penalty pushed the ball back to the 34, Sims scored on a 28-yard touchdown run for a 27–0 lead.^[88]

Tennessee responded on their next two offensive possessions to close the half and cut the Alabama lead to 27–10 at halftime. First, Dobbs led Tennessee on an 84-yard scoring drive capped with his nine-yard touchdown pass to Josh Malone. He then led them on a 59-yard drive and Aaron Medley connected on a 27-yardfield goal as time expired.^[87] After their defense forced an Alabamapunt to open the third quarter, Tennessee scored on their third consecutive possession on a nine-yard Dobbs touchdown pass to Von Pearson that made the score 27–17.^[87] The Crimson Tide responded on the possession hat ensued with a 28-yardDerrick Henry touchdown run that extended their lead to 34–17.^[87]

In the final quarter, Cyrus Jonesintercepted a Dobbs pass and returned it to the Alabama 30-yard line. However, on the play that ensued, Simsfumbled and the Vols regained possession at the Crimson Tide 23.^[88] Six plays later, Medley connected on a 24-yard field goal that made the score 34–20.^[87] Alabama responded with a long drive, but did not score asCameron Sutton forced a Jalston Fowler fumble that was recovered by the Vols'Jalen Reeves-Maybin at their one-yard line. This resulted in the final score of 34–20.^[88] The 224 yards receiving in the game established a new Crimson Tide record and for his performance, Cooper was recognized as the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week alongside Mississippi State'sJosh Robinson.^[89] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Vols to 51–38–7 (52–37–8 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).^[90]

In their annualrivalry game, Alabama defeated theLSUTigers in overtime at Baton Rouge by a final score of 20–13.^[92][93] After each defense forcedpunts on the opening five possessions, LSU took advantage of a very short field, marching 41 yards, taking a 7–0 lead behind a 14-yard Anthony Jennings touchdown pass to Malachi Dupre. Late in the first quarter, after both teams punted, Alabama drove all the way to the 10-yard line where the drive stalled and Griffith missed a 27-yard field goal. After LSU punted on their next drive, the Crimson Tide tied the game 7–7 whenBlake Sims threw a 23-yard touchdown pass toAmari Cooper in the second quarter.^[93] With just under a minute left in the half, Eddie Jacksonintercepted a Jennings pass and returned it 18 yards back to the Tigers' 29-yard line.^[94] Although he missed one earlier from 27-yards out, Adam Griffith then gave the Crimson Tide a 10–7 halftime lead with his 39-yardfield goal.^[93]

LSU took the second-half kickoff and reached the 18-yard line where Colby Delahoussaye tied the game 10–10 with his 35-yard field goal. The next seven possessions ended in punts which lasted until a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.^[94] With just over one minute remaining in the game, Lamar Louis forced aT. J. Yeldonfumble that was recovered by Kendell Beckwith at the Alabama six-yard line. After a very criticalunsportsmanlike conduct penalty and two short runs, Delahoussaye gave the Tigers a 13–10 lead with just under a minute remaining in regulation with his 39-yard field goal.^[93] Alabama got a break when the kickoff went out-of-bounds, giving them the ball at their own- 35. Sims then proceeded to drive the Crimson Tide 55 yards in nine plays, converting two third downs with his legs, where Griffith tied the game 13–13 with his 27-yard field goal and sent the game intoovertime.^[93]

Alabama took a 20–13 lead in the first overtime period when Sims connected with DeAndrew White on a six-yard touchdown reception.^[93] The Tigers were unable to respond on their overtime possession as four straight incompletions gave the Crimson Tide the 20–13 win.^[94] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 49–25–5.^[95]

In their annualrivalry game, Alabama defeated the No. 1 rankedMississippi StateBulldogs 25–20 at Tuscaloosa.^[97][98] After the teams tradedpunts on the first three possessions of the game,Trey DePriest gave the Crimson Tide a 2–0 lead when he tackledJosh Robinson in the endzone for asafety. On the possession that followed thefree kick, Adam Griffith extended Alabama's lead to 5–0 with his 36-yardfield goal.^[98] The Crimson Tide then scored their first touchdown midway through the second quarter whenBlake Sims hitAmari Cooper for a four-yard touchdown pass and extended their lead to 12–0.^[98] On their next offensive series, Sims threw a 50-yard completion andDerrick Henry scored from one-yard out that extended the Crimson Tide lead to 19–0. The Bulldogs responded with a 14-play, 70-yard drive that was capped with a 23-yard Evan Sobiesk field goal that made the halftime score 19–3.^[98]

State opened the third quarter with another long drive, but again were only held to a Sobiesk field goal. Later in the quarter, with the Bulldogs in scoring position, Cyrus Jonesintercepted aDak Prescott pass for atouchback and ended the scoring threat.^[99] Early in the fourth quarter, Prescott threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Fred Ross that brought the score to 19–13.^[98] Alabama responded on their possession that followed with a 15-play, 76-yard drive that was capped with a seven-yardT. J. Yeldon touchdown run for a 25–13 Crimson Tide lead.^[98] The Bulldogs did score once more late in the final minute on a four-yardJameon Lewis touchdown reception from Prescott, but were unable to recover theonside kick and Alabama won 25–20.^[98] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 77–18–3 (79–17–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).^[100]

Onhomecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama defeated theWestern CarolinaCatamounts of theSouthern Conference 48–14.^[102][103]

The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Catamounts to 3–0 (4–0 without an NCAA vacation).^[104]

In the 2014 edition of theIron Bowl, Alabama defeated theAuburnTigers 55–44 at Tuscaloosa in what was the highest scoring game between the rivals.^[106][107] On the openingkickoff, the Crimson Tide failed to recover anonside kick and gave Auburn good field position to start the game.^[108] On the next play, the Tigers turned the ball over on a failedlateral pass fromNick Marshall to Roc Thomas. Five plays later, the Crimson Tide took a 7–0 lead behind an eight-yardT. J. Yeldon touchdown run.^[107] Alabama scored their second touchdown on a 17-yardAmari Cooper reception fromBlake Sims after Daniel Carlson converted a 20-yardfield goal that made the score 14–3.^[107] Auburn then a 16–14 behind a pair of 24-yard Carlson field goals and a 34-yardNick Marshall touchdown pass toSammie Coates.^[107] The Crimson Tide then briefly took a 21–16 behind a one-yard Yeldon touchdown run before Auburn scored ten points en route to a 26–21 halftime lead. First Marshall threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Coates, and after Sims threw a lateinterception Carlson connected on a 20-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.^[107]

On their second play of the third quarter, Sims threw his third interception of the game, and on the Auburn drive that ensued they took a 33–21 behind a five-yard Marshall touchdown pass to Quan Bray.^[107] The Crimson Tide responded on their next possession with a 39-yard Sims touchdown pass to Cooper and the Tigers followed with a 33-yard Carlson field goal for a 36–27 Tigers lead.^[107] After this, the Crimson Tide scored touchdowns on their next four possessions and took a 55–36 lead into the final minutes of the game. After Cooper scored on a 75-yard touchdown reception, Nick Perry intercepted a Marshall pass for the Alabama defense. Five plays later Sims scored on a five-yard touchdown run and completed thetwo-point conversion pass to DeAndrew White.^[107]

On the Auburn possession that followed, Marshall was unable to make a third-down conversion and the ball was punted back to Alabama. The Crimson Tide then extended their lead further when Sims connected with DeAndrew White on a six-yard touchdown pass.^[107] The Crimson Tide defense then forced a change of possession on the next Tigers possession. On the drive that ensued,Derrick Henry had a 49-yard run and followed it two plays later with a 25-yard touchdown run for a 55–36 Crimson Tide lead.^[107] A five-yard Corey Grant touchdown run for Auburn in the final minute made the final score 55–44 in favor of Alabama.^[107] With his 13 receptions, 224 yards receiving and three touchdown receptions, Cooper tied the Alabama single-game record for all three categories.^[107] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 43–35–1.^[109]

In the 2014 edition of theSEC Championship Game, Alabama defeated the Eastern Division championsMissouriTigers 42–13 and captured their 24th SEC football championship.^{[35][111][112]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 3–2.^[113]

The day after their victory in theSEC Championship Game, Alabama was selected as the No. 1 seed for the inauguralCollege Football Playoff and playedOhio State in theSugar Bowl on Thursday, January 1, 2015, for their semi-final match-up.^[36] Alabama defeated Ohio State in their previous meeting 24–17 in the1995 Florida Citrus Bowl and led the all-time series 3–0 before this game.^[114][115] Ohio State was ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll and No. 4 in the College Football Playoff. In the 2015 Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal Game), Alabama was defeated by theOhio State Buckeyes by a score of 42–35.^[116]

Entering the 2014 football season, the Crimson Tide were ranked No. 2 in both the AP and Coaches' Preseason Polls.^[117]

After theSEC Championship Game, multiple Alabama players were recognized for their on-field performances with a variety of awards and recognitions. At the team awards banquet on December 7, Landon Collins, Amari Cooper, Jalston Fowler and Blake Sims were each named the permanent captains of the 2014 squad.^[118] At that time Cooper was also named the 2014 most valuable player with Collins and Trey DePriest named defensive players of the year and Cooper and Sims named offensive players of the year.^[118]

The SEC recognized several players for their individual performances with various awards. Amari Cooper was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.^[119] On December 8, Cooper, Landon Collins, Arie Kouandjio, Jonathan Allen, Reggie Ragland and JK Scott were named to the AP All-SEC First Team.^[119] Blake Sims, Austin Shepherd and Cyrus Jones were named to the AP All-SEC Second Team; Trey DePriest, Ryan Kelly, Jarran Reed and A'Shawn Robinson were named to the AP All-SEC Honorable Mention Team.^[119] Kouandjio, Cooper, DePriest, Collins and Scott were named to the Coaches' All-SEC First Team.^[120] Sims and T. J. Yeldon were named to the Coaches' All-SEC Second Team.^[120]

After the season, a number of Alabama players both won and were named as national award winners and finalists. Finalists for major awards from the Crimson Tide included: Amari Cooper won theFred Biletnikoff Award, finished third in the voting for theHeisman Trophy and was a finalist for theWalter Camp Award; J. K. Scott was a finalist for theRay Guy Award; and Landon Collins was a finalist for theJim Thorpe Award and theBronko Nagurski Trophy.^[121][122]

For their individual performances during the regular season, several players were named to various nationalAll-American Teams. Amari Cooper and Landon Collins were named to theWalter Camp All-America First Team (WC).^[123] Cooper and Collins were named to the Associated Press All-American First Team; Arie Kouandjio and J. K. Scott were named to the Associated Press All-American Second Team.^[124] Cooper, Collins and Scott were named to theSporting News (TSN) All-America Team.^[125] Cooper and Collins were named to theFootball Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America Team.^[125] Cooper, Collins, Trey DePriest and Kouandjio were named to theAmerican Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team.^[125]

The NCAA recognizes five All-America lists in the determination of both consensus and unanimous All-America selections: the AP, AFCA, the FWAA,TSN and the WC.^[126] In order for an honoree to earn a consensus selection, he must be selected as first team in three of the five lists recognized by the NCAA, and unanimous selections must be selected as first team in all five lists.^[126] As such, for the 2014 season both Cooper and Collins were unanimous selections.^[125]

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