Fansided

10 college football teams riding wave of momentum into 2020 after bowl games

By Jordan Alexis

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Oregon (34) Jordon Scott (DT) celerbates after the Rose Bowl game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Oregon Ducks on January 1, 2020 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Oregon (34) Jordon Scott (DT) celerbates after the Rose Bowl game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Oregon Ducks on January 1, 2020 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with his players following a win against the Michigan Wolverines in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 1, 2020, in Orlando, Florida. Alabama defeated Michigan 35-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with his players following a win against the Michigan Wolverines in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 1, 2020, in Orlando, Florida. Alabama defeated Michigan 35-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

5. Alabama

It’s crazy to think Alabama needs much motivation, but 2019 was a relatively down year for them as they lost their two biggest games of the season in LSU and Auburn. It was also their first season not being in the college football playoff since its installment in 2014. So, with their usual standard of success not being met, there was a notion the Crimson Tide would be a candidate for the let down in bowl season. In the past, Alabama has had a few losses in non-championship bowl games, but Nick Saban made a point to change the narrative this postseason.

Saban on the players wanting to prove what Alabama football is all about, via ESPN.

"“I know most people would think that 10-2 was a good season,” Saban said. “That’s not necessarily our standard. The fact that previous to this year, we have been in seven of the last ten championship games, eight playoffs out of 10, and we sort of started to develop a little bit of a reputation of if we weren’t in the playoffs, we didn’t play very well in the bowl games."

Alabama left no doubt concerning their motivation this time around as they handled Michigan 35-16 in the Citrus Bowl. And you can bet they will be very motivated to return to regain their spot back at the top of the college football world.

Tua Tagovailoa’s decision will be huge in determining whether Alabama will, for sure, have a bounce-back in 2020. When healthy, Tua is in the conversation for the best player in the country, and even though Mac Jones proved he is capable of leading the team, Tua is an elite talent.

Alabama has already gotten some great news with the return of Dylan Moses and Alex Leatherwood, who were both first-round level prospects. Plus, the roster remains littered with four and five-star talent, so even those who are leaving early have capable players right behind them. The one area there may be concerns is at receiver where they’ll lose 2018 Biletnikoff winner, Jerry Jeudy and possibly Henry Ruggs and Devonta Smith.

Nevertheless, expect Alabama to be back in the SEC title picture along with the college football playoff.

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