Some Sensational Sports Sevens from a native Alabamian who has been obsessing over these things for 50 years. This week, we rank the seven most important moments that made the Nick Saban dynasty at Alabama the greatest in college football history. Once you’ve finished reading and think of something I missed, let me know at [email protected]. Your input may be included in a future Sensational Sports Seven.

7. Julio and the gang

Saban had won a national championship at LSU in 2003, but there was no guarantee he could do the same thing at Alabama, much less win six more. But five-star wide receiver Julio Jones of Foley and an incredible group of recruits in 2008 took a leap of faith. The result was the berth of a dynasty. Jones didn’t make his college choice public until a dramatic National Signing Day announcement. He was joined in that history-changing class by Mark Ingram, Marcel Dareus, Don’ta Hightower, Barrett Jones, Robert Lester, Mark Barron, Courtney Upshaw and Michael Williams among others.

The talent has continued to flow to Tuscaloosa since that historic group. But only the 2008 class had to believe when there was little evidence that success was coming.

6. Upset of Clemson begins the dynasty