Trailing 13-0 at the half with an offense that had been completely stymied by Georgia, Nick Saban turned away from a veteran QB with a 25-2 record at Alabama and handed the ball and his team's fate to a true freshman who had never taken a meaningful snap in a 'Bama uniform.
The result was the stuff of legends as 18 year old Tua Tagovailoa played with the skill and confidence of a seasoned vet, leading the Crimson tide to a 26-23 overtime win. Bama's win was keyed by not just the true Freshman QB, but with game changing contributions from true freshmen at the RB, OL and WR positions, including true freshman Devonta Smith who caught the 41 yard game winning TD. The win which gave Saban his 6th National title, tying him with Alabama legend Paul "Bear" Bryant, could have been his most impressive yet.
Changing quarterbacks at halftime of the National Championship because what got you there's not working may have been the toughest coaching decision Saban ever had to make, but with this much young talent the future for Saban has never been brighter.