What Is 1985 Alabama Crimson Tide football

Overview

The 1985 Alabama Crimson Tide football season marked the program's 91st year of competition and the fifth under head coach Ray Perkins. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team played its home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham.

This season was notable for its strong defensive performance and a decisive bowl victory, though the team did not win the SEC title. Despite early losses to ranked opponents, Alabama rebounded to secure a top-15 national ranking by season’s end.

• Record: The team finished with a 9–3 overall record, including a 5–2 mark in SEC conference play, demonstrating solid but not dominant performance.
• Head coach:Ray Perkins completed his fifth and final season as head coach before leaving for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• Bowl game: Alabama defeated the USC Trojans 28–6 in the Liberty Bowl on December 27, 1985, in Memphis, Tennessee.
• Final ranking: The Crimson Tide finished No. 13 in the AP Poll and No. 14 in the Coaches Poll, reflecting national recognition.
• Key player: Quarterback Mike Shula threw for 1,744 yards and 11 touchdowns while leading the offense with consistent decision-making.

Season Performance

The 1985 campaign featured a mix of high-stakes conference matchups and non-conference challenges, with the team peaking at the end of the season. Alabama showed resilience after early setbacks, ultimately securing a winning record and a major bowl berth.

• September 7, 1985: Alabama lost to No. 10 Southern Cal 20–17 in a neutral-site game in Birmingham, marking an inauspicious start.
• October 5, 1985: The Crimson Tide suffered a 24–21 loss to No. 4 Tennessee, ending hopes for an SEC championship.
• Defensive strength: The team allowed just 15.8 points per game, ranking among the top defenses in the nation.
• Running game:James Taylor led the ground attack with 618 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 135 carries.
• Home dominance: Alabama went 5–0 at Bryant–Denny Stadium, outscoring opponents significantly in Tuscaloosa.
• Season finale: The Liberty Bowl victory over USC provided redemption after the earlier regular-season loss to the same team.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1985 season can be evaluated against other years in Alabama football history through key performance metrics and outcomes.

The 1985 team improved on 1984’s bowl loss and set the stage for the strong 1986 season under new leadership. While not a championship year, it reflected continuity and competitive strength within the SEC.

Why It Matters

The 1985 season holds historical significance for Alabama football due to its transitional nature and on-field resilience. It marked the end of the Ray Perkins era and foreshadowed changes in program leadership.

• Coaching transition: Ray Perkins’ departure to the NFL signaled a shift, leading to Bill Curry’s hiring in 1987.
• Player development: Mike Shula’s leadership helped stabilize the quarterback position during a rebuilding phase.
• Bowl redemption: The Liberty Bowl win avenged an earlier loss and boosted team morale.
• Defensive legacy: The unit’s performance continued Alabama’s tradition of elite defensive play.
• Recruiting impact: Success in 1985 helped maintain Alabama’s status as a top national program.
• Historical context: The season fits within a decade of consistent top-20 finishes despite no national titles.

Though overshadowed by other championship seasons, the 1985 Alabama Crimson Tide campaign remains a testament to competitive consistency and program resilience during a period of transition.