In 2016, the NCAA regular season had ended, but the real highlight was just beginning.
Unlike the NFL, the NCAA is divided into many leagues, so the playoffs are also divided into two stages:
The first stage, the championship gas within each league.
The second stage, the nationwide championship.
The duration of the events was quite extended, with the first stage taking place imdiately after the regular season, usually scheduled for the first week of December.
Then, after a three-week break, which was also the ti for college final exams, the second stage wouldn't comnce until after the Christmas holidays.
Leading off were the league championship gas.
The Southeastern Conference gas had all concluded, and the league was divided into two divisions:
The East and the South.
Regardless of their individual win-loss records, it always ca down to the champions of the East and the South competing for the Southeastern Conference championship.
That year, the Eastern champion was the University of Florida, with a season record of nine wins and three losses; the Southern champion was the University of Alabama, which had remained undefeated throughout the season.
The two teams would et in the Southeastern Conference championship ga.
This was the University of Alabama's third consecutive year advancing to the Southeastern Conference championship under Saban, and it was also the second undefeated season since 2009. As the top seed in the NCAA, the Crimson Tide Storm was naturally the more favored side before the ga.
But the University of Florida was not to be underestimated.
This was a team that lacked stars but relied on team strength to win gas, and it was entirely dependent on their defense for victories.
In other words, the performance of the University of Florida was relatively stable throughout the season, with little fluctuation, and their status remained consistent. Although they were not highly ranked in the NCAA, always hovering around the twentieth position, their lack of a high ceiling was compensated for by an excellent floor.
They absolutely should not be underestimated.
And that was indeed the case.
The University of Florida drew inspiration from the fierce ga between Louisiana State University and Alabama, focusing tightly on Li Wei with their defensive formation, starting with the ground defense and launching a front-field press.
It was evident that the University of Florida had seriously studied the ga tapes and made detailed pre-ga preparations; they were not prepared to play a re supporting role. Though understated, their goal was still to aim for the league championship.
However!
The Crimson Tide Storm was well-prepared.
Not just Saban, but the entire offensive group had gained experience, and after a whole season of training, everyone had grown to varying degrees. Facing the University of Florida's targeted defensive strategy once again, their performance this ti was much more composed.
Li Wei, serving as bait, firmly captured the attention of the University of Florida's defensive front line, while Hertz finally showcased the style of a quarterback—
Passing offense.
The passing offense of the Crimson Tide Storm, underestimated throughout the season, played brilliantly, catching the University of Florida completely off guard.
However, the second-line defense of the University of Florida did indeed possess comndable strength. The tactical cooperation between the two cornerbacks and two safeties was outstanding, giving the University of Florida breathing space amid the furious onslaught of the Crimson Tide Storm.
But they had scarcely ti to feel relieved before a slight lapse allowed the Crimson Tide Storm to seize another opportunity on the ground:
Li Wei, again Li Wei.
A five-yard ground advance, but when he was on the verge of being brought down after a tackle, he unbelievably managed to break free and stand up to continue the advance, which eventually turned into a seventeen-yard rushing touchdown.
The University of Florida was sowhat disheartened, caught off-guard.
Their targeted defense failed to contain Li Wei and also faced severe tests against passing defenses, causing the team to fall into difficulty right from the opening stage.
At the sa ti, the lack of a threatening offense from the University of Florida itself could not turn the tide, and once they fell into a passive situation with a score deficit, they could never recover.
In the end—
"63:14."
The Alabama Crimson Tide Storm won easily on their ho ground, claiming the Southeastern Conference championship.
The era of Saban at the University of Alabama remained the absolute dominator of the Southeastern Conference, even though last season's key contributor had moved on to the Professional League, they still relied on a group of young rookies to break through and again dominated the Southeastern Conference.
Formidable!
It must be said that within the NCAA, Saban was truly a hard-to-surpass figure.
At this point, the internal league competitions had concluded, and after three weeks of rest and adjustnts, all the teams were about to step onto the nationwide stage to engage in higher-level competition and launch their assault on the 2016 nationwide championship —
The Crimson Tide Storm, still aiming for the championship.
However, before this, the players needed to return to their student identities, preparing for their final exams, a battle of wits.
Luckily, this year the Crimson Tide Storm included an outstanding dual-talented student, and with Li Wei's help, the finals preparation for the group of robust n was much easier.
After a fierce struggle with their studies, hanging weights from their hair and poking their thighs with awls, the students finally finished all their final exams and set off for ho before their report cards arrived, ready to welco the Christmas break.
Yiya.
Burns pushed open the locker room door, looking at the young people joking and playfully bickering with each other. Today was the last training session before the Christmas break, where the team only carried out so basic training, creating a very relaxed atmosphere. Seeing the youthful scene before him, Burns couldn't help but smile.
"Cough cough."
He coughed twice, and the noise imdiately quieted down as everyone looked toward the door.
"Coach Burns!"
The shouts rose in waves, bringing a smile to Burns's face.
"Be mindful of your diet over Christmas at ho, I don't want any of you coming back out of shape, as we won't have ti to adjust slowly. We've still got two championships to go after."
The locker room erupted in noise.
"Yes, sir!"
"Yes!"
"Don't worry."
Burns couldn't help but laugh again, then looked around the crowd.
"Li Wei, co over here a second."
Imdiately—
"Haha, Li Wei, Li Wei, Li Wei!"
Everyone beca boisterous again, buzzing with excitent.
Li Wei didn't mind, spreading his arms and embracing the cheer, even nodding slightly like a superstar on the red carpet, enjoying the cheers and applause.
The locker room was filled with noise.
As Li Wei left, the others began to roughhouse again.
Clark was curious, "What does Coach Burns want with Li Wei at this ti?"
Jacobs shook his head, "Not sure, might just be so last-minute instructions on the training plan."
Clark agreed, "Right, since Li Wei didn't train systematically before, he probably doesn't know how to plan his training over the Christmas break."
Thinking it over, with Christmas approaching and the nationwide stage just ahead, Clark beca even more excited, "I wonder who we'll be facing in the bowl ga."
anwhile, Li Wei was also curious about why Burns wanted to see him, vaguely suspecting it might relate to an agreent made before the season started. Was the principal checking on the agreent's outcos now?
Unexpectedly, they didn't head towards the principal's office but instead approached the entrance to the head coach's office. With a reassuring smile towards Li Wei, Burns knocked and without waiting for a response, entered.
Inside, Saban was sitting behind his desk watching ga footage.
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