The Alabama Crimson Tide were being shut out by another SEC team, the Georgia Bulldogs, at halftime of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship game. The score was 13-0, as the Tide's offense managed only 89 yards, missed a 40-yard field goal on their opening possession, and they punted four times.
The Bulldogs were in complete control, and head coach Nick Saban needed to give his team a spark. What happened next was one of the biggest gambles in college football history when he started true freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the second half. What happened next will live on in Alabama Football history, and the untold story behind the decision is the focus of an upcoming documentary.
The backup quarterback went on to throw for 166 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning strike to DeVonta Smith in overtime.
Incumbent starter Jalen Hurts had led the Crimson Tide to a 24-2 record as the starter in Tuscaloosa and was coming off an Offensive MVP performance in the Sugar Bowl the week prior. After the Tide offense stumbled out of the gates, both Hurts and Tagovailoa's lives would change forever.
The documentary titled "Four Sides of the Story: Alabama Audible", which will air this upcoming Saturday on CBS at 2:00 p.m. ET, will feature four unique perspectives behind a decision that stands as one of the boldest coaching decisions in sports history.
Here's a sneak peek.
A legendary comeback. A gutsy coach. A backup quarterback. A National Championship.
“Four Sides of the Story: Alabama Audible” examines the Tide’s unforgettable 2018 title through four unique points of view this Saturday on CBS at 2:30 PM ET. pic.twitter.com/rhT2fYwFfg
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 18, 2018
As the title eludes to, four unique perspectives will tell the story.
- Nick Saban and Tua Tagovailoa
- Diane and Galu Tagovailoa, Tua's parents, who were in the stands that night
- ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who was the play-by-play announcer
- Defensive back Aaron Davis, who played for the Georgia Bulldogs
The "Four Sides of the Story" documentary series by CBS Sports Network will feature four new documentaries including Alabama Audible:
- Mayweather vs. McGregor, insights to last year's mega-fight airs in October
- UMBC — Bracket Busted, the first ever 16-seed over 1-seed upset in NCAA history airs in November
- Holy Loyola!, Loyola-Chicago's improbable Final Four run airs in December.
This Saturday, the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide will host the No. 22 Texas A&M Aggies, and this documentary is set to air sometime around halftime of that game.
We'll see if a similar halftime adjustment will be needed this weekend.
READ MORE: The 7 Mind-Blowing Numbers Backing Up Alabama's Historic Start
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