What Is 1987 Alabama Crimson Tide football

Overview

The 1987 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the NCAA Division I-A football season. It marked the second year under head coach Bill Curry, who took over after the retirement of legendary coach Bear Bryant following the 1982 season. The team played its home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and competed as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

This season was part of a transitional era for Alabama football, as the program worked to reestablish national prominence after Bryant's departure. The 1987 squad showed improvement from the previous year’s 8-4 record but failed to win a major bowl game or claim a conference title.

• Record: The team finished with a 7-5 overall record, including a 4-3 mark in SEC play, reflecting moderate competitiveness within the conference.
• Sun Bowl appearance: Alabama played in the Sun Bowl on December 26, 1987, losing 21-6 to the Colorado Buffaloes in El Paso, Texas.
• Head coach: Bill Curry, in his second season, led the team with a focus on discipline and academic performance, a shift from previous eras.
• Key player: Quarterback Steve Wilson started most games, throwing for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns, leading the team in total offense.
• Defensive performance: The defense allowed 18.6 points per game, a slight improvement from 1986, but struggled against high-powered offenses.

Season Performance

The 1987 season featured a mix of strong defensive stands and inconsistent offensive output. Alabama opened the season ranked outside the top 10 and never re-entered the national spotlight, failing to crack the top 15 after midseason losses.

• Early season: Alabama started 3-0, defeating Georgia Southern, Vanderbilt, and Mississippi State, showing promise before SEC play intensified.
• SEC challenges: The team lost key conference games to LSU, Tennessee, and Auburn, highlighting difficulties in close matchups.
• Offensive stats: The Crimson Tide averaged 19.8 points per game, relying heavily on a run-based attack led by running back Brent Fullwood.
• Defensive standouts: Linebacker Marcus Jones recorded 107 tackles, earning second-team All-SEC honors for his performance.
• Home record: Alabama went 5-2 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, maintaining strong home-field advantage despite national ranking fluctuations.
• Turnover issues: The team committed 21 turnovers during the season, including 14 interceptions, which hampered scoring opportunities.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1987 season to recent and prior years highlights Alabama’s transitional phase in the late 1980s.

The 1987 season ranked among the less successful in the late 1980s, as Alabama failed to win its bowl game and did not earn a final AP ranking. However, it laid groundwork for modest improvement in the following years under Curry’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season is a footnote in Alabama football history but remains significant for understanding the program’s evolution during a post-Bryant era. It reflects the challenges of maintaining elite status without a dominant coach or recruiting edge.

• Transition period: The team symbolized Alabama’s struggle to redefine its identity after the end of the Bear Bryant era.
• Coaching shift: Bill Curry emphasized academic standards and discipline, setting a different tone than previous regimes.
• Recruiting impact: The class of 1987 included future NFL players, helping rebuild long-term program strength.
• Bowl history: The Sun Bowl loss extended Alabama’s drought without a major bowl win since the late 1970s.
• Fan expectations: The season highlighted growing impatience among fans for a return to national prominence.
• Historical context: The 1987 team is remembered as part of a rebuilding phase before Gene Stallings restored glory in the 1990s.

While not a championship season, the 1987 Alabama Crimson Tide contributed to the foundation of future success, serving as a case study in program resilience during transitional periods.