I appreciate the point of view of someone who wasn't 'in it' (Living in Gainesville at the time).
2011 is a perfect example of one game negating season-long dominance. Whether because it's their last game or on the biggest stage or whatever, that egg-laying in the NCG left everyone thinking they were trash.
No.
Through the first 13 games, that was an all-time great(est) team. And their QBs weren't that bad at all. Statistically, they were perfectly good, with ~150 rating. Low INTs. Now watching them, sure, functionally they were limited, but they didn't have a shitty passing game. They simply didn't need to pass. They had like 4 legit RBs and a great defense. They played Saban ball (pre-Tua Saban ball, anyway). Low-risk, grind them down and out-talent opponents-type of football.
They had 2 bookend DEs with a lot of sacks. 2 First-Team AAs in the secondary. Caused all the turnovers. Great special teams. Why pass a bunch? It took overtime and they couldn't get a TD, but they did win on the road vs Bama. They played 8 ranked teams before the NCG and went 8-0.
They get outcoached in the NCG and suddenly they're garbage? No.
I'm not saying you're saying that, but I think it's what most people think now.