The Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama. Since they began playing football in 1892, the Tide have won 16 national championships. Current head coach Nick Saban has won four titles in seven years. And they're in the hunt for another this season.

The culture of Alabama football is ubiquitous, it's the state's main rallying point. The school's alumni are plentiful and proud, but they make only a portion of the fan base. Tide football is a constant in conversation, a sure ice breaker in pretty much every corner of the state. Although if the folks you want to talk to are wearing Auburn colors the conversation may be contentious.

Alabama as a whole takes great pride in the strength, consistency and excellence of the university's football program. The South loves football, and no place more than Alabama.

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Alabama coach Nick Saban gives his mother Mary Francis Saban a hug after defeating the Washington Huskies 24-7.

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An Alabama jumps into the stands to celebrate with the fans.

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Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban with the Peach Bowl trophy.

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Alabama wide receiver Gehrig Dieter celebrates with fans in the stands.

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Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough runs the ball in the second quarter against the Washington Huskies.

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Alabama Crimson Tide fans bow their heads in a moment of prayer before the kickoff of the College Football Playoff Semifinal.

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Alabama Crimson Tide band gets ready for their halftime performance.

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Alabama Crimson Tide fans celebrates their teams first touchdown scored by running back Bo Scarbrough, in the first quarter.

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Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) is tackled at the line of scrimmage by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da'Ron Payne (94) and linebacker Reuben Foster (10).

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An Alabama fan, sporting an elephant ring, holds up her phone to take picture of the Alabama Cheerleaders during the pregame pep rally.

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Alabama fans await the Crimson Tide players and coaches as they walk through the Georgia World Congress Center.

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Milton Harris from Atlanta, Georgia, started smoking his ribs and brisket at 6pm, Friday evening. Milton is just started to pull some ribs out of the smoker to serve his friends and family.

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Tripp Bouler poses with Gordon Bouler while heading into the College Football Playoff Semifinal game.

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Justen Burns, a member of the US Army stationed in Yigo, Guam as a part of the USA Air Defense system, travelled 7,835 miles to Atlanta just to watch his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff Semifinals. He flies back to Guam tomorrow.

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Willy Bell, from Greensboro, Alabama came to tailgate and watch the game on a television across the street from the Georgia Dome.

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Ryan McGill, from Charlotte, North Carolina checks his phone while doing some tailgating in the parking lot across the street from the College Football Playoff Semifinals, for the Peach Bowl.

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Holden Smith, age 14, from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, holds up a Alabama Crimson Tide football signed by many players and coaches. Holden has been waiting in the Atlanta Marriott Marquis hotel while in Atlanta for the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (3 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN/ESPN App).

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Diane Hamilton's son is Alabama star linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton.

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A storefront window on "The Strip," on University Avenue in Tuscaloosa, shows support for the Crimson Tide and questions the Washington fans.

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Father and son, Eric and Frank Graham walk down the street in Mobile, Alabama, showcasing their jackets displaying the Tide's winning history.