For NFL fans, the Super Bowl represents an emotional roller coaster of a season culminating in one final game. For those who don’t have any rooting interest in the 49ers or Ravens, or don’t care much about the NFL in general, the Super Bowl just represents a day of hanging out with friends and watching the best commercials of the year. But because of the immense success of Nick Saban genius coaching ability, there actually is something for Alabama fans to root for in the Super Bowl: The Ravens Defense.

The Ravens defense features two All-American Alabama defensive stalwarts in Terrence Cody and Courtney Upshaw. Cody, the mountain himself, was Alabama’s nose tackle in 2008 and 2009, and is best known for blocking two field goals in Alabama’s 12-10 win over Tennessee in 2009 that allowed Alabama to remain unbeaten and go on to win a National Championship. Courtney Upshaw was Alabama’s starting outside linebacker in 2010 and 2011, and was named the 2012 BCS National Championship MVP.

Cody only plays on first and second down, but his run-stopping ability has proved invaluable to the Ravens defense. Upshaw, a rookie, is the starting outside linebacker for the Ravens, and while he isn’t lighting up the stat sheet this year, he has shown a lot of potential on the edge as a pass rusher, and has been better than expected in stopping the run.

Next you have the man running the show for the Ravens defense: Dean Pees. He was the defensive coordinator for Saban way back in 1990 when Saban was the head coach at Toledo. He then followed Saban to Michigan State to be his defensive coordinator from 1995-1997, before Pees got his first head coaching job at Kent State, Saban’s Alma Mater.

Also in today’s Crimson White:

[Column] Years of disappointment turn to excitement in preparation for Super Bowl Sunday

Men’s tennis team to head to N.Y. to play double-header

Justin Thomas and Bobby Wyatt added to Ben Hogan Award watch list