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The box: 2012 Upper Deck University of Alabama Crimson Tide football cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: Check online.
Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 192
Base set completion:
100 of 100 (100 percent)
Duplicates: 20
Notables on base cards – Nick Saban, Paul “Bear” Bryant, Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Lee Roy Jordan, Ken Stabler, John Hannah, Ozzie Newsome, Cornelius Bennett, Derrick Thomas, Shaun Alexander
Insert/short-print cards: 71 (gallery below)
All-time Alumni (21) – Notables include Julio Jones, Bart Starr, Cornelius Bennett, Mark Ingram, Ken Stabler, Joe Namath, Derrick Thomas, John Hannah
All-time Alumni Duos (6) – Jeff Rutledge & Steadman Shealy, Ken Stabler & Joe Namath, Ozzie Newsome & Julio Jones, Mark Ingram & Trent Richardson, Bart Starr & Ken Stabler, Tony Nathan & Steve Whitman
All-time Alumni Trios (3) – Ken Stabler, Lee Roy Jordan & John Hannah; Mark Ingram, Shaun Alexander & Bobby Humphrey; Jay Barker, Jeff Rutledge & Steadman Shealy
Icons (2) – Julio Jones, John Hannah
NCAA All-Americans (14) – Notables include Joe Namath, Mark Ingram, Derrick Thomas, Ozzie Newsome, John Hannah, Shaun Alexander
National Champions (17) – Notables include David Palmer, Joe Namath, Mark Ingram
National Champions Duals (4) – Jay Barker & Prince Wimbley, Wilbur Jackson & Wayne Wheeler, Trent Richardson & Marquis Maze, Joe Namath & Ray Perkins
National Champions Trios (4) – Nick Saban, Mark Ingram & Greg McElroy; Joe Namath, Pay Perkins & Paul Crane; Trent Richardson, Marquis Maze & Dre Kirkpatrick; Jay Barker, David Palmer & George Teague
Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
National Champions Autographs (1) – Lee Roy Jordan (/25)
What’s Buzz-worthy: Why did Buzz opt for this break? Well, the Alabama Crimson Tide is undefeated and No. 1 heading into the Iron Bowl against Auburn — and this set is arguably the best college football set ever made for the storied program that has produced not only the most bowl game wins and appearances but also 16 national championships and eight members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. … You get one autograph per box here and a ton of inserts that don’t really feel like inserts — that’s the only real drawback for the fun grade is that they feel too alike — and like subset cards. The star here? It’s the simple 100-card base set that’s loaded with names — both those known nationally like Namath, Starr and Stabler — and those known only to dedicated Crimson Tide fans like John Croyle and Van Tiffin. … The photography here is typically top-notch when it can be — availability of old images are always an issue no matter what the sport — and the design is crisp and tight, though simple. … The autograph in this one was strong — and a guy who easily could be in the discussion for the Pro Football Hall of Fame — and the autograph lineup that’s out there in boxes beyond this one is impressive. … College cards often have a limited regional appeal or at least a more-limited appeal than the pro stuff but this release is a strong one for a program that has dominated even more in the five years since its release.
Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A
Fun Grade: B+
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