| My alma mater — the University of Alabama — had a lot to live up to heading into the 2012 football season. The Crimson Tide was the 2011 consensus national champion after shutting down LSU 21-0 in the BCS final. And folks were expecting the Tide to roll in this next season too. But there's a reality that holds true when you're the top dog, whether it's in sports, politics, or business: When you're No. 1, you've got a bullseye on your back because everyone below your top spot is gunning for you. That was certainly true for Alabama Coach Nick Saban and his players coming into that 2012 season. Saban, one of the greatest college coaches ever, knew the team had to focus forward, avoid complacency and the “championship letdown,” and be ready for stepped-up game plans from every team they faced. The season got off to a tough start with a narrow win over Michigan and a come-from-behind victory over LSU. After that, the team seemed to find its groove and would win its first nine games — thanks to a good-enough offense and a defense that could put points on the board, even as it stopped opponents cold. That's not to say those wins came easily. Opponents like LSU and Georgia played their best ball against Alabama — understanding the cachet that would come from knocking off the defending national champ. Then came the tenth game of the season against underdog Texas A&M. The Aggies brought their “A” game, and upset the Crimson Tide — dropping Alabama to No. 4 in the national rankings. After that loss, Saban & Co. knuckled down. They won their last three games, including at least one upset, and earned their way back to the national championship game — against the top-ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, a surprise contender that year. As the defending champs, but underdogs, Alabama faced mind-numbing hype. Faced it — but was unfazed by it. The Crimson Tide offense rolled up 529 yards of total offense, its defense held Notre Dame to a mere two touchdowns, and they beat the Fighting Irish 42-14. One side note: Alabama would be the last team to repeat as national champs until 2022 — cementing its place as one of the greatest college football teams of all time. If you haven't already guessed, I was at that game. I yelled myself hoarse. And I learned a crucial lesson about responding to pressure – and what it takes to keep your top spot. You buckle down, you continually refine what you do, and you expand your areas of dominance. EV pioneer Tesla (TSLA) is in the same spot today that Alabama was heading into that 2012 football season. Like Alabama, Tesla is the defending champ as the leader of the electric vehicle (EV) market. Like Alabama, Tesla faces hungry challengers. Like Alabama, Tesla has a bullseye on its back. Most important of all: We believe that Tesla, like Alabama, will buckle down, refine what it does, and expand its dominance. My passion for Tesla may not run as deep as my passion for Crimson Tide football. But I'm a fan nevertheless. A big fan. Even with the big bullseye on its back, there are three big reasons Tesla will continue to dominate the EV space. And those are the same three reasons you'll want to own Tesla's shares today… (Full story here.) Click here to continue reading online | 
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