This run by Bama is not real uncommon. Probably actually the norm outside of a small window at the beginning of the BCS era. Pretty much the way college sports in general is set up.
Not basketball, not anymore. Your power teams are always going to be factors, because they get the best recruits, but they are no more guaranteed to win than any other. Heck, the NBA has less parity than any college sport. When's the last time they had a new champion, never won it before? 2005?