Alabama’s permanent captains for ‘08:
December 7, 2008
Center Antoine Caldwell, safety Rashad Johnson and quarterback John Parker Wilson — all seniors — were voted by teammates as permanent captains and honored during Alabama’s football awards banquet tonight.
Caldwell and Johnson were team captains in 2007. Only six players in school history had been multi-year captains before this season.
“The seniors on this team should have a legacy on this team and be remembered by they were the team that brought a lot of pride back to the University of Alabama, to the football program and to the people of the state of Alabama who support it,” Tide coach Nick Saban said. “And I think that should be their legacy; that they went undefeated in the regular season, which is a very difficult thing to do.”
In a bit of a surprise, tailback Glen Coffee was named the team’s most valuable player. More @ AL.com
Tide lets game slip away to Gators
December 7, 2008
TUSCALOOSA | All that stood between the University of Alabama football team and a chance to play for a national championship was 15 minutes — and Tim Tebow.
That proved to be too much.
Alabama took a three-point lead into the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship Game on Saturday in the Georgia Dome, but watched its grasp on greatness slip away as Florida pulled away for a 31-20 victory, the first loss of the year for the Crimson Tide.
The victory will put Florida in the BCS title game in early January, as well as giving the Gators the SEC title. Alabama is expected to take a bid to the Sugar Bowl, where it will face Utah and wonder what might have been.
As in any classic game — and the contest did live up to most, if not all, of the pregame hyperbole — every moment, from Florida’s opening touchdown drive to John Parker Wilson’s late, coffin-closing interception, resonated in some way. But no sequence was more important than Florida’s go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter.
“I don’t know the entire history of Florida football, but I can imagine that drive going down as one of the greatest ever,” said Florida coach Urban Meyer.
The Crimson Tide had just taken the lead by powering the football down the field on an impressive 65-yard drive, or, as Meyer described it, “jamming it down our throats.” But the drive ended, not in a touchdown, but in a 27-yard Leigh Tiffin field goal, putting the Crimson Tide ahead 20-17.
“I thought that would have been a big momentum thing right there, if we had scored a touchdown instead of a field goal,” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said.
Still, Alabama had taken the lead. Florida started its answering drive in good field position after Brandon James — a weapon for the Gators all day long — returned the UA kickoff to the 37-yard line. The Gators moved into Alabama territory and, on a crucial third-and-three, appeared to have been stopped short of a first down at the Crimson Tide 43-yard line. But UA freshman linebacker Donta Hightower was flagged for a facemask violation, putting the Gators at the Crimson Tide 28. Five plays later, Jeffery Demps scored from the 1-yard line to give Florida a lead it never relinquished.
Saban described Alabama’s attempt to answer on the next series as “not very good.”
“We tried a deep ball, didn’t hit, didn’t run very well on second down, couldn’t convert (on a pass) on third down and had to punt,” Saban said. “It was a really critical series for us.”
Florida’s answering drive pushed the Tide’s stalling from “critical” to “decisive.” Powered by Tebow, the game’s MVP, Florida marched 65 yards and scored again. Tebow hit a 33-yard pass to Louis Murphy to flip field position, then — after a penalty on the UF sidelines pushed the Gators back from the 1-yard line — the junior threw a six-yard strike to Riley Cooper to put UF ahead 31-20.
Alabama managed one first down on its next possession, but a harried Wilson threw an interception that ended all Alabama hopes with 99 seconds to play. More @ TideSports.com
SEC Championship Show with Ken Taylor
December 3, 2008
Direct Download - Length: 38min Size: 32mb
Guest: Ken Taylor - Former Track Coach @ Nease High School -
As no surprise to Bama fans, the national pundits say Alabama should all but forfeit the upcoming 2008 SEC Championship game this Saturday. I guess they think we’ll get totally dominated just as the likes of LSU, Georgia and others - that’s okay. There is no other position I’d rather THIS undefeated Bama team be than a 10 point underdog. Actually I wish Vegas would just widen the point spread even more!
Before I go into a rant on national media, we’ve got great guest on this weeks show! Ken Taylor is the former track coach @ Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, FL. You know Nease High for where Florida QB Tim Tebow was recruited from, along with Bama LB Charlie Kirschman and WR Will Oakley. Ken has a plethora of insight on this upcoming SEC championship game. Having roots in Florida and Alabama, Ken Helps to cover this game like no other. - We’ll see you in Atlanta! If your going to the game, send us an email: RollTide@tidecast.net
Intro resignation of Tommy Tubberville brought to you by: Jeff Roney of www.roneyzone.com
Co-hosts, Larry and Ben
ROLL FREAKIN TIDE!!!
Alabama D Ready For Tebow?
December 3, 2008
Post Iron Bowl / SEC Champ Talk
December 3, 2008
Tide ROLLS - On To The ATL!
December 1, 2008
The Rivalry of Rivalry’s - Iron Bowl show with Van Tiffin
November 27, 2008
Iron Bowl. It’s here. The moment Crimson Tide fans have waited for all season long. It’s almost like the year has been set-up just for this one game. Pre-season, Auburn was voted SEC champions (by the SEC media) and Alabama had a couple years to go to gain respect as a dominating force. Ohhh how the Tide turns. But obviously, a lot has changed since pre-season. No one in the Crimson nation would have ever thought Bama would be in the position they are now, much less the wonderful national media.
The tigers hope to keep their Iron Bowl streak in tact and continue on to a bowl game while the Tide hope to stay undefeated before heading to the ATL next week. But Bama has something else in mind - REVENGE!. If Bama wins, not only will this put the Barn out of a bowl bid, but as we have all been hearing about, it could mean “bye bye” for “Big Ears”. “It’s a very important game in this state, in this conference, and nationally,” Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. “I think that a lot of people will be watching, obviously, for the simple reason that is the ranking of Alabama and where they’re at.” “We’ve got a lot of work we need to do to try to get into this game, in terms of having a chance to win. Our players know that and our coaches know that. We’re playing on the road, but again, it’s only one game and we might as well give it a three-hour shot. We’ve had great preparation for it and we’ll see what happens.”
Guest: Van Tiffin - Alabama placekicker from ‘83-’86.
Music: Mj & Jasean - “Iron Bowl Song”
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!
Ben & Larry
rolltide@tidecast.net
Nordstrom’s Notes: Auburn Week - Breaking down the Iron Bowl
November 27, 2008
By: Tim Nordsrom
Hello Tide Fans,
Well, it is Auburn week and we come into this game a two touchdown favorite. Forget that we have lost the last 6 in row. The last time we, as fans, really felt like we could win was in 2005. I think we feel the same about Saturday’s game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. We have ended streaks to LSU and Mississippi State and dominated when we were picked, by the “experts”, to be dominated.
I would like to write a lot more than I have, but as a full-time student my school work takes precedence and I have a full slate. With it being Thanksgiving today I decided to give you some of my thoughts on the past few games and what I think will happen Saturday.
My last blog was during Ole Miss week. I was still in a wait and see mode because we were about to hit the meat of our schedule. Not that it was the most difficult opponents of the season, but because for the past few season’s this time of the season was when we would fold.
I attended the Tennessee game for the 5th time since 1998 in Neyland Stadium. I was quite nervous about how we would perform and the team put that to rest with a solid performance that forced the UT UNfaithful to head to the exits. I knew that there would be alot of TIDE fans there when the week leading up to the game the UT ticket office put a few thousand tickets back up for sale. There were alot of us there, the most that I have ever seen in Neyland Stadium. Rammer Jammer was awesome and we sang it like birds and just hearing the echo inside of the UT HOME stadium was music to my ears in more ways than one.
The only home game I didn’t attend this season was the ASU homecoming game. We took care of business and I was glad to see that. I was of the belief that ASU is better than Tulane AND Western Kentucky. I was hoping we wouldn’t let them hang around like we did Tulane and was very happy with the outcome.
Next was the LSU game. I was relieved at halftime when, as bad as we had played, we still were in the game. Both teams had several missed opportunities, but we made our breaks and as I predicted about UT, LSU AND Auburn their QB problems have come back to haunt them late in the season. We got out of Tiger Stadium with a win and still undefeated at 10-0.
I attended the Mississippi State game and had the best seats EVER!!! I was right next to the players tunnel with a great view of the field. Those “RED” seats next to the field make you feel like you are IN the game. I had a blast and after a slow start our special teams took over and gave us the breaks we needed to win the game and end a streak that never should have been.
Now to the Auburn game. I have said this all along, that Auburn has won six games against teams that were coming off of TWO back-to-back probations. They have not beat an Alabama team straight up, even playing field in terms of scholarship players. This is the first year that that is going to happen. Tuberville has been dubbed as a genius who coaches UP players and is a good recruiter. Hell I could recruit against anybody when they are on probation and for the first few years had a post season bowl ban. Add to that that we had a mediocre, at best, coach AND recruiter…..it was meant to happen for Auburn. If they didn’t have a 6 game win streak it would be SAD!!!
We have a coach, we have the players, we are at HOME!!!! Make it matter guys. If you are at the game Saturday, as I will be, make Auburn wish the game was back in Birmingham at 50-50 ticket sales. We as fans are our teams advantage. No matter if Auburn goes up 14-0 in the first quarter, keep making noise. I want us to be heard all the way up here in Huntsville!!!
On Offense:
Don’t be surprised when we start out in 5 wides and throw the ball deep on the first play. There will be motion out of the backfield to throw the defense off, but I look for a deep ball to Julio or Maze to get things off to a fast start and put Auburn on their heals. They match up with us pretty good on the line, but I think their secondary is their weakest link. So, I look for JPW to make a run at 300+ yards passing and I think Terry Grant will make his first substantial contributions of the season getting 5-10 touches and motioning from RB out to WR or vice versa on few few plays. He is my ace in the hole for this game. Alexander and Jones will have big games at WR along with Maze. I think they will get thrown to quite a bit and Auburn will try to double and triple cover Julio and bump him at the line regularly. Once Alexander and Maze get it rolling, the coverage on Julio will ease up a bit. I look for Bama to get close to 500 yards on offense and score 35-45 points
On Defense:
They have a quick QB, their WR have under achieved all season, and they have a pretty good stable at running back. What would you do? Man up on the receivers and blitz the dog mess out of them from every angle possible. Scheme is the name of the game here. Blitz both corners from the nickel while your LBs cover the middle and safeties cover the outside receivers and drop a lineman….. Blitz everybody, but the lineman and safeties… Put Burns on his heals, similar to Gino Torreta years ago. Get in his head early and my 35-40 point prediction will look SMALL!!! First of all up front, you have to start with TC. Auburn will be determined not to allow him to make an impact, but when he is in the game he is GOING to. They will try to establish the run early and keep the ball away from our offense. If we do what I mentioned it will shut down both the run and the pass. I think they will eventually go to some spread looks to ease up the pressure and run Burns and get some success. I don’t think they will succeed and we will keep them to 17 points or less for the game. I think they kick 3 field goals and get one touchdown and the TD will be late.
My Prediction by Quarter:
1st- Bama 10 Auburn 3
2nd-Bama (14)24 Auburn (3)6
3rd-Bama (14)38 Auburn (3)9
4th- Bama (3)41 Auburn (7)16
Bama will have:
300+ yards passing
150+ yards rushing
One punt return for a TD.
-Tim
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The Iron Bowl - Seen from British eyes
November 24, 2008
Iron Bowl week arrives
November 24, 2008
Christopher Walsh-Tuscaloosa News:
TUSCALOOSA | Every week, University of Alabama coach Nick Saban has a clear, concise message for his team depending upon the opponent and circumstances.
This week, one has to wonder if it’ll primarily be “It’s just another game, and another step toward where we want to be,” or more of, “Auburn’s won six straight in the series.”
“It’s kind of both,” senior quarterback John Parker Wilson said. “You’re not going to fool anybody about who we’re playing. We know we’re playing Auburn and haven’t beaten them in a long time. We hadn’t beat Mississippi State in a long time or LSU, Tennessee on the road.
“I feel like we’ve been in big games in big situations, handled it well. We’re just going to do the same thing.”
The week college football fans throughout the state wait all year for has finally arrived, when Alabama and Auburn close out the regular season with the rivalry meeting that dates back to Feb. 22, 1893.
“We obviously have the biggest game we play every year,” Tommy Tuberville said during last week’s SEC coaches conference call.
Like so many times before, a lot is riding on the outcome.
No. 1 Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC) will play Florida in the conference championship game next week, and controls its own destiny for the national championship.
Auburn (5-6, 2-5) needs to win to be bowl eligible and salvage its season. The Tigers have ruined the Tide’s title chances before, and would like nothing better than to do so again.
“If they beat Alabama as the No. 1 team, it’s not all that bad,” Wilson said.
Although the game is widely regarded and hyped as one in which the records really don’t matter, the Tide will be distinct favorite despite AU enjoying its longest winning streak in the series ever. More - Tuscaloosa News
