Comparing Alabama & Clemson; Saban Fires Kiffin; Cumulative Football Statistics; Women's Basketball Falls In SEC Opener; What Saban Said On The SEC Network; 4-Star Surprise Picks Tide; Tide Football Has 26 Commits For 2017; Alabama Gymnastics To Open Season January 6th

Comparing Alabama & Clemson For National Championship

This national championship game should be the toughest contest between two tough contenders, the No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide and the No. 2 ranked Clemson Tigers. The numbers both offensively and defensively are fairly even with one glaring exception: the Clemson passing game is rated at seventh while the Alabama passing offense is rated 81st. Offensively, the Tigers hold the upper hand, while the Crimson Tide is in charge defensively.

At 14-0, the Alabama defense is No. 1 in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense. Bama's overall sack total (50) is second only to Florida State's. Clemson sits only one sack behind the Tide with 49 sacks on the year.

Alabama has the edge in turnover margin, a +8 following the three takeaways in the Peach Bowl this past Saturday. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is definitely one of the nation's best quarterbacks, but he does have 17 interceptions on the year as compared to 38 touchdowns.

Here's a look at the key comparisons between the two teams:

Rushing offense

11. Alabama 250.9
62. Clemson 175.4

Passing offense

7. Clemson 327.8
81. Alabama 215.2

Total offense
12. Clemson 503.1
31. Alabama 462.5

Scoring offense
13. Clemson 39.5
14. Alabama 39.4

Rushing defense
1. Alabama 62.0
19. Clemson 123.1

Passing defense
14. Alabama 182.0
16. Clemson 183.8

Total defense
1. Alabama 244.0
8. Clemson 306.9

Scoring defense
1. Alabama 11.8
8. Clemson 17.0

Turnover margin
24. Alabama +8
65. Clemson +1

Penalties
15. Alabama 41 ypg
90. Clemson 59.6 ypg

3rd down offense
5. Clemson 51.2%
21. Alabama 46.1%

3rd down defense
6. Clemson 28.9%
7. Alabama 30.0%

Sacks by
2. Alabama 50
3. Clemson 49

Red zone conversions
25. Alabama 88.9%
77. Clemson 83.3%

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Saban Fires Kiffin
Sarkisian Will Take Over For National Championship

UA Photo

Though calling it a "mutually agreed upon decision," University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban has fired offensive coordinator and FAU head coach Lane Kiffin. Saban says there won't really be a change in what will be happening in the play-calling aspect of the Crimson Tide offense, it will just be a different guy calling the plays. In this case, that different guy is new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. 

Come January 9th, Alabama will still be coached by Nick Saban. The offense will be directly handled by Steve Sarkisian. Kiffin is heading immediately for Florida Atlantic University. The Alabama Crimson Tide is hitting the practice field for the National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers. Steve Sarkisian will submitting his game plan to Saban, and the rest will show up in the game.

Saban told ESPN, "We made the decision because it was in the best interest of our players, our program and for Lane for him to assume his duties at Florida Atlantic. We mutually agreed that this was best for both programs."

It has been reported that Kiffin had been late to several events in the past week leading up to the Peach Bowl, which included more than one team meeting as well as media day. Sources told ESPN's Brett McMurphy that some of the Alabama staff members said that they "were done with" Kiffin.

On Thursday, Kiffin appeared 15 minutes late to the team's Peach Bowl media day and was the last Alabama coach to leave the event. By the time he got out of the Georgia Dome locker room to where the buses were supposed to be, they were already headed back to the team hotel in downtown Atlanta.

Kiffin said he expects an easy transition for Sarkisian, noting how Sarkisian's personality should mesh better with Saban's than his did.

Saban said in a statement, "This wasn't an easy decision and we appreciate the way Lane handled this in terms of doing what is best for our team. At the end of the day, both of us wanted to put our players in the best position to be successful. Obviously, we are in a unique situation here where we have our next offensive coordinator already on staff. We have full confidence that Sark will step in right away and make this a smooth transition."

Kiffin commented, "After going through these last couple of weeks, trying to serve the best interests of two universities as an offensive coordinator and a head coach, it became apparent that both programs would be better served by me giving all my time and efforts to being the head coach at FAU. After meeting with Coach Saban during preparations last night and this morning, we mutually decided that it was in everyone's best interests for the players and the program for Coach Sarkisian to take over all responsibilities as offensive coordinator for the championship game.

"This was a very difficult decision, but it's a decision made in the best interests of the program. I look forward to helping Alabama win another championship, and would like to thank Coach Saban, the staff, and all the players and fans for the past three years at UA for an unforgettable time and championship run. Roll Tide!"

UA Photo

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2016 Cumulative Football Statistics

Here is a look at the cumulative statistics through 14 games of the 2016 season for The University of Alabama football team.                     

Statistic	ALABAMA	Opponents
Scoring
Points Per Game	39.36	11.43
Total	551	160
First Downs
Rushing	171	63
Passing	117	106
Penalty	11	17
Total	299	186
Rushing
Yards Gained	3812	1440
Yards Lost	358	572
Attempts	605	434
Average Per Attempt	5.7	2.0
Avg. Per Game	246.7	62.0
Touchdowns	30	3
Total	3454	868
Passing
Att-Comp-Int	385-251-9	450-237-16
Avg. Per Attempt	7.79	5.66
Avg. Per Game	214.21	182.00
Touchdowns	25	12
Total	2999	2548
Total Offense
Total Plays	990	884
Avg. Per Play	6.5	3.9
Avg. Per Game	460.9	244.0
Total Yards	6453	3416
Touchdowns	70	16
Returns
Kickoff: Average	19.60	21.22
Kickoff: Total	25-490	51-1082
Punt: Average	15.73	11.05
Punt: Total	33-519	19-210
INT: Average	24.88	10.67
INT: Total	16-398	9-96
Kicking
Punt: Avg. Yards Per Game	47.44	43.24
Punt: Net Average	43.56	41.18
Punt: Total Yards	54-2562	102-4410
FG: Good-Attempts	21-28	16-21
Onside Kicks	0-0	1-2
Penalties
Avg. Per Game (YDS)	41.29	31.14
Total-Yards	77-578	55-436
Time Of Possession
Avg. Per Game	31:20	28:40
Total	07:18:43	06:41:17
Miscellaneous
3rd Down Conversions	89-193 (46.11 %)	66-220 (30.00 %)
4th Down Conversions	9-16 (56.25 %)	4-21 (19.05 %)
Fumbles-Lost	25-10	24-11
Sacks-Yards Lost	50-408	24-143
Misc. Yards	0	0
Red Zone: Attempts-Scores	56-63	17-21
Red Zone: Touchdowns	39-63	8-21

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Alabama Women's Basketball

Crimson Tide Falls In SEC Opener 

UA Photo

COLUMBIA, South Carolina – Unfortunately it wasn't even close. The University of Alabama women's basketball team fell, and fell hard, at the hands of the sixth-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks 93-45 on Sunday afternoon in its Southeastern Conference at Colonial Life Arena. The Crimson Tide drops to 12-2 overall, 0-1 SEC while the Gamecocks improve to 11-1 overall, 1-0 SEC.

Alabama women's head basketball coach Kristy Curry gave major kudos to the Gamecocks, saying, "All the credit goes to South Carolina. There are four pros in that starting lineup. Hats off to them."

Leading the scoring for the Crimson Tide was freshman Jordan Lewis with 10 points in addition to a team-high four assists. Juniors Meoshonti Knight and Ashley Williams finished as the Tide's co-leader in rebounds with six apiece. South Carolina was led by senior Alaina Coates and junior A'ja Wilson combining for 42 points, 20 rebounds, four blocks and five steals.

Alabama was a terrible 16-of-59 (27.1 percent) from the field in shooting, while South Carolina shot 34-of 64 (53.1 percent). Rebounding, usually a strong point for the Tide, was outrebounded by the Gamecocks 44-27, and scored 54 points in the paint compared to Alabama's 14.

Curry commented, "The thing for us is that we have to realize we have 15 opportunities ahead of us. It's a marathon and not a sprint. We need to turn the page quickly on this one and get prepared for Ole Miss."

Next up for the Crimson Tide are the Rebels of Ole Miss. Alabama will play host in Bama's SEC home opener on Thursday, January 5th. Tip off will be at 7 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast on SEC Network +.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	UA	SC
FG%	.271	.531
3FG%	.250	.375
FT%	.750	.731
RB	27	44
TO	22	14
STL	6	12

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What Saban Said About Peach Bowl Win

Interviewed On SEC Network

Click HERE to watch Saban interview

Video Courtesy SEC Network

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Crimson Tide Football Picks Up Surprise 4-Star Commit

Xavier McKinney announces for Alabama
Twitter/McKinney Photo

The year 2017 has opened on a surprising bright note as the Alabama Crimson Tide football team picked up a commitment for the upcoming graduating class that pretty much no expected. Four-star safety Xavier McKinney from Roswell, Georgia recommitted to Alabama after most all experts expected that he would select the Clemson Tigers as his school of choice. McKinney made his announcement at the Under Armour All-American game yesterday.

Yes, McKinney had previously committed to the Tide, but then backed off that commitment and reopened his recruitment. All signs pointed to the youngster heading to the Tigers. He de-committed from the Crimson Tide previously back in July.

Credit Alabama's Derrick Ansley for bringing McKinney into the fold. He was primary recruiter and didn't give up on the youngster even after he became a Clemson lean.

McKinney becomes the fourth defensive back in the 2017 class for the Tide, and the 26th overall commit as Alabama solidifies its number one ranked class, according to 247Sports Team Rankings. The 6' 1", 192-pounder will indeed be a big addition to the Bama recruiting class. McKinney is rated the No. 8 safety as well as No. 70 overall player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. 

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2017 Football Commitments For Alabama Football

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team currently has 26 student-athletes who have committed to furthering their football careers at the Capstone. As new commits are announced the list will be updated and released. 

Here is the complete list of 2017 commitments to UA as of 01/02/16:

• Najee Harris, RB (6-1, 210), Antioch, California 
• Alex Leatherwood, OL (6-4, 300), Pensacola, Florida
• Chadarius Townsend, ATH, (6-0, 180), Tanner, Alabama*
• Brian Robinson, RB (6-2, 210), Tuscaloosa, Alabama*
• VanDarius Cowan, LB (6-4, 217), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
• Tua Tagovailoa, QB (6-1, 210), Honolulu, Hawaii
• Elliot Baker, OL (6-7, 295), City College of San Francisco (California)
• Mac Jones, QB (6-2, 185), Jacksonville, Florida
• Markail Benton, LB (6-2, 245), Phenix City, Alabama*
• Brandon Ruiz, K (5-10, 165), Gilbert, Arizona
• Tyrell Shavers, LB ( 6-6, 202), Lewisville, Texas
• Thomas Fletcher, C (6-2, 220), Bradenton, Florida
• Akial Byers, DL, (6-4,  275), Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Jhavonte Dean, (6-2, 189), Homestead, Florida
• Hunter Brannon, (6-4, 290), Cullman, Alabama*
• Jerry Jeudy, ( 6-1, 177), Deerfield Beach, Florida
• Kyriq McDonald, DB (5-11, 185), Madison, Alabama*
• Kendall Randolph, OL (6-5, 290), Madison, Alabama*
• Kedrick James, TE (6-5, 250), Waco, Texas
• Dylan Moses, LB (6-3, 235), IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida
• Major Tennison, TE (6-6, 230), Bullard, Texas
• Jedrick Wills, OT, (6-5, 318), Lexington, Kentucky
• Christopher Allen, LB (6-4, 234), Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Daniel Wright, DB (6-1, 187), Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Isaiah Buggs, DL (6-5, 290), Mississippi Gulf Coast
• Xavier McKinney, S (6-1, 192), Roswell, Georgia

*State of Alabama Recruits/Commitments

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Alabama Gymnastics To Open Season January 6th

UA Photo

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - The University of Alabama gymnastics team is set to open its 2016-17 this Friday, January 6th against the Oklahoma Sooners. The Crimson Tide opens the season ranked No. 3 in nation, while Oklahoma starts their campaign at No. 1 for the second consecutive year.

Alabama gymnastics head coach Dana Duckworth, said that the Tide goal is "to be on the floor of the national championships on the last night of the season, with a chance to win." Alabama is the only program in the nation to finish in the top four nationally each of the last eight seasons, including back-to-back NCAA championships in 2011 and 2012 and a third-place finish in 2016. Following the game against No. 1, Bama must face the No. 2 team in LSU just one week later.

"There's no doubt we have one of the toughest schedules in the nation this season, especially starting out with No. 1 and No. 2," Duckworth said. "We'll definitely need our fans out in force both at home and on the road. Their support means everything to our ladies, especially when LSU, Florida and Auburn come to Tuscaloosa for our first three home meets."