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Must-Win Situation For Tide Today
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Today is another must-win game for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team if it hopes to keep its SEC and National Championship hopes alive. A loss today would pretty much rule out either.
The Tide will take on the Texas A&M Aggies this afternoon at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Game time for television is at 2:30 p.m. while kickoff is scheduled for 2:39 p.m.
One can expect this game to be a little more difficult than the 59-0 shellacking the Crimson Tide handed to the Aggies last season in Tuscaloosa. Neither is the same team. But you can bet A&M hasn't forgotten the embarrassment.
TexasA&M will definitely be looking for some revenge this year, especially inside their "own house." A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis has admitted this game with the Crimson Tide is a big deal. Chavis told reporters earlier this week, "I think, yeah, I hate to admit it, but probably so. You look at their stature. This is a big game for Texas A&M. My focus is on Texas A&M and this game being about us, but certainly, you've got a chance to go and compete against one of the best teams in the league and if that doesn't get you excited as a coach or player, you've got something missing. Players get (excited) for a game like this and coaches do too."
The Aggies defense is pretty strong when it comes to the passing game, but is suspect when faced with Alabama's strength: the running game. A&M is giving up an average of 4.57 yards per carry, and will be hard-pressed to stop Bama's big man, Derrick Henry, if the offensive line performs better than it did against Arkansas last week.
Chavis was asked if there might be any new wrinkles on defense this week since the Tide coaching staff knew his defensive philosophy so well. He replied, "We're not going to change our scheme. It's been tested at times and I need to help our players more at times with calls, but we're not going to change what we do. We're not going to do what somebody else does, we're not copycats. And they're going to know what we're going to do too, because we won't change."
So it's a matter of execution. Both teams are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the other. Both have outstanding players in the so-called skill positions. It will be a game of both smash-mouth and finesse. But this is one week we don't need to try to get into a scoring battle. Expect Bama to pound out the yardage, yet still air-it-out to help open up the ground game. If quarterback Jake Coker can go through his reads properly, and the offensive line is able to give him cover, expect Coker to connect with several of his receivers.
Of course us "old-timers" are well aware of the Paul "Bear" Bryant and Gene Stallings connections to Texas A&M University, with both former Alabama Coaches having coached there, and Stallings played there. It is not lost on the Tide faithful that both brought dignity, class, honor, and national championships to the university.
Football prognosticators are divided on the favorite, though Alabama has been installed as favorite overall. ESPN commentators are split, and of course everyone is awaiting the announcement of the crew from College GameDay and the Corso headgear.
The SEC Network's pregame show, SEC Nation, will originate from Spence Park in College Station this morning. For those of you at the game, head on over early, airtime 9 a.m., and see Paul Finebaum, Tim Tebow, Marcus Spears, Greg McElroy and the show's host, Joe Tessitore. Not only will they give you in-depth information on today's match up, but provide insight into today's SEC contest.
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Johnson Looks For Tide Basketball To Be Balanced
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Alabama men's basketball head coach Avery Johnson has been very complimentary of his team. Bama now has 10 practices under its belt, and Johnson has been pleased with what he's seeing.
Johnson said, "The energy in practice has been great. The guys have been working awfully hard. They are sharing the basketball, they are moving up and down the floor at the type of speed that we want to play. The main thing is they are very coachable. They are like little sponges, and it has been a joy to work with them on a daily basis."
Not only has the team's energy pleased Johnson, but he also likes the enthusiasm coming from the young men learning a new style of play. "Our guys are working hard every day, morning, noon and night," said Johnson. "We got started with our first practice back on October 2nd at 6 a.m. They’ve bought in to what we’re doing and what we’re trying to accomplish on both ends of the floor, because it’s very important to us to be a balanced team this year. The energy and enthusiasm have far greater exceeded my expectations."
Johnson did point out that work is still to be done. "In terms of execution, we still have ways to go. That’s to be expected, but it’s not because there is any confusion or gray area on what we’re trying to accomplish."
Coach did point out that the chemistry of the team is something he is very pleased with. Numerous members of the squad work to bring unity to the team in every way possible. Johnson pointed out that the two redshirts, Nick King and Avery Johnson, Jr. have been instrumental in helping the team bond. He said, "Even though they (King and Johnson, Jr.) are not playing, they do a great job of keeping our team focused and together."
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The Kenny Stabler Memorial Endowed Football Scholarship
All of the following is a direct quote from Battle's statement at RollTide.com:
" As you all know, we lost one of our greats, Kenny Stabler, to colon cancer on July 8, 2015, at the age of 69. In fitting tribute to Kenny, the Crimson Tide Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the Kenny Stabler Memorial Endowed Football Scholarship. An initial gift has already been received to launch this initiative and we would love to see this become a fully endowed scholarship to honor his memory. Kenny became an icon of Crimson Tide football when, in 1966, he led the Tide to an undefeated (11-0) season that ended in a 34-7 victory over Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl. Kenny was that rarest of football legends as a leader who created magical moments in both his college and pro playing days.
"The moment of his Crimson Tide career that left an indelible imprint on history is his famous "Run in the Mud" in the 1967 Iron Bowl. Trailing Auburn, 3-0, in a game played in a torrential downpour, Kenny somehow managed to scramble through the mud, driving rain and standing water for a 53-yard, game-winning touchdown which gave the Tide a 7-3 victory at Legion Field. Kenny was drafted in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He went on to lead the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl crown in 1976, the highlight of a pro career in which he took part in some of the most memorable plays and games in the history of the sports.
"Kenny was truly one of a kind. Few men - if any - have been a part of so many crucial moments of a particular sport. And none did it with the style, poise and leadership under pressure that Kenny consistently displayed. The Crimson Tide Foundation is seeking those who wish to contribute to this very special tribute to Kenny. Through their generous giving the memory of Kenny will continue by allowing a student-athlete playing varsity football to fulfill their dream as a member of the Crimson Tide. For information about the Kenny Stabler Memorial Endowed Football Scholarship, please call (205) 348-9727."
Bill Battle was appointed to the post of Director of Athletics at the University of Alabama by University President Dr. Judy Bonner and approved by the board of trustees March 22, 2013.
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Tide Tennis Captures 9 Wins Friday
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Nine.
That's the number of wins the Alabama men's tennis team brought home on Friday. Yesterday was the second day of the 2015 USTA/ITA Southern Regional Championships hosted by UA. Seven of the Crimson Tide's wins were singles win, with the other two coming in doubles matches.
A complete rundown of the Tide's day can be found at RollTide.com .
Championship play continues today beginning at 9 a.m. CT.
