****************************************************************************************************************
Crimson Tide Begins LSU Week Practices
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The bye week is over, and the University of Alabama football team has returned to full practice and game preparation for this Saturday's matchup with LSU. Bama worked out yesterday for approximately 90 minutes in shells underneath an overcast sky on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.
The team spent last week on mainly fundamentals, and will continue this week, but are now heavily working on the game strategy for the Bengal Tigers.
Bama wide receiver Raheem Falkins, who suffered a bone fracture in his leg back during the summer, was practicing in a black non-contact jersey. Dominick Jackson and Ronnie Harrison, both injured in the game with Tennessee, both practiced. Jackson's left ankle was heavily taped. Both are day-to-day according to Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Eddie Jackson, also injured in the Tennessee game, was able to practice some last week and was back at it yesterday.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will face the undefeated and 4th-ranked LSU Tigers this Saturday, November 7th at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on CBS with Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce once again handling the call.
Bama leads the series 49-25-5, including four consecutive wins dating back to the 2012 AllState BCS National Championship in New Orleans.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coach Saban's Monday Press Briefing
Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban held his usual Monday press conference yesterday in advance of this Saturday's matchup between the 7th-ranked Crimson Tide and the 4th-ranked LSU Tigers.
Saban briefly touched on the recently-announced retirement of Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer. Saban commented, "Frank Beamer has been one of the icons, in my mind, in this era as a coach. One of the great guys in our profession as well."
Running back Derrick Henry was the object of praise from the coach, saying that he had had a "fantastic" year so far. "We couldn't be any more pleased with the way Derrick Henry has played."
Saban is well aware of the explosiveness of LSU running back Leonard Fournette. He pointed out adjustments that have given LSU a passing advantage due to the attention being paid to Fournette by opposing defensive. They're so concentrated on stopping the great running back that is opens up the passing game.
This game could have more passing in it from what Saban said. He commented that he really didn't see either team "being conservative in this game." (Of course this probably means that Twitter coaches will be very vocal AGAIN about the offensive play-calling this weekend.)
Concerning LSU and the skilled positions, Saban said that quarterback Brandon Harris has developed into what he calls an "outstanding" player. Harris has done a good job of limiting mistakes and making big plays when he has had to. He was also very complimentary about LSU sack-leader Lewis Neal, as well as the LSU offensive line, saying their line is the biggest and most physical that Alabama has faced so far this year.
Of course Fournette was mentioned more than once. Saban commented that Fournette is as dominate a player as any in the country.
So that's pretty much a look at the first press conference of the week. Now it's down to the nitty-gritty to be ready to face the SEC West leader. Saban said, "I think we had a very productive bye week and had a chance to work on a lot of things. Now, it's time to refocus on the task at hand."
The No. 7 Tide hosts No. 4 LSU in Bryant-Denny Stadium this Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be aired live on the CBS Network.
This game could have more passing in it from what Saban said. He commented that he really didn't see either team "being conservative in this game." (Of course this probably means that Twitter coaches will be very vocal AGAIN about the offensive play-calling this weekend.)
Concerning LSU and the skilled positions, Saban said that quarterback Brandon Harris has developed into what he calls an "outstanding" player. Harris has done a good job of limiting mistakes and making big plays when he has had to. He was also very complimentary about LSU sack-leader Lewis Neal, as well as the LSU offensive line, saying their line is the biggest and most physical that Alabama has faced so far this year.
Of course Fournette was mentioned more than once. Saban commented that Fournette is as dominate a player as any in the country.
So that's pretty much a look at the first press conference of the week. Now it's down to the nitty-gritty to be ready to face the SEC West leader. Saban said, "I think we had a very productive bye week and had a chance to work on a lot of things. Now, it's time to refocus on the task at hand."
The No. 7 Tide hosts No. 4 LSU in Bryant-Denny Stadium this Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be aired live on the CBS Network.
3 UA Football Players National Award Semifinalists
Three of the Crimson Tide's best have been named to national award semifinalists lists. Yesterday the Maxwell Football Club announced that Alabama running back Derrick Henry, linebacker Reggie Ragland and defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson have been named semifinalists for two awards. Henry has been named for The Maxwell Award, while Robinson and Ragland have been named for the Benarik Award.
Former Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron was the first Tide player to win the pretigious Maxwell Award in 2013. No Crimson Tide player has yet won the Benarik Award.
The Maxwell Award recognizes the Collegiate Player of the Year, while the Chuck Bednarik Award recognizes the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. A field of 19 candidates have been nominated for The Maxwell Award, and 20 for the Bednarik Award. The nominees are all selected by the Maxwell Football Club.
Derrick Henry has already rushed for 1,044 yards this season, as well as scoring 14 touchdowns in eight games. He has averaged 164.5 yards per game (658 yards) and scored seven touchdowns in the games played against nationally-ranked opponents. He passed the 200-yard rushing mark against then ninth-ranked Texas A&M, with 236 yards. Henry has scored a rushing touchdown in a school-record 13 consecutive games, which is also the longest current streak in college football.
Reggie Ragland leads the Alabama defense this season in tackles with 71 total, including five tackles for a loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups and three quarterback hurries.
A'Shawn Robinson shores up the middle of the Crimson Tide defensive line. He has logged 26 total tackles, with 2.5 tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hurries, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
Congratulations to these three for their nominations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bama LB Reggie Ragland Is Butkus Award Semifinalist
Crimson Tide Linebacker Reggie Ragland
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
University of Alabama inside linebacker Reggie Ragland has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2015 Butkus Award, named for legendary NFL Hall of Famer, Dick Butkus. The award is presented annually to the top linebacker in the country.
Ragland leads the Crimson Tide with 71 tackles. In addition, he has five stops for a loss, three quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, two sacks and two forced fumbles.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bama's 3 Injured Players Improving
Alabama starting right tackle Dominick Jackson and safety Ronnie Harrison have been two of the major concerns heading into the Tide's contest with LSU this week. But as promise in his earlier press conference, Alabama head coach Nick Saban had the pair getting in a little work in yesterday afternoon's practice session. Both suffered ankle injuries and seem to be improving nicely, however Jackson's injured left ankle was taped heavily. Both sat out practices all last week.
In his press conference coach Saban said they'd have to be evaluated on their performances during practice, and that the coaching staff would "have to evaluate that more on a day-to-day basis."
Besides the ankle injuries to Jackson and Harrison, starting safety Eddie Jackson was also injured in the Tennessee contest. His, however, was a knee sprain, and was able to practice some last week. Saban said that Jackson should be fine, and of course they'd be keeping an eye on him.
Eddie Jackson appears to be able to practice and hopefully be fully recovered by Saturday. The other two, Dominick Jackson and Harrison will be watched closely to make a determination by week's end.
