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First 2015 College Football Playoff Rankings Released
Crimson Tide Number 4
Crimson Tide Number 4
This is it. The very first one. Even though it doesn't mean a lot when you consider several weeks remain in the 2015 college football season, the first poll by the College Football Playoff Committee gives everyone an idea where their heads are. Let's face it, a lot will change between now and the time the playoffs actually begin. After all, Alabama and LSU play each other this week, so when the week 2 rankings come out, one of them will be missing.
Six schools from the Southeastern Conference are in this first week's poll. LSU is the highest ranked from the SEC, followed by Alabama (4), Florida (10), Ole Miss (18), Texas A&M (19) and Mississippi (20).
Here is the complete list of the Top-25 as selected by the College Football Playoff Committee:
1. Clemson
2. LSU
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Notre Dame
6. Baylor
7. Michigan State
8. TCU
9. Iowa
10. Florida
11. Stanford
12. Utah
13. Memphis
14. Oklahoma State
15. Oklahoma
16. Florida State
17. Michigan
18. Ole Miss
19. Texas A&M
20. Mississippi State
21. Northwestern
22. Temple
23. UCLA
24. Toledo
25. Houston
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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.
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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.
