Practice Number Two In Prep Of LSU In The Books
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| Wednesday practice session for Alabama football Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Practice number two of three scheduled this week for the University of Alabama football team is in the books. The Crimson Tide worked out for approximately two hours in full pads in very warm and dry weather yesterday afternoon on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields in preparation for next week's meeting with the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge.
Once again the main focus of the week is on fundamentals, techniques, correcting mental errors and all that entails. Next week's practices will be designed to prepare the Crimson Tide for game-specific plays and tendencies of the LSU football team. The final practice of the week will be today, and then the Tide will take off for fall break, reporting back to campus and ready to practice on Monday.
Offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor once again wasn't participating in the drills yesterday. According to head coach Nick Saban, Taylor still has not been medically cleared to participate in contact drills or games. Taylor suffered a concussion in the Arkansas game back on October 8th. Saban said, "These are things you kind of got to go through day-by-day, and we just have to see how he progresses. We're not really making any predictions. But I can tell you we won't put him on the field until the medical staff feels he is totally OK to be out there."
Alabama-LSU is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff on Saturday, November 5th in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It will be another battle of nationally-ranked and SEC West teams in No. 1 Alabama and No. 19 LSU. The game will be broadcast for the third consecutive week (4th of the season) on CBS, with Verne Lundquist handing the play-by-play, Gary Danielson providing color commentary and Allie LaForce walking the sidelines with on-the-spot reports concerning injuries, strategy and the like.
The Crimson Tide leads the series 50-25-5. Alabama has a five game win streak going against LSU.
Former Alabama defensive great Jeremiah Castille was spotted at practice yesterday.
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Allie LaForce Talks Alabama, LSU & Auburn
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| Allie LaForce Just Smilin' & Chillin' |
Allie LaForce of the CBS television network has been around Southeastern Conference football for awhile now, and this season has walked the sidelines as CBS Sports has broadcast several University of Alabama football games this season. Just recently she was interviewed on a radio broadcast in Houston, Texas and shared some of her insights.
To set this up, the No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0) has a bye week this week, but will be traveling to Baton Rouge, Louisiana next week to battle the No. 19 Bengal Tigers of LSU (5-2, 3-1) at Tiger Stadium. Alabama pretty much man-handled its last three nationally-ranked opponents, averaging a 25-point margin of victory. Those last three teams were the No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies, No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks.
Many had one of those last three teams defeating the Tide, with the majority believing it would be the Texas A&M Aggies. Nope. (Majority meaning if Alabama was going to lose a game this season, one of these would be the winner over the Tide.) Of course, during all the preseason hype, there were those prognosticators that picked LSU as winner of the SEC West, SEC and eventually the National Championship. Yeah, you see how that has gone so far.
Allie LaForce was asked about the matchups that are still to come for Alabama, specifically LSU and Auburn. The question, basically, was if either of the two "pose a real threat to Alabama."
LaForce responded, "Absolutely, without a doubt. The truth is Auburn, LSU, Alabama and Texas A&M all still have a chance (in the Southeastern Conference Western Division).
"I wouldn't put it past either one of them. Alabama has weaknesses, believe it or not, people don't like to hear it, but a couple of mistakes by Alabama can be big moments for these teams. Capitalize on big plays and not turn the ball over, obviously, it can happen."
She then pointed out pretty much the obvious, what all fans see and what football opponents fear, the balance of the Crimson Tide. She mentioned the balance Alabama has on offense and a crushing defense. Of course another that should be mentioned is outstanding special teams play.
"They can beat you on the ground and through the air," she explained. "(Quarterback) Jalen Hurts has been outstanding this season. You have heard Nick Saban praise him over and over again. ... He plays with a veteran presence. ... He's really calm. He's not affected by anything.
"The defense has been outstanding. They're having so much fun together. They are so athletic and talented."
Give the lady her props. In interview sessions she mixes the important aspects of games with players and coaches, is engaging and knows her craft. She has seen Alabama play outstanding games, as well as those this season they allowed the competition to hang around. Against LSU and Auburn this season, the Tide doesn't need to let them hang.
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| Allie LaForce CBS Sports
Photo Credit: CBS Sports
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Alabama Soccer Hosts Vandy Tonight
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Tonight the University of Alabama soccer team will conclude its 2016 regular season hosting the Vanderbilt Commodores at the Alabama
Soccer Complex. Match time is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT start time. The Crimson
Tide enters the regular season finale with an overall 8-7-2 record
including a 3-5-2 mark in Southeastern Conference play.
Tonight's contest will be the 23rd meeting between the two schools in a series dating back to 1986. Vandy leads the series 13-5-4, but the Tide won the last contest in 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee 1-0. Vanderbilt is 9-7-1 overall, 5-4-1 SEC.
Admission for tonight's contest is free for all fans and students, with tonight being promoted as 'Experience Thursday Nights Under The Lights/Kick or
Treat.' Students attending tonight's match will receive Crimson Tide Rewards Double
Points, and those who have attended all four Thursday Night matches this
season will be entered to win a grand prize given out at halftime of
the match. There will also be a kick or treat bounce house, costume
contest, Halloween decorations and post-game pictures with the players.
This week's featured giveaway item will be the Alabama soccer crest and
Halloween candy.
Come on out tonight and enjoy the match, fun and festivities. You could be one of the lucky winners!
Roll Tide!
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Alabama Softball
Elissa Brown Is Junior National Team Camp Invitee
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| Elissa Brown University of Alabama softball team Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The 20 initial invitees, along with any additional athletes that may be extended an invitation prior to the camp, will be competing for just 17 spots on the 2017 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team roster. The athletes will be competing in various drills and simulated games and will be evaluated by the USA Softball Women's National Team Selection Committee. The team will compete this summer in a number of exhibition games as well as defending its gold medal from last season at the 2017 World Baseball Softball Confederation Junior Women's World Championship on July 24-30 in Clearwater, Florida.
Brown, a native of Eclectic, Alabama, is entering her freshman season this year at the Capstone. She was a three-time All-State and four-time All-Metro honoree at Elmore County High School, ending her career as the AHSAA record holder in 12 statistical categories. She was also the school's all-time leading scorer in basketball and won regional titles with the track and field team in the 100 and 200 meters. Brown played club softball with the Birmingham Thunderbolts, helping them to third-place finishes at PGF nationals in both 2015 and 2016.
Congratulations, Elissa!
Roll Tide!
