Bama Football Gets In Gear For LSU
 |
| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The University of Alabama football team has returned to school after their fall break, and has also returned to full practice and game preparation yesterday afternoon. It's LSU Hate Week, and the Crimson Tide is preparing for battle against the nationally-ranked Tigers. Alabama worked out in the 85-degree heat for approximately 90 minutes yesterday afternoon in shells at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.
Bye week last week was a busy week for the Crimson Tide, even if a shortened one for both practice and classroom business. Bama took a few days off to enjoy the fall break after having worked on fundamentals and mental preparation. Now, another big game looms and the Tide must prepare in earnest.
Minkah Fitzpatrick was again seen working with safeties in yesterday's practice session. He had commented earlier in the day that (head coach Nick) Saban had told him earlier in the day he would be moving to the safety slot vacated by Eddie Jackson due to injury. (Jackson suffered a season-ending broken leg on October 22nd.)
Tony Brown was working with the cornerbacks yesterday.
It was good to see right guard Alphonse Taylor going through drills, although he is still being withheld from contact. He is still recovering from a concussion received several weeks ago and hasn't fully recovered, thus his status for the upcoming battle with LSU remains uncertain. Earlier in the day Saban had commented, concerning the status of Taylor, "We're kind of allowing him to do what he can, and we'll sort of take it day to day. I can't really answer that fully. We've been off for three days and we're going to see how he does today."
Another previously injured player that appeared to be doing well was running back Damien Harris. Last week Saban had commented that Harris "...probably needs to heal up a little bit." The youngster was looking as though he was healing nicely.
Alabama is now working more toward the actual game, though continuing to stress fundamentals, limiting mental errors as well as ball control. This will be one of the more physical defenses the Tide has faced this season, and the coach has said he is treating them as though undefeated since the Tigers are 3-0 under interim head coach Ed Orgeron who took over the reigns on September 25th after the firing of former head coach Les Miles.
The Crimson Tide travels to Baton Rouge for another battle of nationally-ranked teams when the top-ranked Tide meets the No. 15/14 LSU Tigers in Tiger Stadium this Saturday, November 5th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live by CBS. Verne Lundquist will be handling the play-by-play duties, Gary Danielson will provide color commentary/analysis and Allie LaForce will be walking the sidelines with on-the-spot updates concerning injuries, play calls and observations.
LSU is 5-2 overall, 3-1 in the Southeastern Conference as they host Alabama this weekend. The Tide leads the series 50-25-2, and is currently enjoying a five-game winning streak over the Bengal Tigers. Ironically the streak began in Bama's second meeting of the season after having lost the first matchup of 2012. Alabama defeated LSU in the 2012 Sugar Bowl by a score of 21-0. Last season in Tuscaloosa the Crimson Tide captured a 30-16 victory.
 |
| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
-----------------------------------------------
What Saban Said On Monday 10/31
 |
| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban met with the media yesterday afternoon. In his opening statement, Saban had this to say:
"They have some really outstanding players on both sides of the ball. Leonard Fournette is probably one of the most dynamic running backs that has played college football for a while. He is playing extremely well right now, and when guys come in form, there is not a lot of drop off. The quarterback has played really well and created a lot of balance for them in the past couple weeks. They have a couple really talented receivers that are very good players, and they have a big, strong, physical offensive line that does a great job of executing their running game for them.
"When you get to the defense side, it doesn't really get any better. They are in the top 10 of a lot of categories and one of the most difficult teams to score on. They are very good up front. Arden Key is a very good rusher. Kendell Beckwith is a very outstanding linebacker who leads in tackles but also runs a shell out there and does a really good job.
"This is probably the most athletic, talented secondary that we have had to play against all year long. They have really good specialists on special team – good returners; good kickers; good punter – and they have good team speed, so they are always really good on special teams, so this is a really outstanding team and it's a great challenge for our team. We are anxious to go back to work today and get back at it with our players."
Concerning the injury situation, Saban said that running back Damien Harris' improvement as a player can be attributed to the growth in the young man's confidence in what he is doing. He is showing improvement from an injury and has been handling all workouts very well.
Alphonse Taylor practiced some yesterday, as Saban said he would. But he is still listed as "day-to-day" according to the head man. Taylor has missed the last two games due to complications from a concussion.
Of course everyone knows that Eddie Jackson is out for the remainder of the season due to a broken leg. Bama is still searching for a replacement, though Saban said that cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick has been working at the position since last week.
Concerning Jonathan Allen and the amount of time he has had to put in this season during the games, Saban said that Allen has had to play more this year because of the depth issue on the defensive line. He said the line is not as deep as it was last year which required Allen to stay in the game more.
Saban said "no magical potion" would win a game like this one on Saturday. He said that this game would come down to execution.
When asked about the number of touches Calvin Ridley has received this season, fewer opportunities to catch the ball and make the big plays, as compared to last season, Saban said that "he has handled it very well," which says a lot. Saban also commented that the young man hasn't shown any "signs of being disappointed or frustrated."
Saban also spoke of how Orgeron has opened up the LSU offence since taking the reigns of the team after the firing of former head coach Les Miles. Saban said that their play-action game has definitely been effective, and that they are more open and multiple with their players.
Alabama and LSU are set to kick it off this Saturday evening at 7 p.m. CT in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
--------------------------------------------------
First College Football Playoff Ranking Is Released
--------------------------------------------------
Latest USTFCCCA Cross Country Rankings Are Out
Crimson Tide Women Fourth, Men Fifth
--------------------------------------------------
First College Football Playoff Ranking Is Released
The wait is over. The first edition of the College Football Playoff Rankings was released this afternoon, and with one surprise to the list. Of course, what wasn't a surprise was the Alabama Crimson Tide sitting on top of the rankings.
Alabama is the defending National Champion, having won last year's national title, remains undefeated on the 2016 season with a perfect 8–0 record. The Crimson Tide, however, faces a tough test against LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday night.
The Clemson Tigers also undefeated at 8–0, will likely go on to win the ACC title with little trouble. Of course Dabo Swinney's team reached the national championship last year but fell to the Crimson Tide.
The Michigan Wolverines are looking at making their first College Football Playoff, if they can get past their matchup with the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 26th.
The Texas A&M Aggies (7–1) are ranked fourth despite their one loss. That loss, of course, came at the hands of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Most expected that last position would go to the Washington Huskies, but the strength of the SEC and the Aggies' schedule gave them the last slot in this first ranking.
--------------------------------------------------
Latest USTFCCCA Cross Country Rankings Are Out
Crimson Tide Women Fourth, Men Fifth
 |
| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The latest U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South Regional ranking are out, and the University of Alabama women's cross country team remains in
fourth place this week while the men remain at No. 5. The rankings were just released.
Both teams were in action at the Southeastern Conference
Championships a few days ago on October 28th, with the men posting a fifth place finish and the women coming in sixth. The men's finish was their best since a tie for fifth back in 2011, while the women recorded their fourth consecutive top-six finish
at the SEC Championship. Alabama will now be off until their trip to Tallahassee, Florida for the NCAA South Region meet on November 11th.
--------------------------------------------------
JUCO Player Gary Johnson Decommits From Bama Football
 |
| Photo Credit: 247Sports |
From his Twitter account, Johnson tweeted, "After talking it over with my family and advisors I have decided to reopen my recruitment due to academic requirements in the SEC that are different than other conferences." Johnson had committed to Alabama back in March.
Those stricter rules require that a player must spend at least three consecutive semesters at the school from which the player receives his associate degree, and this appears to be the hangup in getting Johnson to the Tide and SEC.
--------------------------------------------------
Anderson, Foster & Scott Named To Awards Lists
---------------------------------------------------
Alabama Soccer Falls To Texas A&M In SEC Tournament
---------------------------------------------------
Three Alabama Football Players Honored
---------------------------------------------------
Alabama Men's Golf Drops Two At Cypress Point Classic
--------------------------------------------------
Anderson, Foster & Scott Named To Awards Lists
 |
| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Yep, those honors just keep rolling in for Alabama football players. This time it's senior linebackers Ryan Anderson and Reuben Foster as well as junior punter JK Scott, being added to two prestigious lists. The three were nominated for a pair of awards at their respective positions.
Anderson and Foster were chosen as semifinalists for the Butkus Award, honoring the nation's top collegiate linebacker, while Scott was
selected as a candidate for the Ray Guy Award, which is presented
annually to college football's top punter.
12 linebackers make up the list of semifinalists of which Anderson and Foster are two. This, incidentally, will be the 32nd time the Butkus Award has been given and is presented by the Dick Butkus Foundation.
Scott is one of 66 candidates named for the Ray Guy Award. This is Scott's third consecutive year to be to be selected as a contender for the award, thanks to his SEC-leading
47.5 yards per punt average on his 28 punts, which ranks second in the
SEC.
Finalists for the Butkus Award will be announced November 21st, and winners
will be announced on or before December 6th. The Ray Guy list will be
narrowed to 10 semifinalists on November 11th, with three finalists being named on November 22nd. The Ray Guy Award winner will be announced live
on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 8th.
 |
| Graphics/Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
---------------------------------------------------
Alabama Soccer Falls To Texas A&M In SEC Tournament
 |
| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The University of Alabama soccer team fell to the Texas A&M Aggies 1-0 in
double overtime in the first round of the Southeastern Conference
Tournament last night held at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange
Beach, Alabama. The Crimson Tide concludes the 2016 season with an overall
9-8-2 record.
Tori Gann had two shots, one shot on goal for the Bama belles. Emily Martin and Abbie Boswell both contributed one shot on the day, and Emma Welch had one shot, one shot on goal for the Tide.
| Game Stats | UA | TAMU |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 1 |
| Shots | 7 | 26 |
| Shots on Goal | 3 | 14 |
| Saves | 13 | 3 |
| Corners | 5 | 10 |
| Offsides | 2 | 0 |
| Fouls | 6 | 4 |
---------------------------------------------------
Three Alabama Football Players Honored
 |
| Graphics/Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Three University of Alabama Crimson Tide football players have been honored by being named to prestigious watch lists this season. The Maxwell football Club announced yesterday afternoon that Jonathan Allen and Jalen Hurts have been named as semifinalists for the Maxwell Award. In addition, Allen as well as fellow senior player Reuben Foster have been selected as semifinalists for the Bednarik Award.
A total of 19 semifinalists were named for the Maxwell Trophy, of which Allen and Hurts are a part. The trophy is presented each season to college
football's player of the year.
Alabama has had two players in its history win the Maxwell
Trophy. Derrick Henry most recently won the trophy last season, with the other being former Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron
in 2013.
Allen and Foster were selected as one of 18 semifinalists for the
Bednarik Award. This award is given annually to college football's defensive player of
the year.
Finalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik will be announced on November 21st,
with the winners being announced on December 8th on ESPN at The Home Depot
College Football Awards.
 |
| Graphics/Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
---------------------------------------------------
Alabama Men's Golf Drops Two At Cypress Point Classic
 |
| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Things didn't go exactly as planned yesterday for the Alabama men's golf team. Alabama dropped a pair of games yesterday at the Cypress Point Classic being held at the Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California. The Crimson Tide fell first to the 11th-ranked USC Trojans during the morning four-ball event, then fell to the No. 8 Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the afternoon competition.
The first two rounds were yesterday, with the third and final round being held today. Alabama wil take on the 15th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Each of the six Bama golfers will also compete in a singles match.
--------------------------------------------------
SEC Football News
Tennessee's Jalen Hurd To Transfer
 |
| Vols' Jalen Hurd To Transfer Photo taken from Bing.com |
Once the Crimson Tide football team chews you up and spits you out, no telling what the fallout may be. Okay, this one can't all be credited to the Tide, but you can bet it helped things along, at least a little.
Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd told teammates Sunday night that he plans to transfer to another school, Volunteers head coach Butch Jones confirmed Monday. Jones said he met with Hurd and commented, "I support him on that and I'm very supportive of that."
Hurd reportedly shared the news of his transfer with the team on Sunday night, talked of changing positions...possibly either wide receiver or tight end with whatever team to which he decides to transfer.
Hurd was a preseason All-SEC selection at running back and has rushed for 451 yards and three touchdowns in seven games this season. He has, however, been battling injury problems. His playing time has decreased as the playing time of fellow junior Alvin Kamara (a former Alabama Crimson Tider) and sophomore John Kelly has increased.
Hurd rushed for 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore in the 2015 season, and at least 22 carries in three of the Volunteers' first four games this season. It is reported that he suffered a concussion against Georgia on October 1st, and hasn't had the playing time since.
Tennessee has lost their last three consecutive games, to Texas A&M, Alabama and South Carolina. Prior to that the Vols were sitting at 5-0 and ranked as high as ninth in the nation. Tennessee is no longer ranked in any of the major college football polls.
