A Very Special Thank You To My Readers
This won't be a long, drawn-out affair, but many of you have been with me during my approximately 3 years here with "High Tide." You have been good to repost or retweet or snap or Google+ or whatever means you have shared stories or photographs. I thank you for that.
More and more lately, or perhaps I should say less and less, I have been online due to the failing health of parents, especially my mom. Dad, thank the Lord, appears to be a bit healthier though he has some issues. Mom, however, as you know, is in the last stage of Alzheimer's.
So many of you were happy for me when she had that lucid moment earlier in the week and she was talking and aware of more than she had been in awhile. But that didn't last long, and as I had dreaded, it was followed with a bigger drop in lucidity and other cognitive abilities than before that wonderful episode.
As the dread disease continues to progress, I will be online even less. I will, however continue to update the blog daily and sometimes even more often. I will not be on the Twitter account or Instagram or whatever as much. Though I have enjoyed interacting with all of you, and will from time to time, I must ease back bit by bit.
We are looking into hospice care here at home now for my mother. One of the specialists had mentioned it, and dad today made the phone call to begin the exploratory process. Not to say it's a "done deal," but it will certainly have everything in order for the day that final decision is made.
I have also begun work on a blog of my mother's life for the day she is gone. Right now I am able to work on that, and not sure of the complete effects it will have on me when it, inevitably, arrives. I want it to be something special, done in her honor, so that others may see the wonderful woman that she has always been.
So, thank you for understanding. Thank you for reading the blog, something I have enjoyed doing as I remain at home to care for my parents. Thank you for the encouraging words many have tweeted, messaged, and/or even texted to me. Believe me, some have come at times that gave me the extra determination to do even better, to shake myself from doldrums and anxiety that accompany situations like this.
Again, I appreciate each and every one of you that reads this blog. I have no doubt my mother would have been one that read it multiple times a day. She just loves her son, and other children, that much. She was always WITH us, not BEHIND us, or merely FOR us...she was always on her knees PRAYING for me and putting whatever she believed she needed to do into action.
Now many of you have done some of those things for me.
Thank you. Mere words cannot express my gratitude to all of you.
And, from my family to each and every one of you...Roll Tide!
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What Saban Said...In His Weekly Press Conference
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban once again met with press, in fact, the final press conference of the regular season and before the Crimson Tide hosts the Tigers of Auburn in Bryant-Denny Stadium this week in the annual Iron Bowl clash. Here is what the coach had to say:
Saban said that focus is very important in rivalry-week games. He said that there are a lot of distractions going into these kinds of games so it's not easy.
He spoke of how penalties against the team have gone down significantly, saying that there have been fewer of the "undisciplined" flags recently. He said that competitive penalties, such as pass interference and holding for instance, happen from time to time.
Concerning running back Bo Scarbrough, Saban said that he "looks a lot better this week" after having missed the last two games. (Earlier Saban had said that Scarbrough was able to play in those two games if needed, but held him out all-together since it was not a necessity, giving him time to fully heal up.)
In other injury-related news, Saban said that both Korren Kirven and Cam Robinson will play this Saturday.
Saban said that he personally does not get nervous before games. He did say, however, that he is more "uptight" until players manage to get the game plan down.
Saban said that Auburn's running back Kerryon Johnson was a threat to do a lot of things in a game, including running Wildcat QB.
Concerning the colleges issuing injury reports like the NFL does, Saban said that he was not in favor of that. He commented that those were all about the media.
Alabama and Auburn will kick it off at approximately 2:30 p.m. CT tomorrow afternoon for the 2016 Iron Bowl, held this year in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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SEC Rivalry Week Matchups
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs Auburn Tigers (2:30 p.m. CT)
Arkansas vs Missouri (Sat. 2:30 p.m. CT)
Florida vs Florida State (Sat. 7 p.m. CT)
South Carolina vs Clemson (Sat. 6:30 p.m. CT)
Mississippi State vs Ole Miss (Sat. 2:30 p.m. CT)
Kentucky vs Louisville (Sat. 11 a.m. CT)
Tennessee vs Vanderbilt (Sat. 6:30 p.m. CT)
Georgia vs Georgia Tech (Sat. 11 a.m. CT)
LSU vs Texas A&M (last night-LSU wins 54-39)
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Kait Scott Joins Alabama Gymnastics For 2017-18 Season
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Kait Scott Joins Alabama Gymnastics For 2017-18 Season
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| Latest UA Gymnastics Addition Kait Scott Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
University of Alabama head gymnastics coach Dana Duckworth has made the announcement that Kait Scott, a native of Rockwall, Texas, will join the Crimson Tide's 2017-18 freshman class.
"We're very excited to have Kait on board," Duckworth said. "She
makes an already great class even better. We can't wait have her here on
campus and a part of the Crimson Tide gymnastics family."
Scott will join Bailie Key, Kylie Dickson, Alonza Klopfer and Lexi Graber, all of whom just recently signed their national letters of intent, as part of next year's freshman class.
Scott serves as captain of Metroplex Gymnastics' Level 10 Team, and is coached by Marnie Futch and former Crimson Tide standout Gina Logan
at Metroplex Gymnastics. Schoot was a top-10 all-around finalist at the state
championships, and also earned top-five finishes on the uneven bars
and balance beam.
Scott commented, "From the second I walked on campus The University of Alabama felt
like home to me. I fell in love with the campus as well as
the gymnastics program. I love what the coaches have done with it and
the principles that they instill in the gymnasts to not only make them
top athletes, but great people as well."
She also serves as captain of her high school
squad. A senior at Rockwall High School, she is the daughter of Janice
and Paul Scott.
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College Football Point Spread This Week
Here is a look at how odds-makers are looking at the key matchups for this week in college football:
Top 25:
Auburn at Alabama (-18) Michigan at Ohio State
(-7) South Carolina at Clemson (-23.5) Minnesota at Wisconsin (-14)
Washington (-5.5) at Washington State Michigan State at Penn State
(-11.5) Utah at Colorado (-10) Kentucky at Louisville (-23.5) Notre Dame
at USC (-17) Florida at Florida State (-7) Toledo at Western Michigan
(-9.5) Nebraska at Iowa (OFF) Houston at Memphis (OFF) West Virginia
(-7.5) at Iowa State Boise State (-9.5) at Air Force LSU (-5.5) at Texas
A&M Tennessee (-8) at Vanderbilt
Remainder:
Akron at Ohio (OFF) Ball State at Miami Ohio (-8) Central Michigan (-1)
at Eastern Michigan LSU (-5.5) at Texas A&M Buffalo at Bowling
Green (-13.5) Toledo at Western Michigan (-9.5) Northern Illinois at
Kent State (OFF) Nebraska at Iowa (OFF) Arkansas (-9) at Missouri
Cincinnati at Tulsa (-19.5) TCU at Texas (-2.5) Boise State (-9.5) at
Air Force Louisiana Tech at Southern Miss (OFF) NC State at North
Carolina (-12) Houston at Memphis (OFF) Washington (-5.5) at Washington
State Texas Tech vs Baylor (-5.5) Arizona State (-4) at Arizona South
Carolina at Clemson (-23.5) East Carolina at Temple (-17.5) Tulane at
Connecticut (-1.5) Rutgers at Maryland (-13) Syracuse at Pittsburgh
(-23.5) West Virginia (-7.5) at Iowa State Illinois at Northwestern
(-14) Purdue at Indiana (-15) Michigan State at Penn State (-11.5)
Boston College at Wake Forest (-4) Kansas at Kansas State (-26)
Minnesota at Wisconsin (-14) Duke at Miami (-15) Georgia Tech at Georgia
(-4.5) Virginia at Virginia Tech (-17.5) Auburn at Alabama (-18)
Kentucky at Louisville (-23.5) UCLA (-5) at California Nevada at UNLV
(-6) San Jose State (-3) at Fresno State Florida International at Old
Dominion (-13) Appalachian State (-17) at New Mexico State Troy (-25) at
Texas State Oregon (-3.5) at Oregon State Florida Atlantic at Middle
Tennessee State (-13) Utah at Colorado (-10) Western Kentucky (-22) at
Marshall Navy (-7) at SMU North Texas (-2) at UTEP Central Florida at
South Florida (-10) Charlotte at Texas San Antonio (-8.5) Florida at
Florida State (-7) Rice at Stanford (-35) Arkansas State (-8) at UL
Lafayette Tennessee (-8) at Vanderbilt Mississippi State at Mississippi
(-7.5) Michigan at Ohio State (-7) Notre Dame at USC (-17) South Alabama
at Idaho (-5) Wyoming (-3) at New Mexico Colorado State at San Diego
State (-11.5) Utah State at BYU (-19.5) Massachusetts at Hawaii (-9)
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What Saban Said...On His Radio Show This Week
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| Alabama's Nick Saban Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
It's Auburn week for the University of Alabama, it's football team and coaches as well as fans of the Crimson Tide. One doesn't have to worry. Alabama head coach Nick Saban has been at the Capstone long enough now to know full well what this week and this Saturday's Iron Bowl battle means to the Bama faithful. Saban addressed this, and other issues, on his weekly radio show.
Saban said that he talks to the players...about various things, and does ask for their input. He was speaks to the team's leadership council regularly. They have a say in things, and everyone's input is important.
Of course with this being the big in-state rivalry game, nearly everyone is voicing their opinions. Nationally, locally, and even fans from outside the national borders are putting their two-cents worth in as to who will win this big matchup. Saban said, "...you can never predict what the outcome will be."
Saban spoke of the Tide's disappointing performance last Saturday against the Chattanooga Mocs. He did say, however, that the players are responding well this week to the situation.
Concerning injuries, Saban said that both right guard Korren Kirven as well as left tackle Cam Robinson are both expected to play Saturday against Auburn. Both players suffered shoulder injuries late in Alabama's win over Chattanooga. He did, however, add that the coaches have given reps to reserve players in case either lineman won't be available.
Earlier in the show host Eli Gold has mentioned that several former University of Alabama swim team members from Cyprus were present. One of them later asked Saban a question concerning playing not just away from Bryant-Denny Stadium or the state of Alabama or even outside the country. The Cypriot wanted to know if he could see the day Alabama comes to play in Europe. Saban responded that it would be beneficial to continue to increase the Crimson Tide's exposure and that of American football "across the pond."
One of the callers told the head coach that he seemed to be much calmer on the sidelines since giving offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin the famous "ass-chewing" against Western Kentucky several weeks ago. Saban laughed about the comment, and then said that if he can make it through the Iron Bowl without exploding then he would have "truly passed the test."
Nick Saban described himself as a "listener." He commented that he is always looking for a better way.
Concerning player management, Saban said that Alabama has a sports psychologist and psychiatrist the helps the Tide in that particular area.
Saban had a comment concerning expectations when it comes to the team. He said that he doesn't think in the terms of expectations because they are "results-oriented" phenomena.
Going back to last week's game with the Chattanooga Mocs, Saban admitted that the coaches and team weren't prepared for a couple of the plays and concepts that the Mocs used in the early part of the game. He then again complimented the play of Tony Brown.
One of the youngsters had a question for Saban concerning preparing for a team where uncertainty at the quarterback position was a factor. Saban responded by saying that's when he looks at the tendencies of how a team runs formations and motions with a particular quarterback. He also stated how Alabama this week needs to "stop the run" of the Auburn Tigers.
Saban was asked what he couldn't live without, to which he responded it would be the relationships and friendships that he has built.
Concerning moving coach Burton Burns down to the field from out of the press box, Saban said that decision was made because of Burns' added role as the special teams coach this year.
Saban closed with saying that people can't take "winning for granted." He said that players have to "respect winning." He said that he has been pushing the team and emphasized the importance of this particular game.
