Tide Talk: Nick Saban, Greg McElroy, Mark Barron, and Javier Arenas

Video Courtesy of TideSports.com

NOTE: When the team arrives in California I will begin my “game week” reports just like I have done during the course of the season. I will provide a game overview, practice reports from Pasadena, a Texas “scouting report,” and finally personal thoughts and score prediction.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and ROLL TIDE!

Tide Talk: Nick Saban, Colin Peek, and Terrence Cody (From 12/28)

Video Courtesy of TideSports.com

Crimson Notes 12/28/09

(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The University of Alabama football team returned to the practice field on Sunday evening. The team will continue to work in Tuscaloosa until they depart for California on January 1.

Upon arrival in Southern California, Alabama will hold “game week” preparations at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. The school is a good 50 miles from Pasadena, site of the national title game.

The Texas Longhorns will “set up shop” at UC Irvine, once the team arrives in California. Strangely enough…UC Irvine does not have a football program.

Both Alabama and Texas will have walk-throughs at the famed Rose Bowl on the afternoon of January 6. All practice and “game related” activities are expected to be closed to all media outlets, as well as the general public.

In respect to hotel arrangements, the University of Texas will be staying at the Fairmont Newport Beach, while the University of Alabama will be housed at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and THANK YOU!

Since the month of September this site has grown by leaps and bounds, and that would certainly not be possible without the support of loyal visitors and fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

I have several friends who frequent this site, but most of my support comes from people I’ve never met, and probably never will meet. The fact that so many outsiders have complimented my work via Twitter and Facebook messages has been very much appreciated.

In two weeks the Alabama Crimson Tide will play for the national championship, and covering the team via this site has been a personal thrill for me! I hope I’ve supplied everyone with the best information achievable, while also providing the best insight and detail possible.



Many people have told me they come to this very site when they’re looking for the latest news on Alabama football. To all the people who look to this “simple” blog for ‘Bama football information…I say thank you!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and I look forward to providing more exciting updates on University of Alabama football as we head for Pasadena!

This is a wonderful time to be a fan of Alabama football, and I hope the best “night”…is just around the corner!

Merry Christmas and ROLL TIDE!

~Bryan

Tide Talk: Nick Saban

Video Courtesy of TideSports.com

Tide Talk: Nick Saban

Video Courtesy of TideSports.com

Let's Go Bowling: 2009-10 Schedule

All kickoff times are listed for the eastern standard time zone.


New Mexico Bowl
Fresno State vs. Wyoming
Albuquerque, N.M.
University Stadium
Dec. 19
4:30 p.m. ESPN


St. Petersburg Bowl Presented by Beef 'O' Brady's
Central Florida vs. Rutgers
St. Petersburg, Fla.
Tropicana Field
Dec. 19
8 p.m. ESPN


R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee
New Orleans
Louisiana Superdome
Dec. 20
8:30 p.m. ESPN


MAACO Las Vegas Bowl
Oregon State vs. BYU
Las Vegas
Sam Boyd Stadium
Dec. 22
8 p.m. ESPN


S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Utah vs. California
San Diego
Qualcomm Stadium
Dec. 23
8 p.m. ESPN


Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Nevada vs. SMU
Honolulu
Aloha Stadium
Dec. 24
8 p.m. ESPN


Little Caesars Bowl
Marshall vs. Ohio
Detroit
Ford Field
Dec. 26
1 p.m. ESPN


Meineke Car Care Bowl
Pitt vs. North Carolina
Charlotte, N.C.
Bank of America Stadium
Dec. 26
4:30 p.m. ESPN


Emerald Bowl
Boston College vs. USC
San Francisco
AT&T Park
Dec. 26
8 p.m. ESPN


Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Kentucky vs. Clemson
Nashville, Tenn.
LP Field
Dec. 27
8:30 p.m. ESPN


AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
Texas A&M vs. Georgia
Shreveport, La.
Independence Stadium
Dec. 28
5 p.m. ESPN2


EagleBank Bowl
UCLA vs. Temple
Washington, D.C.
RFK Stadium
Dec. 29
4:30 p.m. ESPN


Champs Sports Bowl
Miami vs. Wisconsin
Orlando, Fla.
Florida Citrus Bowl
Dec. 29
8 p.m. ESPN


Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
Bowling Green vs. Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Bronco Stadium
Dec. 30
4:30 p.m. ESPN


Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Arizona vs. Nebraska
San Diego
Qualcomm Stadium
Dec. 30
8 p.m. ESPN


Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Houston vs. Air Force
Fort Worth, Texas
Amon G. Carter Stadium
Dec. 31
Noon ESPN


Brut Sun Bowl
Oklahoma vs. Stanford
El Paso, Texas
Sun Bowl
Dec. 31
2 p.m. CBS


Texas Bowl
Navy vs. Missouri
Houston
Reliant Stadium
Dec. 31
3:30 p.m. ESPN


Insight Bowl
Minnesota vs. Iowa State
Tempe, Ariz.
Sun Devil Stadium
Dec. 31
6 p.m. NFL Network


Chick-fil-A Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee
Atlanta
Georgia Dome
Dec. 31
7:30 p.m. ESPN


Outback Bowl
Northwestern vs. Auburn
Tampa, Fla.
Raymond James Stadium
Jan. 1
11 a.m. ESPN


Capital One Bowl
Penn State vs. LSU
Orlando, Fla.
Florida Citrus Bowl
Jan. 1
1 p.m. ABC


Konica Minolta Gator Bowl
West Virginia vs. Florida State
Jacksonville, Fla.
Municipal Stadium
Jan. 1
1 p.m. CBS


Rose Bowl Game Presented by Citi
Ohio State vs. Oregon
Pasadena, Calif.
Rose Bowl
Jan. 1
4:30 p.m. ABC


Allstate Sugar Bowl
Florida vs. Cincinnati
New Orleans
Louisiana Superdome
Jan. 1
8:30 p.m. FOX


International Bowl
South Florida vs. Northern Illinois
Toronto, Canada
Rogers Centre
Jan. 2
Noon ESPN2


PapaJohns.com Bowl
South Carolina vs. UConn
Birmingham, Al.
Legion Field
Jan. 2
2 p.m. ESPN


AT&T Cotton Bowl
Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
Arlington, Texas
Cowboys Stadium
Jan. 2
2 p.m. FOX


AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Arkansas vs. East Carolina
Memphis, Tenn.
Liberty Bowl
Jan. 2
5:30 p.m. ESPN


Valero Alamo Bowl
Michigan State vs. Texas Tech
San Antonio
Alamodome
Jan. 2
9 p.m. ESPN


Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Boise State vs. TCU
Glendale, Ariz.
U. of Phoenix Stadium
Jan. 4
8 p.m. FOX


FedEx Orange Bowl
Iowa vs. Georgia Tech
Miami
Land Shark Stadium
Jan. 5
8 p.m. FOX


GMAC Bowl
Central Michigan vs. Troy
Mobile, Al.
Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Jan. 6
7 p.m. ESPN


Citi BCS National Championship Game
Texas vs. Alabama
Pasadena, Calif.
Rose Bowl
Jan. 7
8 p.m. ABC

Party of Six: 'Bama All-Americans

(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

The Alabama Crimson Tide have a total of six players on the AP All-American Team. The number is the most of any school represented this season, and also the most in University of Alabama football history.

AP All-American First Team

Quarterback:
Colt McCoy (Texas)

Running Back:
Toby Gerhart (Stanford)
Mark Ingram (Alabama)

Wide Receiver:
Golden Tate (Notre Dame)
Jordan Shipley (Texas)

Tackle:
Russell Okung (Oklahoma State)
Trent Williams (Oklahoma)

Guard:
Mike Johnson (Alabama)
Mike Iupati (Idaho)

Center:
J.D. Walton (Baylor)

Tight End:
Aaron Hernandez (Florida)

All-Purpose Player:
C.J. Spiller (Clemson)

Kicker:
Leigh Tiffin (Alabama)

Defensive End:
Jerry Hughes (TCU)
Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech)

Defensive Tackle:
Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)
Terrence Cody (Alabama)

Linebacker:
Rolando McClain (Alabama)
Greg Jones (Michigan State)
Eric Norwood (South Carolina)

Cornerback:
Joe Haden (Florida)
Javier Arenas (Alabama)

Safety:
Earl Thomas (Texas)
Eric Berry (Tennessee)

Punter:
Drew Butler (Georgia)

The Highest Mark: Tide Star Wins Heisman

(AP Photo/Kelly Kline, Pool)




(AP Photo/Kelly Kline, Pool)

1) Mark Ingram 227 1,304

2) Toby Gerhart 222 1,276

3) Colt McCoy 203 1,145

4) Ndamukong Suh 161 815

5) Tim Tebow 43 390

'Bama History: Emotional Mark Ingram Captures Heisman

For the first time in school history…Alabama has a Heisman winner. Crimson Tide sophomore running back Mark Ingram claimed the coveted Heisman Trophy, Saturday night in New York City. In the closest vote in history, Ingram edged Stanford running back Toby Gerhart in the 75th presentation of the Heisman Trophy.

Ingram had a record breaking 2009 campaign, but his struggles against the Auburn Tigers almost sealed his fate in respect to the Heisman. However, in front of a national stage, Ingram delivered a spectacular performance against the top ranked Florida Gators. His performance not only helped Alabama capture the SEC title, and birth in the BCS title game, but also propelled Mark Ingram back into the Heisman race.

Ingram, who had been a very “cool customer” when asked about the Heisman and his prospects of winning, was emotionally shaken and rightfully brought to tears when his name was announced as the recipient of the highest award in college football. Overcome by the moment, and basking in the glory…Mark Ingram stood in awe and honor of the accomplishment.

Congratulations to Alabama Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram, from the entire BAMA NATION!

NOTE: Coming soon I’ll have more news regarding the Heisman, a complete list of all the awards received by the Alabama coaches and players, and finally I’ll provide a complete list for all the bowl games this year.

Crimson Consumer: Zappos.com/The North Face

Alabama coaches and players know the importance of teamwork and partnership, and so does Zappos.com. If The North Face is on your holiday shopping list, then head over to Zappos.com for the best apparel and products.

The North Face is a household name with a time-honored tradition, and if high quality without the shopping hassle is your holiday “game plan,” then Zappos.com is the perfect “play” for you.

Alabama fans know a winner, and they also know high quality. Team up with Zappos.com and The North Face for a game winner this holiday season.

Crimson Coronation: 'Bama 32 Florida 13

Scoring Summary

AL Leigh Tiffin 48 yd FG
AL Mark Ingram 7 yd run (missed kick)
FL Caleb Sturgis 48 yd FG
AL Leigh Tiffin 34 yd FG
FL David Nelson 23 yd pass from Tim Tebow (Caleb Sturgis kick)
AL Mark Ingram 3 yd run (Leigh Tiffin kick)
FL Caleb Sturgis 32 yd FG
AL Colin Peek 17 yd pass from Greg McElroy (Leigh Tiffin kick)
AL Mark Ingram 1 yd run (failed 2pt pass)

Team Stats

                                       FL             AL
First Downs:                      13              26
Third Down Efficiency         4-11          11-15
Fourth Down Efficiency       0-1            0-0
Plays-Net Yards                49-335      71-490
Rushes-Yds                      14-88        53-251
Passing Yds                      247           239
Kick Return Yds                 161            79
Punt Return Yds                12              8
Passes                            20-35-1     12-18-0
Punts                              4-195         2-83
Fumbles-Lost                    0-0            1-0
Penalties-Yds                   5-51           1-5
Time of Poss.                   20:23          39:37

Individual Stats

RUSHING
FL: Tim Tebow 10-63, Brandon James 1-9, Jeffery Demps 1-9, Chris Rainey 2-7
AL: Mark Ingram 28-113, Trent Richardson 11-80, Roy Upchurch 7-57, Greg McElroy 4-10, Team 3--9


PASSING
FL: Tim Tebow 20-35-247-1
AL: Greg McElroy 12-18-239-0


RECEIVING
FL: Aaron Hernandez 8-85, David Nelson 4-53, Riley Cooper 3-77, Deonte Thompson 2-22, Brandon James 1-9, Omarius Hines 1-4, Emmanuel Moody 1--3
AL: Marquis Maze 5-96, Colin Peek 3-39, Mark Ingram 2-76, Julio Jones 2-28

Florida/Alabama: The Great Second Chance

You don’t get many second chances in life, in football, or anything else for that matter. Second chances are rare…and second chances are not promised. However, if you’re a player, coach, or fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide…your second chance is only hours away.

In 2008, Alabama led the Florida Gators, 20-17, as the game headed into the final period of play. Tide fans were on edge hoping the team could survive the game's final chapter. However, in storybook fashion, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was about to write his own final chapter. Almost singled-handedly, Tebow led the Gators back from the brink, and helped Florida to capture the SEC title…and ultimately the national title.

The hopes and dreams of Alabama came crashing down. ‘Bama not only lost any SEC or national title hopes, they would go on to be embarrassed by the Utah Utes in the Sugar Bowl.

It has taken 52 weeks, but thanks to hard work and perseverance, ‘Bama has returned to Atlanta…for the ultimate second chance. Alabama has the opportunity for revenge, but also the opportunity for redemption, against the Florida Gators.

I could discuss the “player aspect” and how Florida hasn’t been as sharp on offense since the departure of Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy, from the 2008 team. I could also go into great detail about the absence of Carlos Dunlap, and how his watching from the sidelines will greatly impact the Florida pass rush and run defense on the field. However, to me this is not a game about players…at least not this time around. Florida/Alabama 2009 will be about passion and desire, not statistics and Heisman Trophy candidates.



The illusive second chance has been captured by the Alabama football team, do they lose the opportunity like sand between your fingers…or do they seize the
day…and make history?

I have a strong feeling this contest will almost mirror the LSU/Alabama game. I see an emotional rollercoaster filled with big plays and critical moments.

I predicted the LSU contest to be 24-19 in favor of Alabama. The actual score was 24-15…in favor of Alabama. Florida is certainly a great team, but in my honest opinion, the wrong team is favored in this contest.

The 52 week torture is over, and in less than 24 hours Alabama has a chance to assume the “hero responsibility,” and capture the SEC title for the 22nd time in school history.

Heroes are never born…heroes are made. So, how long does it take to become a hero? Come Saturday night in the Georgia Dome everyone will know the answer is simply…52 weeks.

The great second chance...is now.

Alabama 24 Florida 19

The SEC championship game will be televised on CBS. Coverage begins at 3:00 p.m. central time.

Tide Talk: Roy Upchurch & Julio Jones

Video Courtesy of TideSports.com

Irresponsible Gator: Florida's Dunlap Suspended

If fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide needed more reason to prove the “haters” wrong and send Tim Tebow to the Sugar Bowl, Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap has added fuel to the bonfire. Arguably the leader of the Gator defense, Dunlap (#8 pictured above), will not play against Alabama in the SEC championship game.

Dunlap was arrested in Gainesville on Tuesday and charged with DUI. According to reports, police spotted a red Chrysler at an intersection not moving...even though several green lights had come and gone. The officer at the scene found Dunlap asleep at the wheel of his automobile.

According to Gainesville Police spokesman Keith Kameg, police woke up Dunlap at the scene, but he would only open his eyes for a short period of time, before once again...falling asleep.

The Florida defensive end reportedly rejected a breath test and was subsequently booked and charged with DUI.

Simply regarded as one of the best players in college football, Dunlap was named the defensive MVP of last year’s national title game, and is currently tied for the team lead with seven sacks this season. To go along with his sack productivity, Dunlap leads the Florida defense in quarterback hurries with a total of six to his credit.

With the absence of Dunlap, the entire structure of the game will change in many respects. On the Alabama side of the ball, Dunlap was certainly a player who would need to be located and identified on every single offensive snap.

From the vantage point of the Tide coaches and players, nothing has changed…and nothing will change. However, if you’re a fan of the Crimson Tide looking for another crack in the Florida armor…today has been your lucky Tuesday.