Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 9/13
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.
SEC remains college football’s most dominant conference
"The 2014 college football season is only two weeks old, but the Southeastern Conference, or SEC, still sits on top of the college football world.Eight SEC teams are currently ranked in both the AP Top 25 and USA Today polls. Five of these schools – Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Texas A&M and LSU – are all ranked in the top 10 in both polls.SEC teams are currently 19-1 against nonconference opponents. The only loss came from the Temple Owls 37-7 rout over Vanderbilt in the opening week of the season."
You knew I would have to include a headline with that title, right? Just an article telling us what we already know. The SEC is a tough conference and it’s the most dominant in recent history. If you can get through an SEC schedule and make it to the title game, you are definitely better prepared. People can argue against it all they want. Just point them to the list of BCS Title winners.
The tree, the shadow and how Alabama is approaching its final tune-up before SEC play
"Alabama fans will watch. They always do.The college football nation? They’ll be back at this time next week, when Alabama opens its SEC schedule against Florida in what is easily the conference’s best game Sept. 20.In Nick Saban’s eyes, that sort of detail is “the shadow.” As he mentioned Monday and again Thursday, he prefers the Crimson Tide players to be instead focused on “the tree” as it prepares to face a Southern Miss team that has won just two games since the start of 2012."
We got one more game to go and then it’s SEC time. Andrew Gribble wrote this one and it takes a look at the team’s mind set and sort of how they are looking at things as the season progresses. It’s a good read. And the tree quote reminds me of Mr. Miyagi so I’m good with that reference.
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Alabama football: Tide offense already showing changes under Kiffin
"Whether the differences are noticeable or not, Alabama’s offense has changed under new coordinator Lane Kiffin.During the media’s viewing period of practice, the quarterbacks and running backs have been seen working on the read-option. In the first two games, the tight ends have lined up in the slot while the fullbacks have been split out wide. There has also been some pre-snap movement and quite a bit of action away from the ball. So there are some new wrinkles, but few have been exposed yet. And don’t expect too many when the Tide hosts Southern Mississippi on Saturday."
Remember when I said that we may have not seen everything that we will do offense? Well, here you go. There’s no reason to display all of your cards on the table until they are needed. We will probably see a few more show up next weekend against Florida.
Man hides in Nick Saban’s bathroom, surprises girlfriend with proposal
"When Drew Clayton decided to propose to his girlfriend back in May, he stuck to a simple mantra: Go big or go home.Clayton, a Mississippi State alum, knew he wanted to do something special to surprise his now-fiancée, Decatur native Kayla Posey, who was finishing up graduate school at the University of Alabama."
Well, Drew took Gumpin’ to a whole other level. Standing ovation, Drew. Now, how are the single Alabama guys supposed to compete with this? Seriously, congratulations to the both of you.
Live Feed
South Bound & Down
"The Alabama soccer team defeated in-state competitor UAB, 2-0, in Friday night soccer action at the Alabama Soccer Complex.“It’s a win,” said head coach Todd Bramble. “We’ll never leave this field after winning the game, taking that for granted. Every win is tough to come by.”Emily Rusk made five saves against UAB’s 10 shots en route to her second shutout of the season and the Tide’s third clean sheet. Alabama placed seven of 12 shots on frame and broke through to score two goals by night’s end."
Women’s Tennis Earns Five Wins on Day One of Fall Season
"The women’s tennis team collected five wins on the first day of play for the fall season. The squad split time between the Duke Fab 4 Invite and the Baylor Under Armour Kick-Off Event."
Alabama Opens 2014-15 Collegiate Swimming and Diving Season with Decisive Wins over Delta State
"In the first collegiate dual meet of the season, the Alabama men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams each cruised to victory over Delta State University. The women swept the Statesmen by a score of 216-79, while the men picked up the victory, 199-98."
Men’s Tennis Picks up Four Wins at Harvard Chowdah Fest on Friday
"The men’s tennis team kicked off its fall season Friday at the Harvard Chowdah Fest with three wins in singles and another in doubles.Doubles play started in the morning, where senior Stuart Kenyon and sophomore Sean Donohue snagged a win against sophomore Vadym Kalyuzhnyy and junior Ignacio Gonzalez of South Florida, 8-5."
Volleyball Sweeps Southern Miss to Open Weekend in Montgomery
"After Alabama narrowly defeated Southern Miss in the opening set of Friday’s match, the Crimson Tide won convincingly in sets two and three to secure the sweep over the Golden Eagles to open the weekend at the ISTAP Collegiate Cup 2."
Men’s Golf in Eighth After First Round of Illini Invitational
"The top-ranked Alabama men’s golf team is in eighth place after Friday’s first round of play in the Olympia Fields Country Club/Fighting Illini Invitational.The Crimson Tide, one of 10 schools ranked among the Golf Coaches Association of America Preseason top-25 poll that are competing at the tournament, finished the day with a team total of 300, nine strokes behind clubhouse leaders Virginia Tech (291)."
Those last few links will get you caught up on what else is going in the world of Alabama athletics.
Have a great day and Roll Tide. Keep it right here on Bama Hammer and The Houndztooth Powered By Bama Hammer for all of your Alabama Crimson Tide news and discussions.