Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 9/27
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place. It is the weekend but unfortunately, there’s no Alabama football today. We will get you caught up on the news as we all wait in anticipation for next Saturday.
SEC West alone rivals most conferences
"Consider the strength of the SEC West through the first month of the 2014 season:• SEC West teams are 22-0 against teams not in the division and are winning those games by an average margin of 34 points. SEC West teams are a combined 24-2, with the only losses coming against each other. Along with Auburn’s victory over Arkansas, Mississippi State upset LSU 34-29 on the road last week.• The SEC West has a 99.3 rating on a 0-100 scale in ESPN’s division power rankings, which is 33 points higher than any other division in college football.• Each of the SEC West teams rank in the top 20 of ESPN’s Football Power Index, which is more teams than the Big 12, Big Ten and ACC have combined. The top three teams in the FPI are from the SEC West: No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Texas A&M and No. 3 Auburn."
Great read on the toughest division in the country. If it’s not, post in the comments and let me know which one is. If any of these teams go unscathed past the SEC title game and earn a spot in the first College Football Playoff, just go ahead and give them the trophy.
Henry was ‘hyped’ after first catch of 2014
"With six minutes left in the third quarter, the Crimson Tide was faced with a third down of 23 yards – after wide receiver Amari Cooper was flagged on a touchdown the play before for pushing off of Gator cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III.Henry caught a screen pass out of the backfield from quarterback Blake Sims and took it 29 yards downfield for the first down. It was his first catch of the season so, naturally, Henry popped up from the tackle and clapped his hands together, celebrating.“I was just hyped,” Henry said. “Just the emotion in the game, I was happy. I was hyped for us to be able to get that first down and get close to get the score.”"
Henry had mentioned that he was cautious with a some sort of bruise or very minor injury during this game but once he took a few hits, he was all good to go. He was a different man during the second half of the game. Having him back ready to pound the rock will be great against Ole Miss.
When Fully Healthy, Alabama’s Defense Can Finally Show What It’s Made of
"Alabama’s defense hasn’t been terrible by any means. Statistically, it sits at No. 5 in the country in yards per game.But it hasn’t exactly faced a murderers’ row of offenses, and has given up more big plays than it would like.Part of this could be drawn up to injuries. The Crimson Tide have been without several key contributors at some point or another throughout fall camp and into the season.But coming out of a bye week and ready to sink its teeth into the meat of its SEC schedule, Alabama looks to be pretty much healthy on that side of the ball."
I am reminded of a line from one my favorite movies, “The Program”. “Let’s put the women and children to bed and go looking for supper”. You get the feeling that the defense may feel like they aren’t getting the respect that they are accustomed to getting. A hungry defense or even team can be an extremely dangerous thing, especially with so much talent there to get it done.
Kiffin brings some flash to old-school Alabama
"The brash Lane Kiffin has brought more pass and flash to an Alabama team that has been wildly successful with a bruising formula that relied on the ground game and defense as the primary ingredients.Nick Saban has turned over his old-school playbook to the often outspoken former head coach used to leading his own teams, embracing the trend toward more wide-open offensive attacks in the process.It was a bold, maybe even risky, hire by Saban — setting up a potential collision of massive egos.Right now, it looks like a winning move."
Another bright side to this is it gives me something to rub in my Auburn friends’ faces. Writer’s note: It eats them alive so be sure to use it in your future discussions.
Alabama Needs Extra Time, Comes Away Victorious, 1-0, at Tennessee
"The Alabama soccer team collected the game’s lone goal at the 100:42 mark in extra time to earn its first ever win in Knoxville and the Tide’s first SEC win of 2014, on Friday night at Regal Soccer Stadium in Knoxville."
Men’s Tennis Ropes in 12 Wins at Crimson Tide Four-in-the-Fall on Friday
"The men’s tennis team kicked off the Crimson Tide Four-in-the-Fall tournament on Friday, winning 12 matches. Six of the Tide’s victories came in doubles, while the other six were earned in singles."
Women’s Golf to Tee It Up at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate
"The Alabama women’s golf team returns to the course this weekend at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate Presented by 3M, hosted at the Reunion Resort’s par-72, 6,319 yard Watson Course.The three-day, 54-hole tournament begins Sunday, with 18 holes being played daily."