Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 10/23

Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.

How will Tennessee fans react to Lane Kiffin’s return to Knoxville?

"McElroy filed paperwork with the Knoxville City Council’s Public Properties and Facilities Naming Committee. He didn’t want to rename a campus street; rather, he requested a new name for the Kuwahee Wastewater Treatment Plant, which sits down the road from Neyland Stadium. The name? Lane Kiffin Sewage Center.“I just kind of put two and two together,” McElroy said.McElroy’s request was denied — and his $268 filing fee refunded — because the city no longer owned the plant. But McElroy’s idea exemplified a larger sentiment shared by Tennessee fans. Almost five seasons and two coaches after Kiffin skipped town, he remains public enemy No. 1 to a large portion of Vols’ faithful."

Tennessee fans make me laugh. Here we are a few years later and they are still talking about Kiffin leaving. Sure I hate when a coach leaves but it’s their lives and you can’t fault a man or woman doing something that they think will make them happier. Suck it up Vols’ fans and move on. Kiffin will probably get a job offer in the next few season and move on from Alabama and I will wish him well and appreciate what he did. Like Coach Orgeron said, you didn’t hate him the day before he left. You just hated him because he left.

Tennessee coach Butch Jones sizes up Alabama, says Tide has ‘no weaknesses at all’

"Since he was hired in 2013, the Vols have squared off against nine teams ranked 12th or better in the Associated Press top 25. No. 4 Alabama will be the 10th on Saturday and fifth ranked in the top five when the cross-divisional rivals kick off under the lights of Neyland Stadium.One year after he referred to Alabama as the “red team” to his players, Jones was relentless of his praise for the Crimson Tide during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference.Jones called Alabama “very deserving” of its current ranking because it’s a “very, very complete football team.”"

This is an improvement over the “red team” from last year. Nice to see them show some respect for their opponents this year.

Nick Saban grows frustrated answering questions about Lane Kiffin’s return to Tennessee

"Nick Saban sounded frustrated answering a few questions on the topic from Tennessee media on the weekly SEC telelconference. First, he was asked if Kiffin was “really apprehensive” about returning to the stadium where he coached the Vols in 2009.“Why would you say ‘really?'” Saban responded. “I haven’t really heard much about it. I think the most important thing for us is we need to focus on the game. The game is not about that. The game is about the players and regardless of what fans think or what fans do, I think our coaches and our players need to focus on what we’re going to do in the game and how we’re going to help our play their best.”"

I can not believe someone actually asked if Saban would go away from his norm to make arrangements because a coordinator was visiting his old employer. Just another day with the media.

Alabama preparing for ‘extremely challenging’ non-conference schedule, says Anthony Grant

"The schedule will certainly will make things difficult for head coach Anthony Grant, who enters his sixth season in Tuscaloosa on the “hot seat” with a 99-71 mark.“I think our non-conference schedule will be extremely challenging for us,” Grant said Wednesday during SEC Tipoff 15 in North Carolina. “I think the schedule we’ve put together for the non-conference will hopefully get us prepared for the conference.”"

Basketball season is almost upon us once again. I am hoping we see some improvement over last year.

Volleyball Sweeps Auburn on the Road Wednesday Night

"Alabama made quick work of Auburn Wednesday night on the road, as the Crimson Tide swept the Tigers in its first conference sweep of the season.Alabama (17-5, 5-3 SEC) won the opening two sets against Auburn (9-12, 1-7 SEC) by identical scores of 25-12, the largest margin of victory for the Tide in SEC play this season. The sweep was also Alabama’s first in conference play this season and the first SEC sweep since Nov. 27, 2013 at Mississippi State. Brittany Thomas earned her fifth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 11 digs along with a .393 clip as she went error-free over 28 swings. Alabama only had three total errors, ending with a team hitting percentage of .369 as Krystal Rivers (.405), Kat Hutson (.455) and Bruna Evangelista (.455) each finished above .400."

Grand Opening of Alabama Rowing’s Facilities Set for Oct. 23 at 4:30 p.m.

"The grand opening of Alabama rowing’s The Boathouse at Manderson Landing is set for Thursday (Oct. 23) at 4:30 p.m. on the banks of the Black Warrior River.University President Dr. Judy Bonner and Director of Athletics Bill Battle will be on hand as well as UA head coach Larry Davis, his staff and the current team. Victoria Croy, a member of the Crimson Tide’s inaugural team, will represent the rowing alumni while captains Logan O’Neil and Courtney Atkinson along with senior Alyssa Drevenak will represent the current team during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Following the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, members of the current team will be on hand for tours and to answer questions about the facility."

Alabama Women’s Golf Finishes Fall Season This Weekend at The Landfall Tradition

"The Alabama women’s golf team wraps up the fall portion of its schedule this weekend at The Landfall Tradition, hosted at the par-72, 6,205-yard Dye Course at the Country Club at Landfall.The teams will play three rounds, beginning on Friday, Oct. 24 and concluding on Sunday, Oct. 26."

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