Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 10/28
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Alabama is hitting its stride at the right time
"As the playoff committee prepares to release its first set of rankings on Tuesday, there is one team that has to get some considerable attention in the early playoff race.Welcome back, Alabama!Yes, the school left for dead on the side of Highway 6 after losing to Ole Miss, is back in the national spotlight, and there is really no reason not to take the third-ranked Crimson Tide (7-1, 4-1 SEC) seriously.Since losing 23-17 in Oxford, the Crimson Tide have won three straight. The first game was an ugly, tough 14-13 win at Arkansas, but the past two have been in blowout fashion. A week ago, folks were drooling over that 59-0 thrashing of Texas A&M, and now it’s time to start respecting Alabama more after a convincing 34-20 win against Tennessee in Knoxville."
The Tide definitely has some tough games to come but you have to be at least a little bit optimistic after the improvements each week. Being a man down on the line with Cameron Robinson will be tough but the staff has two weeks to get things working again.
Alabama boosters paid $3.1 million so Nick Saban can have free mansion
"Alabama coach Nick Saban makes a lot of money, but that means little to Crimson Tide supporters when it comes to keeping their head coach happy.According to al.com, in March 2013 the Crimson Tide Foundation, a private nonprofit founded to help fund Tide athletics, paid $3.1 million to buy Saban’s Tuscaloosa home.Saban and his wife purchased the home in 2007 for $2.875 million. It has 8,759 square feet, four bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms and sits on 1.26 acres."
Am I the only one that doesn’t care about this even though the media is making a big deal about it? It’s a foundation and it’s their money. It’s their business what they do with it. Personally, I’m thankful for it. Pay the man.
Alabama Football: Brutal November Will Define Tide’s Season
"When the first in-season rankings for the College Football Playoff come out on Tuesday, there will be much consternation and disagreement over resumes, placement, injuries and more.It is inevitable. It is also what makes college football so fun.Plenty of that will revolve around Alabama, currently the highest-ranked one-loss team in both the AP and Coaches polls. The Crimson Tide, though, are currently third in their own division, behind undefeated and unanimous No. 1 Mississippi State and Ole Miss, which beat Alabama three weeks ago but suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday to LSU."
As the old saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. And it’s here. November: the month that decides the West. This season is no different and every game counts.
Coaching Staff Recognizes Players of the Week Following Tennessee Win
"Six Alabama players were recognized by the coaching staff following Saturday’s 34-20 victory at Tennessee. Amari Cooper, Blake Sims and Ryan Kelly were honorees on offense, while Jonathan Allen represented the defense. Landon Collins and JK Scott made the special teams list."
Two Alabama Defensive Players Named as National Award Semifinalists
"Landon Collins and Reggie Ragland were both named to national award semifinalist lists on Monday as the Butkus Award tabbed Ragland and the Jim Thorpe Award identified Collins."