Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 11/11
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Mississippi State excited, eager for showdown with Alabama
"Dan Mullen twisted and squirmed to remove his wireless mic as he walked off the field on Saturday night.“Load ’em up,” he told his wife the moment his postgame TV show had ended.No. 1 Mississippi State had just throttled UT Martin, 45-16, and the Bulldogs’ head coach was eager to get his family home and unwind in front of the TV.His job was done. Now he could relax and watch someone else struggle.Because there on the screen waiting for him was Alabama-LSU. What Mullen saw during that four-hour slugfest had to make him smile. All the hits. All the collisions. All the wear and tear next week’s opponent, Alabama, took as it eked out a 7-point win in overtime."
Everyone has a plan until they get hit in the mouth. Everyone circles the date they play Alabama and Mississippi State is no different. I’m sure they are looking forward to possibly knocking off Alabama in Tuscaloosa. We will see what happens.
LSU AD apologizes for ‘crude behavior’ after 4-letter chant directed at Nick Saban
"From the student section, a three-word chant with a four-letter word started. Within seconds, “F— you, Saban!” echoed through the sold out stadium. Alabama coach Nick Saban led the LSU program from 2000-04.The movement was easily heard on the CBS broadcast. (Here is the unedited audio of the moment)By Monday, LSU athletics director Joe Alleva apologized in a letter published on NOLA.com.“I’d like to once again thank our fans for their incredible support of our team in last Saturday’s game with Alabama. The Tigers played with tremendous heart and passion, and our fans played a huge role in inspiring a performance of which we can all be very proud."
College kids will be college kids. I’m sure Saban really cared what they were chanting. It wouldn’t have been as bad if they didn’t do it while one of their own players was injured on the field. Four in a row has that effect on people though.
Lane Kiffin told Alabama ‘this is how it’s going to be’ before pass to Brandon Greene
"Sims admitted Monday he was cautiously optimistic at best when he realized it was actually going to happen.There’s practice, and then there’s the first play of overtime against one of your toughest rivals inside their home stadium.“I was surprised,” Sims said. “We practiced it over and over during practice. He said, ‘This is how it’s going to be’ and you just hear coach say that and be like ‘Man, we can’t imagine it being that good.'”"
This is awesome and it’s about my favorite play from the LSU game. Kiffin had this one in his back pocket and it was glorious.
Alabama Showdown Is the Biggest Game in a Generation for Mississippi State
"Whether it’s the annual showdown with his former LSU program, the rivalry with intrastate foe Auburn, tough out-of-conference matchups or bowl games, big-game atmospheres and Alabama go together like peanut butter and jelly.It’s a different case for No. 1 Mississippi State.To steal a line from the Adam Sandler hit Big Daddy, big games and Mississippi State go together like lamb and tuna fish."
Just another Saturday for the Tide and their fans. Let’s get this thing going. Is is Saturday yet?
Men’s Basketball Holds Off Montevallo, 81-67, in Exhibition Play
"The Alabama Crimson Tide took down the Montevallo Falcons, 81-67, in the team’s first and only exhibition play of the season on Monday evening at Coleman Coliseum. Senior guard Levi Randolph led the team with 22 points while grabbing six rebounds.“First, I would like to give credit to Montevallo,” Alabama Head Coach Anthony Grant said. “Those guys came in and gave us a great game today. We had some careless turnovers that we will correct, but overall, I was pleased with the performance tonight.”"