Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 12/16

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

Cincinnati Bengals’ DE Wallace Gilberry says Tide will ‘crush’ Ohio State in Sugar Bowl

"While the five players make their livings in Ohio now, they’ve lined up behind Alabama for its Sugar Bowl showdown with Ohio State in a semifinal game of the College Football Playoffs.“I’m excited,” Gilberry told Zack Meisel of Northeast Ohio Media Group after Cincinnati’s 30-0 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the second 2014 installment of the NFL’s Battle of Ohio on Sunday. “Up here, all you hear is Ohio State: ‘Oh, if we play SEC teams, we’ll beat them.’ But now there’s nothing more to talk about. The day is coming, and the best team will come out on top.”"

Well, there is one vote of confidence from the former Tide player. I’m glad it’s the former players and not current ones. They can have some fun and talk a little trash but the current ones have more things to worry about right now. Practice starts today.

Alabama season review

"There were moments where it appeared as if the dynasty was dying. But Alabama wouldn’t go down that easily. Thanks to an offensive coordinator no one wanted and a quarterback no one saw coming, the Crimson Tide steadied the ship in the second half of the season, won the SEC Championship and earned a berth in the inaugural College Football Playoff."

ESPN takes a look back at the season and gives out a few “Best Of” and “Worst Of” awards on the internet.

Alabama’s Walk of Champions: The Real College Football Experience

"You can’t talk about college football without mentioning the University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide have one of the most diehard fanbases in sports and are not afraid to show it. Before every home game, the fans gather around “The Walk of Champions” to see their team enter Bryant-Denny Stadium.Check out what Alabama football means to their fans."

Check out the short video from Bleacher Report with some interviews with the fans to see what Alabama means to them.

Tide Talk with TR and Trevor

"Travis Reier: Not a huge surprise in New York City as far as the Heisman goes. Marcus Mariota was the overwhelming favorite and it played out that way with the Oregon quarterback getting the nod from more than 90 percent of voters.As for Amari Cooper, if the season he’s had was good enough for a third place finish, I don’t know if we’ll ever see another receiver win the award. At least, not one who doesn’t also return kicks.Trevor Hewett: Got to agree with you here. Cooper put together an incredible Heisman resume this season against some of the top competition in all of college football and was only able to come in third.The Heisman has always been tough on wide receivers and if what Cooper just did was not good enough to even put him as a runner-up, then it’s tough for me to see another receiver taking home the trophy any time soon.TR: Looking at Alabama’s roster for 2015, who would you choose as the Crimson Tide’s next Heisman candidate and why?Trevor: I guess it’s time to get the Jacob Coker Heisman hype machine going again, right? In all seriousness though, Derrick Henry could have a chance if TJ Yeldon does indeed opt for the NFL draft this spring. Henry has the name recognition and talent to make a run at college football’s highest honor and an increase in carries could lead to some big time numbers for the sophomore running back."

Great feature from BamaOnline with their own Travis Reier and Trevor Hewett discussing everything Alabama that’s happened in the past few days.

Alabama Travels To Square Off With No. 11/11 Wichita State

"The Alabama men’s basketball team will travel to take on No. 11/11 Wichita State on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. CT.Tuesday’s contest at Wichita State will be the only road game in the current seven-game span, which began last Saturday at home against Tennessee Tech. Following Tuesday’s game, the Tide will play five consecutive home games – the longest homestand since playing eight consecutive home games during the 2008-09 campaign."

Tide Welcomes Arkansas-Pine Bluff for Annual Fifth Grade Fastbreak Game

"The women’s basketball team (8-4) continues its December homestand on Tuesday when it hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-6) at Coleman Coliseum for an 11 a.m. CT tip. The contest will serve as the Crimson Tide’s eighth annual Fifth Grade Fastbreak event, welcoming both city and county schools to the game.BROADCASTTuesday’s game will air on SEC Network + with Mick Gillispie (play-by-play) and former Crimson Tide head coach Rick Moody (analyst) on the call. The game can also be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network with Roger Hoover announcing the action."