HZT Crimson Tide Daily Wrap Plus Practice Report 11-18-2013

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Practice Report

RB T.J. Yeldon stood off to the side as Alabama’s running backs went through drills. Yeldon is dealing with a sprained ankle that he ultimately played through Saturday. He left the game in a walking boot and was limping a bit as he walked today. “We put a guy in a protective boot pretty much for anything,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said earlier today. “If you had a corn on your toe, we would put you in a protective boot. And I agree with that. I think that’s a good thing. I’m not trying to say that it’s not something that we should do. It does help the guys recover, helps eliminate some swelling. We’ve had guys in boots two hours before the game.”
TE O.J. Howard wore a brace on his left knee and did not participate in most drills. Saban listed Howard, along with Yeldon, as one of his “nicked up” players. At this point, it sounds like both should be ready to play Saturday, but we’ll continue to monitor it.
TE Brian Vogler (ankle) wore a black, non-contact jersey and did not participate in any drills. He’s “day to day,” Saban said.
With Vogler and Howard not participating, Harrison Jones and Malcolm Faciane were the first tight ends to catch passes during early-practice drills.
CB Deion Belue wasn’t participating in drills. Mondays have typically been light for Belue, who has been dealing with hamstring and toe issues since the start of camp.
DE LaMichael Fanning’s suspension remains ongoing.

With Ohio State outside of top 2, Urban Meyer calls BCS a ‘flawed system’

The Buckeyes are undefeated but unlikely to make the BCS national championship unless Alabama or Florida State lose.

Alabama practices ‘Hail Mary’ defense once a week with one simple message

Landon Collins discusses Hail Mary defense with the topic in the headlines.

T.J. Yeldon, A’Shawn Robinson, Cade Foster among Alabama’s 11 players of the week

Brian Vogler, HaHa Clinton-Dix, C.J. Mosley, Jarrick Williams, Landon Collins, Dee Hart, Cody Mandell and DeAndrew White also honored.

BCS analyst Brad Edwards: Auburn or Missouri would be best 1-loss team by winning out

Life is about to change for ESPN’s BCS analyst once the four-team playoff arrives.

Alabama tight end Brian Vogler ‘day to day’ with sprained ankle

Freshman tight end O.J. Howard among the players listed as “nicked up.”

Alabama wasn’t on Chattanooga coach’s mind before Saturday’s overtime loss to Samford (video)

The Mocs coach brought his 17th FCS-ranked squad into Seibert Stadium seeking a win to secure the SoCon championship. He was also thinking about his team earning a berth in the playoffs.

Alabama legend Ozzie Newsome feeling better after health scare in Chicago

The 57-year-old Baltimore Ravens general manager is expected to be back on the treadmill today.

What time is the 2013 Iron Bowl?

For the sixth consecutive season, Alabama and Auburn will kick off during the day and wrap things up under the lights.

Alabama puts two on SEC player of the week award list

Two Alabama players rewarded after 20-7 win at Mississippi State.

Alabama-UTC Football Game PAY-PER-VIEW Details Announced

Fans throughout Alabama and Tennessee will have access to the game by making a one-time purchase through their respective cable or satellite provider. The select cable providers, Dish Network, DirectTV and AT&T U-verse will offer the PPV game for residential purchase starting at $29.95 in advance or $34.95 on game day. Additionally, commercial establishments can purchase the PPV game for $300. Fans are encouraged to contact their respective provider for specific details about pricing and when the game will be available for purchase.

Cody Mandell Named Ray Guy Award Player of the Week

Alabama punter Cody Mandell was selected as the Ray Guy Award Player of the Week and SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after his career performance on Saturday against Mississippi State the Augusta (Ga.) Sports Council and the Ray Guy Award announced on Monday.

Alabama Hosts Stillman on Monday Night in NIT Season Tipoff Opener

The Alabama Crimson Tide will open play in the 2013 National Invitation Tournament Season Tipoff when it hosts the Stillman Tigers on Monday night at 7 p.m. CT at Coleman Coliseum. The Tide is the No. 3 overall seed and is serving as the team host of the South Region. Georgia State and McNeese State will play the first game of the event on Monday at 4:30 p.m. CT. The winning teams and the losing teams of the first round will then meet on Tuesday, Nov. 19, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Regardless of Monday’s outcome, Alabama will play in the 7 p.m. game on Tuesday.

TideTV Links

Alabama vs Chattanooga Game Notes

THE GAME: The top-ranked University of Alabama football team returns home for Senior Day and the final home contest of the 2013 season. The Crimson Tide welcomes Chattanooga (8-3, 6-2 Southern) to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. The game between the Crimson Tide and Mocs will kickoff at 1:05 p.m. CT and will be available on pay-per-view. Chris Stewart will serve as the play-by-play announcer, with Tyler Watts at his side as the color analyst. The two will be joined by sideline reporter Tom Roberts. Eli Gold and Phil Savage will handle the radio call on the Crimson Tide Sports Network, with Roberts serving as sideline reporter.
RANKINGS: Alabama enters week 13 of the 2013 season ranked first in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings, the Associated Press and USA TODAY Coaches polls. Chattanooga is ranked 18th in the FCS Coaches poll.
CHATTANOOGA: The Mocs enter the game with an 8-3 overall record and a 6-2 mark in Southern Conference play. Chattanooga is led by fifth-year head coach Russ Huesman and is coming off of a 17-14 overtime loss against Samford in Birmingham last weekend. Jacob Huesman is Chattanooga’s starting quarterback and leads the team with 1,637 yards passing and 894 yards rushing. He is averaging 230.1 yards of total offense per game while accounting for 25 touchdowns, 16 through the air. The Mocs running back Keon Williams is next with 687 rushing yards and nine scores. Faysal Shafatt is the team’s leading receiver with 308 yards on 33 receptions with six touchdowns.
ALABAMA-CHATTANOOGA SERIES: Alabama has won all 11 meetings with Chattanooga, including a 45-0 conquest in 2009 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The series dates back to the 1908 season with the Crimson Tide taking the inaugural game 23-6 on Oct. 31, 1908. The Tide notched four straight shutout wins over the Mocs in 1914 (63-0), 1929 (46-0), 1931 (39-0) and 1950 (27-0). Alabama’s 46-0 win over Chattanooga on Oct. 12, 1929, was the third game ever played at the Tide’s Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Mocs were also coached that day by Harold “Red” Drew, who later served as Alabama’s head coach from 1947-54. Drew compiled a 13-5-2 record in 1929-30 at Chattanooga. He was 54-28-7 in his tenure with the Crimson Tide. The 1950 game was the first game in the series to be played at Birmingham’s Legion Field. The Tide posted a 42-28 win in 1952 and a 21-14 victory in 1953. The Tide added another shutout with the win in 1959. The two teams also met at Legion Field in 1991 and 1994, with the Tide posting a 53-7 win over Chattanooga in 1991 and 42-13 in 1994.
HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS: Harold “Red” Drew is one of three former Alabama players or coaches to coach at Chattanooga. Frank Thomas, who led Alabama to a 146-115-24 record and two national championships from 1931-46, also coached the Mocs from 1925-28 and compiled a 26-9-2 record in four seasons. Drew and Thomas led the Mocs to three consecutive Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) championships in 1927, 1928 and 1929. Another former UA player and assistant coach Bill Oliver was the head coach at Chattanooga from 1980-83, where he compiled a 29-14-1 record. Thomas, Drew and Oliver are the three winningest coaches in Chattanooga history, in terms of winning percentage. In addition, Thomas is among seven coaches who have coached for and against Alabama in their careers. The complete list includes Eli Abbott, Paul “Bear” Bryant, Bill Curry, “Red” Drew, G.H. Harvey, Nick Saban and Stallings.
NEXT GAME: Alabama travels to The Plains to face sixth-ranked Auburn (9-1, 6-1 SEC) in the regular-season finale. The top-ranked Tide has won two straight in the series, two straight in Auburn and four of the last five meetings. The winner will clinch the SEC West title and advance to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta.

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