Happy Wednesday everyone, glad you’re getting the day started with us. Here’s the latest Alabama news and notes.
Lane Kiffin’s Pass-Happy Alabama is the Complete Package
"Six of Sims’s 23 completions against Florida covered at least 20 yards, leaving him as the most efficient passer in the SEC. All summer long, the vacancy at quarterback was the red-siren issue preventing Alabama from challenging Florida State at the top of the preseason polls, yet on a day when both no. 1 FSU and no. 2 Oregon were nearly undone by their Achilles’ heels (more on that below), Sims made a very persuasive case that Alabama doesn’t really have a fatal flaw."
You know, Alabama frustrates me. You spend a good portion of your summer writing about the potential flaws for Alabama this year to only throw it all away by the fourth week. What went from a major concern, is now a strength. Sims has performed better than anyone has imagined and is one of the more dynamic players in the country. This new offense is a threat to score on any play, whether on the ground or through the air. As much as I love a good defense, it’s refreshing to talk about the offense as much as we have.
Alabama QB puts Iron Bowl rivalry aside to honor Auburn student with cancer
"“People always say the players aren’t the ones that are so into the rivalry, it’s the fans,” Perry told ESPN.com. “And I think that’s really true. Sometimes as fans, we get caught up in what team we pull for the games themselves, but the players, they know what’s important and they know when to be rivals and when to be friends.”"
A really great story that isn’t being talked about enough, instead it’s everything that’s wrong in sports. As Crimson Tide fans, we know this state can get a little carried away with the Iron Bowl. It’s nice to read a story like this and be able to take a step back and realize it’s just a game. These players, and hopefully fans, live for more than what just happens on the field.
CBS’s Relationship with the SEC is Over
"Because in the wake of the conference’s addition of Texas A&M and Missouri, CBS refused to increase the amount it was paying for the package of rights. This was an incredibly stupid decision that effectively ended CBS’s relationship with the SEC. Sure, there are nine years left on the existing CBS and SEC deal, but every year the value of this deal diminishes because there is a 0% chance it is going to be extended. So while CBS is making a substantial amount of money on the deal right now, the company’s intractable position in the recent round of negotiations forever fractured CBS’s partnership with the SEC. This relationship is over."
Wait does this mean no more Verne and Gary?! Yay! This may be the best news all day everyone. The article brings up a good point, if you know the contract won’t be extended then why not try to buy out the rest? ESPN will probably buy the rights to all SEC games so why doesn’t NBC or FOX swoop in? This isn’t my expertise but SEC games are the hottest on the market, might as well try to cash in.
Kiffin being sued by former player
"Baucham claimed he suffered “cardiopulmonary damage” and a “brain injury with neurocognitive deficits” after he played against California on Sept. 22, 2012. He also claims he was ill and dehydrated before the game but was forced to play by Kiffin.“USC and head coach Kiffin were clearly negligent and acted with conscious disregard for Brian’s welfare and safety by forcing him to play … despite his verified medical history and seriously ill condition,” Baucham’s attorney Bruce M. Brusavich told The Associated Press."
Kiffin can’t comment because of Saban’s rules during the season. We don’t have every detail but this obviously doesn’t shed a positive light on Kiffin right now. Hopefully this doesn’t become too big of a distraction, as Kiffin has been a great hire for Alabama.
My first four now includes Alabama and Auburn
"Wouldn’t the selection process be so much simpler if the committee accepted that reality? All the members would have to do is pick the top two teams from the top division in college football and fill the other two semifinal spots with the best of the rest."
To clarify, this article is about their current top 4, not the projected. I can’t see both Alabama and Auburn making it, the loser of the Iron Bowl won’t have enough time to reach the top 4 again. As for right now, it’s hard to argue not having at least two SEC West teams at the top. Alabama, Auburn and Texas A&M could all argue they belong and deservedly so. This will only get more and more interesting as the season goes along, buckle up.