Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 10/30
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Why Alabama is in a perfect position after the first College Football Playoff ranking
"One thing is for certain: Alabama has a golden chance to seal a place college football’s first playoff. Ole Miss was rightfully ranked above the Crimson Tide after winning a head-to-head in Oxford, and the Rebels have a massive game against No. 3 Auburn this weekend. The loser will almost certainly be ousted from next week’s top 4.Alabama’s strength lies in its remaining schedule. Alabama travels to No. 19 LSU on November 8th, then has a home game against No. 1 Mississippi State the following week, and has home field advantage in the Iron Bowl against Auburn on November 29th. If Alabama wins those three games and manages not to lose a trap game against Western Carolina, it’s all but certain the team would not only make the top four, but have a good chance at the No. 1 seed."
I couldn’t have said it any better myself. A lot of season left as well as games between the top six in the poll. Take care of business and we are in.
Crimson Tide prepares for Cam Robinson’s absence
"Alabama right tackle Austin Shepherd said the Crimson Tide’s offensive line has trained for moments like this since position coach Mario Cristobal arrived two years ago.The Tide will be without starting left tackle Cam Robinson “for at least two weeks,” but Shepherd said it’s next man up as every player on the line trains at every position.“I mean, it kind of happens all the time,” Shepherd said. “The way Coach Cristobal teaches it, he kind of tries to teach you all five positions at once. When I got here five years ago, you learned your position and that was it. The way the young guys are learning it now, you pretty much start at center and work your way out and pretty much learn all five at once.”"
Cam is a big loss but when the Tide was forced to make moves against Tennessee for his injury, things worked out. The line may have not been as dominant but was still formidable. Hopefully with the two weeks off, the Tide can get things gelling a little bit more until the talented freshman returns.
Championship banners raised to Coleman Coliseum rafters celebrate Alabama basketball, gymnastics
"Fans attending events in Coleman Coliseum will notice a few new decorations starting this season.A set of 14 banners were hung Wednesday in the home of Alabama’s men’s basketball and gymnastics programs. There are seven hanging in the rafters on each side parallel to both sidelines. One side commemorates the six gymnastics titles and one for the eight SEC championships."
Nice to see these go up to celebrate what those teams did. Here is hoping there’s reason to hang a few more after this year.
Alabama remains a top option for 4-star linebacker recruit Adonis Thomas
"Thomas committed to Florida in early August, choosing the Gators over the Crimson Tide. Alabama continued to recruit Thomas hard, though. Amidst uncertainly over the Florida coaching staff, Thomas announced last week that he was reopening his recruitment, keeping Florida in the mix with Alabama and LSU.“They’re up there,” Central Gwinnett High School coach Todd Wofford told AL.com on Wednesday about Alabama. “Probably realistically, they’re at the top since he decommitted. LSU has come on really strong. Those two would be up at the top.”"
Good stuff on prospect Adonis Thomas from Al.com. Sounds like he will wait and see what happens with the Florida situation but he is really favoring the Tide right now, too.
Soccer Travels to Lexington for Final Regular Season Game at No. 24 Kentucky
"Alabama will wrap up the 2014 regular season with a trip to Lexington to take on Kentucky this Thursday, Oct. 30, at 6:30 p.m. The game can be seen on SECN+. Kentucky owns the all-time series with Alabama, 11-5-1, and is 6-2 against the Tide in Lexington. In the last matchup between the two SEC foes, Alabama fell, 4-2, in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 20, 2013."
Baseball Announces Weekend Series in Mobile with Lipscomb University Slated for March 6-8, 2015
"University of Alabama baseball, in a partnership with the Mobile BayBears, will play a three-game series at historic Hank Aaron Stadium over the weekend of Friday, March 6, to Sunday, March 8, the parties announced. The meeting will be the third time Lipscomb and Alabama will have squared off and the first time in a three-game series.“Mobile is another opportunity for us to go into southern Alabama and bring our brand to Mobile,” said head coach Mitch Gaspard. “I think it’s just another chance for us to go out throughout the state this year and get out there, have people that may not be able to watch us play, get to see a series or even if it’s one game.”"
Alabama Baseball Announces Partnership with Hoover for the 2015 Season
"Alabama baseball, in a partnership with the city of Hoover, will play a majority of the 2015 home schedule at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, the two parties announced. The Tide will play 30-plus home games in Hoover while the stadium will once again play host to the 2015 SEC Baseball Tournament.“The City of Hoover is pleased to welcome The University of Alabama baseball team to the Hoover Met in 2015,” said Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey. “This will give local Alabama fans an opportunity to enjoy baseball games at the Hoover Met while the University stadium is undergoing renovations. It will also give college baseball fans a chance to see many quality teams from around the country play throughout the spring season.”"