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ALABAMA FOOTBALL: Tide in a shootout? No problem these days
"The final score was more Oregon or Baylor than Alabama.The top-ranked Crimson Tide showed it can keep pace in a point-a-minute shootout with a 55-44 victory over Auburn that seemed so out of character from the typical ‘Bama powerhouses built on running and defense.Alabama (11-1) hasn’t abandoned that formula so much as expanded on it heading into Saturday’s Southeastern Conference championship game against No. 14 Missouri. Now, opponents have to prepare for some no-huddle, a heavy dose of receiver Amari Cooper and maybe even a shootout."
High scoring offense? Bring in Lane Kiffin to up the production on offense and outscore them. From hearing Saban talk, the hurry-up is more to aid Blake Sims more than anything. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go back at least a bit to the old philosophy with some new tendencies next season.
NCAA 1-128 Re-rank: Alabama, Oregon above the rest
"Alabama has earned the right to move back into the top spot of the USA TODAY Sports 1-128 re-ranking after Saturday’s offense-driven Iron Bowl win against rival Auburn. Oregon did nothing wrong: The Ducks beat Oregon State, which ends its season one win shy of bowl eligibility.The Crimson Tide simply completed an impressive regular season with one final win of consequence. Both teams will play one more game before the beginning of the postseason, with Alabama matching up with Missouri to decide the Southeastern Conference championship and Oregon meeting Arizona for the second time this fall to settle the Pac-12."
Alabama still has some work to do but it’s nice to see order restored with the Tide on top.
Notebook: Tide gears up for SEC Championship
"The Crimson Tide defeated in-state rival Auburn 55-44 last Saturday in the Iron Bowl, but Saban said he wants his players to put that win behind them.“Right now, this is a new season and I think that what everybody needs to focus on as a team and as a staff, is that we look forward to the challenges of the future,” Saban said during his Monday press conference. “What we need to do to get ready to play a very, very good team in the SEC championship game.“The SEC championship game is a great opportunity for our players. It’s a great competitive venue, one of the most exciting games that I’ve had an opportunity to compete in and play in through the years, the few times that we’ve been able to get there.”"
Great summary from BamaOnline to get you caught up on the football news before the Tide heads to Atlanta to take on the Missouri Tigers.
How Long Will Lane Kiffin Stay at Alabama?
"From lightning rod to leader.That’s the journey Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has embarked on this year.The former USC and Tennessee head coach took over the Alabama offense under a cloud of doubt.“Is he really a good offensive mind?”“Can his personalty mesh with that of head coach Nick Saban?”“Will his system work with Alabama’s personnel?”"
Good article from Bleacher Report on the possibility of Kiffin getting a chance at a head coaching job. I am of the opinion that he will stick around one more year to learn and rebuild his repuation a bit. No one better to learn how to be a successful coach from than Saban.
Alabama Returns Home To Face South Florida Tuesday Night
"Alabama returns home for the first time since Nov. 20 when it hosts the South Florida Bulls on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. CT.Tuesday night’s contest will be televised on the SEC Network, with Roy Philpott (play-by-play) and Joe Dean (analyst) on the call. The game can also be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network, with Chris Stewart (play-by-play) and Bryan Passink (analyst) calling all the action."
Women’s Basketball Opens Eight Game Homestand with USC Upstate on Tuesday
"The women’s basketball team (5-3) will play its first of eight consecutive home games on Tuesday when it hosts USC Upstate (4-3) at Foster Auditorium. The game is slated to tip off at 6 p.m. CT.BROADCASTTuesday’s game will be televised 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."