Tide Tidbits – November 26, 2009

Tide looks to shut down AU offense
Alabama coach Nick Saban said Auburn has “one of the best offensive teams in the conference” and the Tigers are “probably the best running team we have faced all year.” Of course, that works both ways. The Tigers will be facing the toughest defense they’ve seen this season as well. So how will the Tigers move the ball against one of the best defenses in America? Obvious­ly, it starts up front with a tal­ented offensive line. “It seems like to me they’ve bought into it more,” said Alaba­ma defensive end Brandon Deaderick. “They’re playing harder.” That has allowed Ben Tate to emerge as one of the leading running backs in the nation. Stopping Tate, obviously, will be a key for the Alabama defense in order to concentrate on Chris Todd and the Auburn passing attack. [More]

Aftershocks still felt from addition of ex-Tiger Willis to Tide staff
The earth shook in west Alabama on Jan. 15 when Alabama assistant coach Lance Thompson resigned to take a job with Tennessee. Six days later, a quake struck across the state when Auburn assistant coach James Willis resigned to take a job with Alabama. Tremors were felt in and around Mobile, where both coaches recruited. As Alabama gets set for a 1:30 p.m. game Friday at Auburn, the aftershocks continue. Willis, formerly a star linebacker at Auburn, was wanted for treason when he crossed the great divide after an apparent contract dispute. Alabama coach Nick Saban was hailed for a move that at once could help his program and damage the program of his rival. Saban raves about this addition to his staff. “James is a very good linebacker coach. He’s a very good person. He has a very strong moral, ethical values system that affects people in the right way. He has a positive impact on our players. He’s very knowledgeable. He’s done a positive job for us in recruiting. He’s very well liked in the state by a lot of coaches who have had dealings with him because of the kind of person he is and the way he treats other people. He’s been a tremendous asset in every way.” [More]

No. 2 Alabama fills holes in offensive line and improves production
A 294-pound center who had previously worked on the scout team, a newly arrived junior college transfer and a redshirt freshman stepped into what had been arguably the best offensive line in college football. So how is it that Alabama’s offensive output improved from 2008 to 2009? “We had a great O-line last year,” said the redshirt freshman, right guard Barrett Jones, “and we came in and said there’s no reason we can’t have another great O-line this year. I feel like that’s something we’ve strived for, to be great.” Second-ranked Alabama (11-0) enters Friday’s 1:30 p.m. game at Auburn (7-4) with an offense that has bested last year’s production. Alabama also has a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in tailback Mark Ingram (1,399 rushing yards) and a quarterback who has been sacked only 11 times. [More]

Alabama’s SEC opponents enjoy scheduling edge
University of Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore will advocate for adjustments to the Southeastern Conference’s 2010 football schedule in hopes of bringing relief to a UA schedule that includes six SEC opponents that will not play the week before facing the Crimson Tide, Moore told The Tuscaloosa News. Following the 2010 football season, UA will have played more than three times as many games against SEC opponents coming off an idle week than any other team in the league over a four-year period, research by The News revealed. Auburn will be the third opponent this season to have an open date prior to facing Alabama. A wide array of circumstances brought about the four-year discrepancy. Among them are schedule changes and the effects of the NCAA’s switch to a 12-game format in 2006. In addition, SEC schools hold a measure of control over their own idle dates, which for the Crimson Tide means that facing well-rested opponents may simply be part of the price of being the team other schools would most like to beat. [More]

What is the best in-state rivalry in college football?
There is no in-state rivalry that comes close to Alabama-Auburn, not when the hatred between these schools goes way beyond one game in November. You can have Miami vs. Florida State, and Texas vs. Texas A&M. But if you lose the Iron Bowl, your entire year is wrecked. You have to wait 365 days for a chance to take revenge, all while getting taunted and harassed at work or at school or standing in line at the grocery store. That might go double for Auburn fans, who have taken a backseat to Alabama as the Tide built football dynasties under Bear Bryant and are doing it again under Nick Saban. The Tigers have had nice seasons, but nothing compared to their hated rivals. To put it simply, this game is more than a rivalry. It is a way of life. [More]

Saban guides ‘Bama into Bear-ified territory
Nick Saban works the room, shaking hands with crimson-clad fans, posing for pictures and chatting amiably about Cajun food. It’s mix-and-mingle time for Saban and Alabama’s fans, otherwise known as the commercial breaks during his weekly radio show. Sometimes aloof and always intense, Saban smiles, cracks jokes and is frequently interrupted by loud applause from the 200 or so fans packed into the local wing joint on that recent Thursday evening. Saban is successful and wildly popular among Alabama fans, who sport “S The Coach” bumper stickers on everything from pickup trucks to luxury sedans. He might be the state’s most-adored figure since Bear Bryant patrolled the sidelines in his houndstooth hat. Bear & S. The coaches. The way the two men compare gives Tide fans shivers and the way they contrast says something about the eras in which they coached. [More]

Tide Players Have Been Stuffed
Many will be stuffed this week. Alabama football players will be getting at least a couple of Thanksgiving meals, many of them with their families. But what they have been stuffed with this week is football. The Crimson Tide coaching staff gave the players a full week of preparation, but in one less day than usual. [More]

Roll Tide!

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