Bama in the News

December 22 - 31, 2009

• Men's Hoops to Face Mercer Wednesday Evening • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama men's basketball team returns to campus Wednesday evening to face Mercer in its final game before the holiday break. Tipoff between the Crimson Tide and Bears is scheduled... 

• Applewhite: No hard feelings toward Saban • Tuscaloosa News
AUSTIN, Texas | Despite rumblings that he left the University of Alabama because he didn't agree with Nick Saban's coaching philosophy, Texas running backs coach Major Applewhite said his one season as offensive coordinator of the Crimson Tide was a positive experience.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Practice, 12/22

• Gentry Estes: Tragic news for family of former Tide player • The Press Register
Former Tide linebacker Charlie Kirschman's father was found dead recently in Florida, per a report from the Times-Union of Jacksonville. 

• Jon Solomon: Nebraska's Suh is AP Player of the Year • The Birmingham News
Alabama's Ingram finishes tied for third

• Gentry Estes: Justin Woodall listed on roster for East-West Shrine Game • The Press Register
It appears as though Woodall has found a postseason all-star game, joining five other Crimson TIde seniors who are headed to the Senior Bowl.

• Defense Keys Tide Basketball Success • 'BamaMag
When Anthony Grant took over as Alabama’s head basketball coach, he pledged that his team would be active on defense. And the Crimson Tide has brought excitement with its pressing style of defense. Bama has also given headaches to opponents by causing turnovers that fuel Bama points.

• VIDEO: Scenes from Tuesday's practice • BamaOnLine
In spring-like conditions and in front of a few notable football, the Crimson Tide worked out in shoulder pads and helmets.

• INSTANT ANALYSIS: Tuesday • BamaOnLine
In some ways, Alabama's pre-Christmas practices have a spring practice feel about them.

• Practice Report: Good omens surface for Tide • Crimson Confidential  (Subscribers Only)
A couple of good omens surfaced for Alabama Tuesday.

• Practice Report: National Championship Game Practice 4 • Bama Sports Report
The Alabama football team practiced again on Tuesday in pre-Christmas preparation for the Texas Longhorns and the BCS National Championship Game. The Tide worked outside and in shells.

• Alabama Football Player Teleconference Transcript • RollTide.com
Alabama players Rolando McClain, Greg McElroy, Mike Johnson and Mark Ingram share their thoughts on bowl practice and the Tide's upcoming game with Texas. 

• TSE Sneak Peek: Barry Krauss • Tuscaloosa News
Barry Krauss talks to TSE about everything from the famous 'Goal Line Stand' to Nick Saban's similarities to coach Bryant. For the complete interview, subscribe to TideSportsExtra.com today.

• Andrew Bone: Tide coaches using spare time looking at future prospects • Tuscaloosa News
The nation’s No. 1-ranked team returned to the practice field Saturday to begin bowl preparations for the BCS National Championship Game against Texas in Pasadena on Jan. 7, 2010.

• Don Kausler Jr.: Excuse me, but aren't you Alabama starting quarterback Greg McElroy? • The Birmingham News
He says being a celebrity is "tough at times," but for the most part he's enjoying the attention.

• Don Kausler Jr.: Forget the Heisman; the eyes of Texas' jilted McCoy are on college football's grand prize • The Birmingham News
The last time a Heisman finalist faced a Heisman winner in the national championship game at Pasadena, it was McCoy's predecessor as the Longhorns' quarterback, and he led Texas to the title.

• Gentry Estes: BCS title game: Texas' Will Muschamp, Alabama's Nick Saban friends off field, foes on Jan. 7 • The Press Register
TUSCALOOSA -- The moderator of the conference call pronounces the city's name incorrectly, like all of Mobile could sprout legs and walk away.

• Larry Burton: The BCS Championship Prediction by Quarter Alabama Vs Texas • Bleacher Report
This game will have a lot of build up to attract viewers and to portray Texas as a giant killer or a deserving underdog but if both teams bring their A game, it won't be a contest.

• Larry Burton: The BCS Game in California Is a Double Homecoming For Alabama's McElroy • Bleacher Report
Going to California will be a double homecoming for Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy.

• 2011 standout talks Tide, Horns • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
One of Texas's best junior prospects is Chris Barnett, a versatile, 6-6, 237-pounder from Smith HS in Dallas. He already holds over 20 offers, including ones from FSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tennessee and Texas Tech. He's also hearing from Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas.

• Mack Brown talks about title game • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
On Monday, Texas Coach Mack Brown and Longhorn defensive tackle Lamar Houston discussed facing Alabama in the BCS national championship game January 7.

• Journey Continues For McElroy • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy has negotiated an interesting football journey, one that is far from complete. Most of his career has been spent on the sidelines, but when he’s on the field he’s perfect. And he’s been nearly perfect in the classroom, too. 

• Wright Says He’ll Visit LSU • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
James Wright hasn't had any in-home visits yet but says all the coaches have been to his school.

• In-state 2012 star shows out • BamaOnLine  (Members Only)
Watch this in-state sophomore sensation show out at tight end and linebacker in our latest prospect video...

• CC All-Alabama Team • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Nominees are needed for the CC All-Alabama Team. 

• Saban’s ability to lead begins with tunnel vision mindset • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Nick Saban admitted to feeling like he has a gift. Well, sort of.

• Bama in the NFL Week 15 Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Bama in the NBA December 21st Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Coach Nick Saban Press Conference Transcript • RollTide.com
Alabama head coach Nick Saban and several Tide players met with the media on Monday to talk about preparations for the BCS National Championship game against Texas. 

• McElroy focused on winning title, not payback • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Greg McElroy was clear: There is no chip on his shoulder for the University of Texas.

• Alabama overcomes cold start, crushes Blue Hose • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | It was a tale of two halves for the Crimson Tide women’s basketball team, which used a red-hot offensive first half and smothering second-half defense to cruise past the Presbyterian Blue Hose 71-38 on Monday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum.

• Longhorns downplay underdog role • Tuscaloosa News
AUSTIN, Texas | Nobody has to remind the Texas Longhorns of their eerily familiar circumstances going into their Jan. 7, 2010 BCS National Championship Game against Alabama.

• Saban doesn’t see Texas as underdog • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The notion that an undefeated team from the Big 12 Conference is a decided underdog in a national championship game might be hard to swallow, but that would appear to be the role Texas coach Mack Brown would prefer leading up to his team’s BCS National Championship Game against the University of Alabama.

• Saban doesn’t see Texas as underdog • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The notion that an undefeated team from the Big 12 Conference is a decided underdog in a national championship game might be hard to swallow, but that would appear to be the role Texas coach Mack Brown would prefer leading up to his team’s BCS National Championship Game against the University of Alabama.

• Chase Goodbread: Good Tidings • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Monday practice update Monday practice update
The latest from Monday's practice and media interviews as Alabama closes in on a holiday break.

• Rachel Baribeau Blog • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/21 – Player Bites 12/21 – Player Bites
Rachel Baribeau speaks with Javier Arenas, Lorenzo Washington and Cory Reamer. 

• Nick Saban Press Conferences • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/21 – Monday post-practice 12/21 – Monday post-practice
Nick Saban speaks at length with reporters about the upcoming BCS title game.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/21 - Nick Saban part 1

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/21 - Nick Saban part 2

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/21 - Cory Reamer

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/21 - Lorenzo Washington

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/21 - Javier Arenas 

• TideSports Photo: • Tuscaloosa News
SCRAPBOOK: Album 4 (updated)

• BCS CHAMPIONSHIP: • Montgomery Advertiser
Crimson Tide's McElroy to play near former home against Texas team that recruited him
TUSCALOOSA -- It's a homecoming of sorts for Greg McElroy. 

• Texas concentrates on fundamentals • Montgomery Advertiser
AUSTIN, Texas -- No. 2 Texas started getting ready to face No. 1 Alabama for the national championship without a game plan or a depth chart.

• Never hooked by ’horns • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — Coming from the land of hooked horns, Alabama’s Greg McElroy knows a little something about his opponent in the Jan. 7 BCS National Championship Game. Born and raised for 10 …

• College Football Notebook • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — Growing up in Cookeville, Tenn., Texas coach Mack Brown was in the heart of Southeastern Conference. He was not a Tennessee fan, though. “Alabama has …

• Bama, Texas getting to know each other • Dothan Eagle
Alabama and Texas haven’t played in football since the 1982 Cotton Bowl. But they’re learning about each other very quickly.

• Cavalcade of Whimsy - The Holiday Wish List • College Football News
It's time for the annual holiday wish list for all 120 teams, like hoping that Florida's John Brantley doesn't get ruined by the spread, along with a look at the Joe McKnight situation, the Big Ten expansion, another reason to be happy about the bowls, and more in the latest Cavalcade of Whimsy.

• Cavalcade, Part 2 - Why Bama will win • College Football News
Ten reasons why Alabama will win the BCS Championship.

• Undefeated Alabama, TCU, Cincinnati and Boise State Advance in Playoff • Bleacher Report
What Would be the 2009 NCAA Football Second Round Pairings If There Were a 16 Team Playoff ?

• Is Bama ahead of schedule? • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
When Nick Saban took over at Alabama almost three years ago, his stated goal for the Tide program was to be a champion. Little did anybody know that it would happen so quickly. Following Monday's practice, Saban was asked if his blueprint for success was ahead of schedule.

• Tide getting back into playing shape • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Following Monday's practice, Nick Saban said his team was slowly working back into playing shape. "We've actually had three fundamental practices where we've worked a lot of technique and worked a lot against each other," Saban said.

• Alabama players preview Texas • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Linebacker Rolando McClain, quarterback Greg McElroy, guard Mike Johnson and running back Mark Ingram previewed the national championship game between Alabama and Texas to be played on Thursday, January 7 at 7:00 pm (CT) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on ABC. 

• Saban Christmas Wish List • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
With this being the week of Christmas, I thought it might be interesting to gauge what Nick Saban’s Christmas Wish List looks like this week. 

• Commit Update: Fowler set for UA • BamaOnLine  (Members Only)
Jalston Fowler is one of several Alabama commitments graduating this month and planning to enroll in January to get an early start with the Crimson Tide. BamaOnline goes in-depth with the soon-to-be Tide running back inside...

• Tide taking it one day at a time • BamaOnLine  (Members Only)
Nick Saban knows it's out of his control, but he wishes people would stop asking No. 1 Alabama's players about the national championship. That's one of those external things he calls "clutter,"...

• EXCLUSIVE - Tide target names Alabama his leader • Crimson Confidential
When asked if he had a leader he replied, "Alabama, they are my number one school," the standout athlete told Crimson Confidential. "Bama has it going on right now...."

• Notes from the meeting with Mack • Crimson Confidential
Following his pre-bowl trip press conference Monday, Texas head coach Mack Brown sat down with beat reporters, including Ross Lucksinger of InsideTexas.com, to discuss reinstating D.J. Monroe, injuries, preparation for Alabama, why playing Alabama means so much to him and more. 

• IN FOCUS: Spencer Region • Crimson Confidential
At first glace Culman HS standout Spencer Region looks the part of a future Alabama offensive lineman. Region, a...

• Practice Report: National Championship Game Practice 3 • Bama Sports Report
The Alabama football team practiced on Monday afternoon for the third time in preparation for the BCS National Championship Game. Sorry for the lateness of the post... Monday was a heck of a day.

• Bama in the NBA December 22nd Stats:
See how former players performed.

•  Football Team Wraps up Fourth Bowl Practice • RollTide.com
The Alabama football team practiced for two hours in shells Tuesday afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility, completing its fourth practice for the upcoming BCS National Championship Game ag... 

• Bowl game payout a boon for coaches, UA • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The payout for the BCS National Championship Game is expected to exceed $15.5 million for each team, but in reality the University of Alabama will be paid just less than $2 million — plus travel expenses — above the allotment received by other Southeastern Conference schools once the money is distributed.

• Tide offensive line takes pride in streak • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | It happened on a first-and-10 play in Lexington, Ky., in the second quarter of a 38-20 University of Alabama win over Kentucky. Greg McElroy dropped back and threw incomplete on a pass intended for Marquis Maze. 

• Grant, Tide looking for a complete game • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | In its recent outings against nationally-ranked opponents Purdue and Kansas State, the University of Alabama men's basketball team turned in a strong first half against the Boilermakers and a good second half against the Wildcats. But for Crimson Tide head coach Anthony Grant it still adds up to two bad games.

• Bama in the NFL Week 16 Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Bama in the NBA December 27th Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Football Team Returns to Practice • RollTide.com
The Alabama football returned to the practice field Sunday night to continue preparations for the upcoming BCS National Championship Game against the Texas Longhorns. 

• TideSports Photos: • Tuscaloosa News
ALABAMA SCRAPBOOK: Rolando 

• Bama Returns to the Practice Field • Bama Sports Report
After taking a three day break for the players to go home for Christmas, the Alabama football team reported back to campus for bowl practice number six. As was the case with practice number five on the 23rd, today's practice was closed to the media. It looks as though everyone made it back to Tuscaloosa on time for what was expected to be the first practice to really focus on Texas. Monday's practice is expected to have the normal media viewing period, and we'll have our normal report up at that time.

• CC Recruiting Roundup - December 27th, 2009 • Crimson Confidential
Alabama recruiting is picking up steam and we are here to bring you the latest information as it happens. 

• BOOIIINNG! Meyer Returns...Sort Of • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
University of Weird Athletics Director Jeremy Foley must feel like he has his most high-profile head coaches on a bungee cord. A few years ago Florida Basketball Coach Billy Donovan was Orlando Magic Coach for a Weekend. This weekend, Gators Football Coach Urban Meyer made Donovan look like an NBA lifer. 

• Gymnastics Adds Becca Alexin to its 2010 Roster • RollTide.com
When the Alabama Gymnastics team reported back to campus Saturday after the Christmas break, the Crimson Tide welcomed Becca Alexin who joined the team after graduating early from high school to st... 

• Florida's Meyer could return as coach • Tuscaloosa News
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Less than 24 hours after he resigned, Florida coach Urban Meyer is instead taking an indefinite leave of absence that opens the door for his return to the Gators.

• Doug Segrest: SEC predictions: Bowl season part I • The Birmingham News
It's time to take our first shot at SEC bowl predictions. Tell me where you agree or disagree and don't be shy about giving me your picks for game Jan. 1 and beyond. MUSIC CITY: Kentucky vs. Clemson Clemson is favored by 7.5 points Kentucky puts its three-game bowl winning streak on the line against Dabo Swinney's Tigers. Clemson...

• Gentry Estes: Crimson Tide gets back to work today after holiday break • The Press Register
The last bit of time off is finished for Alabama's football team, which now awaits 10 practices in the next 11 days before the BCS title game against Texas.

• Alabama Probation: Is the BCS Playing Favorites? • Bleacher Report
This past summer, on June 11, 2009 to be exact, the NCAA announced that the Crimson Tide of Alabama football program, along with 15 of the schools other athletic teams, was on probation for three years...

• Crimson Tide Goes Back To Work • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Before Alabama had a break for Christmas, the practice emphasis was on the fundamentals. “Back to basics” is how it was described as the Crimson Tide had a few days of tough work last week. 

• Top junior talks with Scout • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Virginia Tech have offered...

• Cecil Hurt:  Expectations in the SEC East just got higher • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
It didn't measure on the Richter scale and it wasn't at the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco, but an earthquake struck college football — especially the Southeastern Conference — early Saturday evening.

• Bama in the NBA December 26th Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Gators’ coach sites health concerns as the reason • Tuscaloosa News
GAINESVILLE, Fla. | It wasn’t Notre Dame that did it, like many feared these past few years. It wasn’t the NFL, which always seemed a possibility.

• Tuscaloosa News earns award for online coverage • Tuscaloosa News
The Associated Press Sports Editors is honoring 40 newspapers' sports Web sites as the organization adds a new online category.

• Tide ready to get back to work • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Fundamental brush-ups will begin to give way to Texas-specific preparation this week as the University of Alabama resumes practicing for the BCS National Championship Game.

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Can Florida find a coach to measure up to Meyer and stand up to Saban? • The Birmingham News
Not that he needed it, but Nick Saban, the man who has everything, just got another Christmas present.

• Bill Bryant: Meyer's health at center of his stunning departure • The Huntsville Times
Gator Haters were counting the days until Urban Meyer would no longer have Tim Tebow. 

• BCS CONTENDERS FIGHTLONGLAYOFF • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - Before the confetti fell in Atlanta, Alabama understood it was headed to California to play for the national title. 

• Don Kausler Jr.: Tale of two QBs: One thing similar leaders won't share is a BCS title • The Birmingham News
Let's look at how Tide's Greg McElroy compares and contrasts with Texas' Colt McCoy.

• Gentry Estes: BCS title game: Alabama players ready to get back to work after taking break for Christmas • The Press Register
TUSCALOOSA -- Before the confetti fell in Atlanta's Georgia Dome, Alabama's team already understood it was headed to California to play for the national title. 

• Randy Kennedy: Crimson Tide predicted to rout Texas by web site • The Press Register
Alabama is going to beat Texas in the BCS title game to claim the school's first national championship since 1992. You can take that prediction to the bank -- at least 65.2 percent of the time.

• Philip Shirley: FROM BEHIND ENEMY LINES: Texas Longhorns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide • al.com
Congrats to the Crimson Tide players, coaches and fan base on a great SEC championship game. And a special thanks to my Florida friend....the crate of Florida oranges arrived and they are delicious! I'll have a case of Chilton County peaches ready for a rematch next year... In my last analysis I said one key in the SEC championship...

• SEC Bowl Games Start Today! • SEC Sports
SEC Bowl Game Central has ALL of the SEC Bowl Game Action and Information - So Don't Miss Out on Anything This Bowl Season!

• MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER CLASS 5A-6A FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: NICK PERRY • Montgomery Advertiser
Nick Perry

• ALABAMA FOOTBALL: Texas QB is the real McCoy • Montgomery Advertiser
He is the winningest quarterback in college football history and owns 47 school records as a four-year starter at the University of Texas.

• Living his dream • Decatur Daily
TUSCALOOSA — Not much of an Alabama fan, a sixth-grader named Rob Ezell was sitting in … 

• Saban wants to quiet clutter as work begins • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — As the second phase of pre-BCS National Championship Game preparations begin, eliminating the distractions of the previous few weeks is high on coach Nick Saban’s list of … 

• Sallee Blog: End Of The Year Accountability • College Football News
CFN SEC Blogger Barrett Sallee looks back at his good, bad and ugly prognostications and predictions in 2009.

• Saban Comments On Meyer Situation • 'BamaMag 
The college football world was shocked Saturday afternoon with the announcement that Florida Coach Urban Meyer, who has won two national championships in his five years with the Gators, will resign for health reasons following the Sugar Bowl. 

• Johnson Knew O-Line Had Work To Do • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Most football fans have never watched a game from the sidelines, and many of them would love to do that. They would discover that the view from the sidelines is about the worst to try to see what is going on. The only place that might be worse is from the vantage point of an offensive lineman.

• 12 Days of Champions: 1926 • BamaOnLine
The University of Alabama football team and Coach Wallace Wade, here looking on during the 7-7 tie with Stanford in the Rose Bowl, proved that its first national title was no fluke.

• Heisman curse? Hardly • BamaOnLine
Although the recent trend has been for Heisman Trophy winners to lose the national championship, it's more from facing tough opponents than anything else.

• Commit Update: Shepherd looking to compete • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
With All-American Mike Johnson set to graduate, December graduate offensive guard Austin Shepherd has his sights set on competing for playing time this spring.

• Commit Update: Sims talks UA future • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Quarterback Phillip Sims hopes to get a jump start for his Crimson Tide career by coming in this spring but how high does the future Tide signal caller have his sights set? 

• 12 Days of Champions: 1925 • BamaOnLine
Alabama's postseason beginnings go deep into the roots of college football.

• Commit Update: Milliner looking to compete • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Commit Update: Milliner looking to compete

• Commit Update: Foster set to kick off • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Commit Update: Foster set to kick off

• Commit Update: Lindsay ready to compete • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Commit Update: Lindsay ready to compete

• CC's All-Alabama Team - Offensive Line • Crimson Confidential  (Subscribers Only)
Here they are, the cream of the crop up front in Alabama. 

• Brown readying for reality of facing top-ranked Tide • Crimson Confidential
What if it was an all Texas Pasadena showdown?

• War Room - Recruiting Q and A plus Tidebit • Crimson Confidential
Questions regarding the 2010 class? Wondering about where a certain player fits in Alabama's scheme or just feel...

• Will's Blog - About these William Gholston rumors.... • Crimson Confidential
We're hearing a lot of rumors about William Gholston possibly flipping his commitment from Michigan State to Alabama...

• Forbes: Bama most valuable team in SEC • Crimson Confidential
According to Forbes Magazine, Alabama is the most valuable team in the SEC in terms of what's left...

• SEC Scores:
Independence Bowl: Georgia 44, Texas A&M 20

• Football Team Holds Second Practice • RollTide.com
The Alabama football team worked for two hours in shells Monday afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility, completing its second practice since the team returned from the holiday break.

• Nick Saban Press Conferences • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/28 – Monday post-practice 12/28 – Monday post-practice
Nick Saban addresses the media Monday after practice. 

• Gentry Estes: Nick Saban: 'I'm trying to keep my day job, because I would be working just as hard at home.' • The Press Register
Alabama's coach jokes that the stress he encounters as an SEC coach is nothing compared to what he'd face if he wasn't coaching.

• Gentry Estes: What was Oklahoma's Bob Stoops doing in Tuscaloosa again? • The Press Register
Stoops was in town Wednesday, but it wasn't for another meeting of coaching minds, according to Nick Saban.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/28 - Practice

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/28 - Nick Saban

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/28 - Colin Peek

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/28 - Mike Johnson

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/28 - Terrence Cody 

• Rachel Baribeau Blog • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/28 – Player Bites 12/28 – Player Bites
Players Terrence Cody, Mike Johnson, Colin Peek and Cory Reamer speak after practice. 

• Practice notes • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
After taking three days off for Christmas break, top-ranked Alabama practiced indoors in full pads Sunday night. The Tide held a workout outdoors today. 

• VIDEO: Saban's Monday news conference • BamaOnLine
Alabama head coach Nick Saban met with reporters following Monday's practice.

• VIDEO: Cody, Johnson, Reamer and Peek • BamaOnLine
Four members of the Crimson Tide met with the media following Monday's practice. Check inside for video coverage of interviews with Terrence Cody, Mike Johnson, Cory Reamer and Colin Peek!

• VIDEO: Scenes from Monday's practice • BamaOnLine
After taking a few days off for Christmas, the Alabama Crimson Tide is totally focused on its title game date with Texas.

• INSTANT ANALYSIS: Monday • BamaOnLine
INSTANT ANALYSIS: Monday

• Carpenter out with flu; Johnson battling illness, thumb injury • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Bama fans worried about the Tide missing its starting left tackle for the second straight bowl game can breathe easy.

• Practice Report: Bama endures chilly temps in second post-Christmas workout • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Monday afternoon’s chilly temperatures didn’t seem to bother top-ranked Alabama. 

• Green Named SEC Men's Basketball Player of the Week • RollTide.com
University of Alabama sophomore JaMychal Green has been named the Southeastern Conference men's basketball Player of the Week the league office announced Monday.

• Women's Basketball Game at Mississippi Moved to Jan. 6 • RollTide.com
The women's basketball game at Mississippi, previously schedule for Thursday, Jan. 7, will now be played on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at the C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum. Tipoff remains at 7:00 p.m. (CST). 

• Carpenter absent • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama offensive lineman James Carpenter was not at practice during the media viewing period Monday. The Crimson Tide's starting left tackle was replaced in drills by Alfred McCullough, though it remains unclear why Carpenter was not in attendance or whether the absence was excused.

• Chase Goodbread: Good Tidings • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Monday practice update Monday practice update
The latest from the practice field as the Crimson Tide prepares for the BCS National Championship Game against Texas.

• TideSportsExtra Features • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
5 Things: Texas coaching 5 Things: Texas coaching
A look at the coaching of the Texas Longhorns, as well as the special teams units, as Alabama prepares to face UT in the title game.

• Gentry Estes: Alabama's James Carpenter dealing with the flu; Marquis Johnson has a cast on thumb • The Press Register
Both players are expected to be available for the BCS national championship game, according to Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban

• Don Kausler Jr.: Carpenter out with the flu; Marquis Johnson sick and has injured thumb • The Birmingham News
But defensive back practiced and "should be able to play in the game," coach Nick Saban says.

• Gentry Estes: Practice report: Tide begins work on Longhorns without an offensive starter • The Press Register
Left tackle James Carpenter was absent during the media viewing period at the start of today's Alabama practice.

• Don Kausler Jr.: Tide left tackle James Carpenter missing from today's practice • The Birmingham News
Saban is scheduled to speak to the news media after the workout.

• Men's Hoops Players of the Week • SEC Sports
Alabama's JaMychal Green and UK's DeMarcus Cousins are this week's SEC Players of the Week.
Read More

• Franklin Crittenden: Nick Saban and Alabama are Looking To Chase History in the Rose Bowl • Bleacher Report
"Remember the Rose Bowl we'll win then," so goes the fight song of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide. Imagine the year is 1925 and you are on a train bound from Tuscaloosa, Al to Pasadena, Ca...

• Larry Burton: Could This Be The Best Alabama Team Ever? • Bleacher Report
For the first time since the AP has been selecting All Americans, one school has six players on the All American Team and it is this year's Alabama squad.

• SEC Honor Goes To High-Scoring Green • 'BamaMag
Scoring more than a point-a-minute in a basketball game will get you noticed. That's what JaMychal Green did last week against Mercer, and this week he was recognized by the Southeastern Conference as the Player of the Week.

• EXCLUSIVE - Shon Carson high on the Tide • Crimson Confidential
Wondering who could be the next Mark Ingram down the road for Alabama? Look no further than 2011...

• SEC Scores:
Music City Bowl: Clemson 21, Kentucky 13

• Bama in the NFL Week 16 Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Several Crimson Tide recruits enrolling early • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | As many as 11 incoming football players could enroll at the University of Alabama early next month, giving the Crimson Tide an infusion of talent when it returns from Pasadena, Calif,, from the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 8.

• Recruiting Q&A Part V • Tuscaloosa News
Texastider: how much time does saban spend recruiting texas? .

• Andrew Bone Recruiting Report • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Alabama recruits in national all-star games Alabama recruits in national all-star games
The regional all-star games have concluded, and the national stage is set for prospects to shine. Alabama has seen numerous commitments competing in high profile post-season games since coach Nick Saban's arrival. They are well represented in the three major all-star games, and several players are still on Alabama's wish list

• Gentry Estes: An introduction to Alabama's home away from home on the West Coast ... • The Press Register
Find out where the Crimson Tide's team will be staying and practicing while in southern California for the BCS national championship game. 

• Coaching in constant anxiety • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - With a national title game looming, now is not a time to reflect for Alabama coach Nick Saban, but he once described what he dislikes most about his role.

• Gentry Estes: Urban Meyer situation highlights stress problem for coaches, including Alabama's Nick Saban • The Press Register
"The worst part of being a coach is you live in a state of constant anxiety, every day, every play, every whatever," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "And when the game's over, you have these brief moments of relief where you're not anxious anymore.

• Pendry points Tide's O-line to success • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart was honored with the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach a couple of weeks ago. Sal Sunseri and James Willis have been showered with accolades for their production this season as first-year Tide defensive assistants. 

• Pair of ties bind Saban, Texas • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — The situation is hardly a new one for Alabama coach Nick …

• College Football Notebook • Decatur Daily
TUSCALOOSA — The Alabama football team returned to the practice field Sunday night to continue preparations for the upcoming BCS National Championship Game. Alabama began the …

• Walker junior continues to gain attention • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
In the fall of 2008, Jasper-Walker cornerback Jacquese Kirk was one of the state's top sophomore performers. He had seven interceptions that season. The 6-0, 170-pound Kirk followed that up with four picks this season. Now he's hoping that a good performance at the U.S. Army Combine in San Antonio next month will raise his stock with college recruiters. 

• 12 Days of Champions: 1930 • BamaOnLine
Although Alabama wasn't the consensus national champion, Wallace Wade's sendoff was one of the ages, with a 10-0 season capped by another big victory at the Rose Bowl.

• Rose Bowl not just special to Alabama • BamaOnLine
After not playing in the Rose Bowl for more than 100 years, Texas has won twice there including the 2005 national championship and is looking to add another title. 

• All-Star Central • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Over the next two weekends, Crimson Tide commits and targets will be showcasing their skills in various postseason all-star games - and in the case of several prospects such as four-star corner John Fulton, they will be making their college decisions as well. 

• John Fulton talks top three • Crimson Confidential
Fresh off of a Shrine Bowl performance that still has people talking, John Fulton talked about both the game and his top schools. 

• Can equally driven Saban avoid Meyer-like episode? • Crimson Confidential
You gotta wonder how Nick Saban does it. How does he avoid an Urban Meyer. 

• Bama returns to practice field after three-day Christmas break • Crimson Confidential
Top-ranked Alabama jumped back into practice mode Sunday night after a three-day Christmas break. 

• Larry Burton: Alabama's (Mostly) Unsung 2009 Football Heroes: Part One • Bleacher Report
When the 2009 season began, many thought that Alabama would have a successful year, though they were picked to finish by many as low as third in the SEC West behind both Ole Miss and LSU...

• O-D Morning Practice Notes • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Who stood out in the first practice of the week?

• Cody Has Been Making The Rounds • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Senior Tide All-America nose tackle wants to make it into history books

• Defensive showdown may fit Tide to a T • BamaOnLine
Although the national championship game is being billed as a defensive showdown, Alabama will try and beat the opposition where it always does, in the trenches.

• Notebook: Carpenter returns from the flu • BamaOnLine
Left tackle James Carpenter returned to practice, cornerback Marquis Johnson looked better and the recruitment of Colt McCoy by both coaches before he signed with Texas. 

• IN FOCUS - Jameis Winson 2012 (updated) • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
If you haven't heard the name Jameis Winston before, you really should do yourself a favor and read this article.

• 2011 Juice Johnson talks recruiting • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Junior safety Chris "Juice" Johnson (Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic) received a South Carolina offer the first day he could get one and it was the first offer he got. He talked with TheBigSpur.com to update the schools that are recruiting him and named a few schools that are standing out to him, including a leader 

• Why one Texas fan predicts Tide tumble in Pasadena • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Wondering why Texas fans believe the Longhorns will prevail on Jan. 7 and upset top-ranked Alabama? Wonder no more. 

• Practice Report: National Championship Game Practice Number 8 • CBama Sports Report
The Alabama football team was back outside in the cold Tuscaloosa weather for their eigth practice in preparation for the Texas Longhorns in the BCS National Championship Game. With just two more practices remaining before the Tide heads to California, Bama was in full pads.

• Alabama Players Talk About Bowl Practice • RollTide.com
Alabama players Mike Johnson, Terrence Cody and Cory Reamer talked about the Tide's bowl preparations this week. 

• Tide filling needs with 2010 class • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
During the recruiting process, it's natural to focus on what you don't have rather than what you already have. While Alabama is in position to add several top prospects to its class of 2010, the group of commitments the Tide coaching staff has already assembled not only ranks among the nation's best, it's also a success in terms of addressing needs. 

• An Old Rose Bowl Story • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
Featuring my grandfather 

• Practice Report: Carpenter back at practice after missing Monday workout with flu • Crimson Confidential
Hopefully, for Alabama’s sake, the flu bug is done for the season. 

• Men's Basketball Closes Out 2009 Against Tennessee State • RollTide.com
Following a brief recess over the Christmas holiday, the University of Alabama men's basketball team will return to action on Wednesday evening against visiting Tennessee State. As part of a double...

• Women's Basketball to Take on Southern Mississippi Wednesday • RollTide.com
Following an eight-day break from play, the women's basketball team (7-5) returns to the hardwood Wednesday to take on Southern Mississippi (4-7) at Coleman Coliseum. 

• Carpenter returns • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama offensive lineman James Carpenter rejoined teammates at practice Tuesday as the Crimson Tide prepares for the BCS National Championship Game against Texas on Jan. 7.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/29 - Practice

• Chase Goodbread: Good Tidings • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Tuesday practice update Tuesday practice update
The latest from the practice field on Tuesday as Alabama gets ready for a national title tilt with unbeaten Texas.

• TideSportsExtra Features • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
The Line: Chris Low The Line: Chris Low
ESPN blogger Chris Low talks with Rachel Baribeau about the BCS National Championship in this edition of The Line

• Don Kausler Jr.: After missing one practice with the flu, James Carpenter is back at work with the Tide • The Birmingham News
Top-ranked Alabama will hold two more practices in Tuscaloosa before flying to California for the Jan. 7 national championship game against second-ranked Texas.

• Gentry Estes: Practice report: Tide's James Carpenter returns from flu bug • The Press Register
As it turns out, the left tackle's bout with illness kept him off Alabama's practice field for only one day. No. 77 is back at work this afternoon.

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Why is Alabama playing for the BCS title while on NCAA probation? Let me explain • The Birmingham News
No one's breaking any rules in sending the Tide to Pasadena. 

• Former TE Howard Cross Talks Crimson Tide and NY Giants on Podcast • Bleacher Report
We were fortunate to talk to former tight end for the Alabama Crimson Tide and the New York Giants, Howard cross, about a slew of topics.

• 1992 Defensive Linemen Discuss ’09 • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama’s defensive unit has been the force paving the way to 13 victories. The efforts have mirrored successful seasons in the past as the cornerstone of an Alabama national championship has frequently been stout defense. None was more celebrated than the 1992 collection of defenders which is why the memory of that group still reverberates throughout the program as the modern day gold standard. 

• Bama Recruiting Notes & Recruiting News From Around The League • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
While Alabama does not play this weekend, many future players will be in action this Saturday in two different All-Star games. 

• VIDEO: Scenes from Tuesday's practice • BamaOnLine
With the countdown to its meeting with Texas in Pasadena well underway, the Crimson Tide was back in full pads for Tuesday's practice.

• INSTANT ANALYSIS: Tuesday • BamaOnLine
On Tuesday, the Crimson Tide got some good news on the injury front.

• Closing out the 2010 class • Crimson Confidential
Alabama is wrapping up yet again another top class nationally.

• One on one with Spencer Region - EXCLUSIVE UPDATE INSIDE • Crimson Confidential  (Subscribers Only)
Mammoth 6-foot-6, 340 pound Spencer Region has built a reputation of being one of the nastiest offensive linemen in Alabama. One result of his nasty attitude on the football field is his ability to drive block opponents with devastating force. Linemen refer to the art as "pancaking" your opponent. 

• Bama in the NFL Week 16 Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Bama in the NBA December 28th Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Coach Nick Saban Press Conference Transcript • RollTide.com
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban spoke with the media following Monday's two-hour practice. 

• Texas’ Moore gives UA’s kickoff team something to think about • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | It wasn’t big enough news to draw much national attention, nor was it enough of a splash to alter the betting line in Las Vegas.

• Crimson Tide continues to prepare for Longhorns • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Two University of Alabama regulars — cornerback Marquis Johnson and offensive lineman James Carpenter, missed all or part of practice on Monday with health and injury issues, but neither are expected to miss the Crimson Tide’s BCS National Championship Game against Texas on Jan. 7.

• Cecil Hurt: McCoy could have been at LSU with Saban • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
One of the most recognizable figures on the Alabama sideline is, of course, head coach Nick Saban. Across the field on the Texas sideline, the marquee name will be Colt McCoy.

• Video Blog • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
DEC. 29 Cecil Hurt Show DEC. 29 Cecil Hurt Show
Cecil and Rachel are in-studio one final time before hitting the west coast for the BCS National Championship game.

• TideSportsExtra Museum • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
TSE Exlusive: Barry Krauss Part II TSE Exlusive: Barry Krauss Part II
The second of a two-part video interview series with former Alabama great Barry Krauss, participant in the famous goal line stand.

• FLU TAUNTS TIDE AGAIN • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - The flu was around for the beginning of Alabama's successful football season, and it has returned in time for the exciting conclusion. 

• Don Kausler Jr.: Saban makes light of stress, then he and Peek stress how they feel about Meyer • The Birmingham News
College football is better off with Florida coach on the sidelines, Tide coach and tight end say

• Gentry Estes: BCS national championship: Tide again taking precautions against the flu • The Press Register
TUSCALOOSA -- The flu was around for the beginning of Alabama's successful football season, and it looks like it doesn't want to miss the exciting conclusion. 

• Sports Soundoff for Dec. 29 • The Press Register
Spurrier should return The beatdown by Alabama must have made all the Florida Gators fans sick, too. Florida should get rid of Urban Meyer and Foley and bring back Steve Spurrier. He always had another trick up his sleeve and at least would have made an effort instead of coming up with some lame excuse. Meyer another victim...

• ALABAMA FOOTBALL: Tide's recruiting class of 2008 lives up to hype • Montgomery Advertiser
The first big wave of excite­ment leading up to the BCS na­tional championship game be­tween Alabama and Texas actually started on Feb. 6, 2008.

• ALABAMA BASKETBALL: Tide's Green SEC player of the week • Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery native JaMychal Green has been named the South­eastern Conference men's basketball player of the week, the league office announced Monday.

• Illness puts Carpenter out of practice • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — In the weeks after “The Blind Side” swept through movie …

• BCS National Championship Game Notebook • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — On the first day in the last three without breaking Urban Meyer news, Alabama’s Nick Saban addressed the health concerns facing college football coaches. He …

• If the BCS Had Never Been Born • Bleacher Report
It's everyone's favorite pastime to complain about the BCS. The system is claimed to be unfair to smaller schools, and to be a conspiracy theory which guarantees teams from power conferences like Texasand Alabama to play for the national championship while relegating schools like Texas Christian and Boise State to a virtual BCS "Toilet Bowl."

• Monday practice notes • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Last week when right tackle Drew Davis was out with the flu, Alfred McCullough filled in. With left tackle James Carpenter sidelined for Monday's workout with the flu, McCullough flipped sides to fill in for Carpenter. "He's really taken it head on and done a great job filling in those two places," left guard Mike Johnson said of McCullough.

• Tide defense against McCoy the runner • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Alabama linebacker Cory Reamer has a simple answer for how to defend Texas quarterback Colt McCoy when McCoy runs the ball. "Tackle him," Reamer says. 

• Saban Indicates Things Are Well • 'BamaMag
Considering the situation with Florida’s Urban Meyer taking a leave of absence for an illness that apparently is aggravated by the stress of being a football coach, it seems Alabama’s team is keeping the stress level low for its head football coach. 

• Top junior talks with Scout • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Virginia Tech have offered...

• Saban Can Handle Football Stress • 'BamaMag
Alabama coach concerned about health of Florida's Meyer

• 12 Days of Champions: 1934 • BamaOnLine
Led by Coach Frank Thomas and All-American halfback Millar "Dixie" Howell, Alabama beat Stanford in the Rose Bowl and made a claim for the national title.

• Offensive Targets • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
The University of Alabama football program has secured the commitments of another strong group of offensive skill players as well as the start to another top offensive line class. Work, however, remains with the Tide looking to finish the offensive side of the ball strong. ...

• Trey DePriest high on Bama • Crimson Confidential
Will Matthews recently spoke with 6 foot 2, 220 pound linebacker prospect Trey DePriest. DePriest projects to be one of the top players out of Ohio for the 2010 season. He runs the forty in the 4.5 range and currently claims 16 offers.

• Alabama LB talks top three • Crimson Confidential   (Subscribers Only)
South Carolina has had a good history in landing some talented players from the state of Alabama during the last four years. The Gamecocks have stepped up and gave a verbal offer to Class of 2011 linebacker Antonio Marsh (Prichard, Ala./Blount). Marsh spoke with TheBigSpur.com about the offer and about the Gamecocks.

• Practice Report: National Championship Game Practice 7 • Bama Sports Report
The Alabama football team worked out in the brisk cold of Tuscaloosa on Monday afternoon. The practice was in shells, though the team was in sweat pants rather than the customary shorts.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/30 - Javier Arenas 

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/30 - Mark Barron

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/30 - Nick Saban

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/30 - Earl Alexander

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/30 - Greg McElroy 

• Chase Goodbread: Good Tidings • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Wednesday practice update Wednesday practice update
The latest from the practice field as Alabama finishes on-campus preparations for the BCS National Championship game. 

• Nick Saban Press Conferences • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/30 – Post-practice press conference 12/30 – Post-practice press conference
Coach Nick Saban speaks with media after practice, Wednesday. 

• Larry Burton: Conference Pride Brings Out Guilt In Rooting For an Old Foe • Bleacher Report
What's a guy to do? You spend 364 days a year wishing all kinds of bad karma on your conference foes and then they have their bowl game.

• Notebook: Tide passing game more than just Jones • BamaOnLine
Marquis Maze and Colin Peek have stepped up in the passing game, Greg McElroy is disappointed about what happened at Texas Tech and Brandon Deaderick wasn't 100 percent until midseason. 

• Coach Nick Saban Press Conference Transcript • RollTide.com
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban met with the media on Wednesday and here are some of his comments.

• Football Team Works Indoors • RollTide.com
The Alabama football team worked for two hours in full pads Wednesday afternoon, wrapping up its fourth practice of the week and ninth overall in preparation for the BCS National Championship Game ... 

• Wednesday practice report • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
In Alabama's five practices last week, the focus was on sharpening the fundamentals after a two-week layoff. This week, the emphasis shifted towards preparing for the Texas Longhorns. 

• VIDEO: Arenas, McElroy, Alexander & Barron • BamaOnLine
Following Wednesday's practice, Javier Arenas, Greg McElroy, Earl Alexander and Mark Barron spoke with reporters.

• VIDEO: Saban's Wednesday news conference • BamaOnLine
Alabama coach Nick Saban addressed the media following Wednesday's practice.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
TSE Sneak Peek: Antonio Langham

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/30 - Practice 

• Video Blog • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Antonio Langham Part II Antonio Langham Part II
In the second of a three-part video series, Langham talks about the 1992 season and getting drafted by Bill Belichick and Nick Saban of the Browns. 

• Dennis Pillion: Get the full BCS Championship experience with al.com • al.com
Just eight days from now, the Alabama Crimson Tide football team will play for a national championship for the first time in the BCS Era and the Internet Era, and we here at al.com plan on rising to the occasion and giving Tide fans the best coverage on the Internet. I'll be in Pasadena beginning January 1 (when the...

• SEC Lands 11 In NFL Pro Bowl • SEC Sports
11 Former SEC Players Have Been Named To The NFL Pro Bowl, Including Former Alabama Star DeMeco Ryans. 

• UA Wednesday Top 10 • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
ORLANDO, Fla. - Who was the best of the best Wednesday at the first Under Armour All-America game practice? Find out right here. 

• Practice Report: Burns making sure running backs stay sharp • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Just because he’s helped produce a Heisman Trophy winner doesn’t mean Burton Burns is ready to rest on his coaching laurels. 

• VIDEO: Tide running backs getting ready for Texas • BamaOnLine
Led by Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, the Alabama running game will look to impose its will on Texas' top-ranked rush defense.

• INSTANT ANALYSIS: Wednesday • BamaOnLine
A cold rain pushed the Crimson Tide indoors for Wednesday's practice. Check inside as Travis Reier provides an update from Tuscaloosa! 

• TideSportsExtra Features • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Dec. 30 TSE Roundtable Dec. 30 TSE Roundtable
Rachel, Chase, and Tommy discuss a number of items on the latest edition of the Roundtable, the final one in studio before heading to Pasadena. 

• Don Kausler Jr.: More from Saban on special admissions: 'The question I would ask is do we all do enough?' • The Birmingham News
"Land grant schools are supposed to educate all the people," Alabama coach says.

• Gentry Estes: Alabama commits and targets working at high school All-Star games • The Press Register
Check out a rundown of where Alabama commitments and targeting prospects will be showcasing talent in the coming days.

• Gentry Estes: UA's Scott Cochran is telling you to get vaccinated -- 'Yeah, yeah, yeah, YEAH!' • The Press Register
To get someone's attention, Alabama's exciteable strength coach was a perfect choice for television ads addressing the H1N1 flu.

• Gentry Estes: Vote on your favorite moment (so far) of Alabama's 2009 football season • The Press Register
There were plenty of high points for Crimson Tide football in 2009. What do you consider to be the most memorable?

• University of Alabama athletes among nation's top beneficiaries of special admissions, records review finds • al.com
Alabama coach Nick Saban offers no apologies

• Baldwin County could lose BCS championship game broadcast over payment dispute • The Press Register
Mediacom cable subscribers appear to be one step closer to losing WEAR-TV3 programming, potentially including the BCS National Championship Game.

• SEC All-Decade Team 2001-2009: Defense • College Football News
It's been a memorable decade of football in the Southeastern Conference, and as it comes to a close let's look back and remember the players who made the nation stand up and take notice. 

• Walter Kirkwood: No Time To Mess Around For Alabama • Bleacher Report
While coaches around the country use the 15 bowl preparation practices for position change experiments and to take a little time to peek at next years lineups, Alabama and Texas must keep their noses to the grindstone...

• Under Armour All-America Game Blog • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Scout.com is live all week in Orlando at the Under Armour All-America Game. Check back for updates from practice and much more 

• The Win That Changed Everything • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
I would say the last time we were “there” was the fourth quarter of the 1994 SEC Championship Game. That was the last time we could say, with a straight face, that we were a national elite college football program. We had won the national title convincingly two seasons before. We had just finished an 11-0 season and we had a very good Florida team on the ropes with just minutes to play. We came up a tad short. 

• Under Armour Notebook • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
The Alabama commits participating in this Saturday's Under Armour game excelled in their first day of practice on Wednesday. In this premium notebook, check out how they performed with observations from Rivals.com recruiting experts.

• Live Under Armour Updates • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
The Tide has several committed prospects working in this week's Under Armour All-Star practices, and the Rivals.com staff is on hand to provide live updates.

• Under Armour Game - Update Headquarters • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Looking for all of your Under Armour game practice coverage and information? Alfy Hill, Adrian Hubbard, Phillip Sims, Demarcus Milliner, John Fulton, and many more Alabama targets are featured here. 

• Under Armour Game - Update Headquarters • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Chad Lindsay versus Taylor Bible? 

• Bama in the NBA December 29th Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Prep star turns ‘sideline’ into a scholarship offer • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The choice between playing football for the University of Alabama or for a small school with a small stadium and a smaller following would have been as easy for Cade Foster as just about anyone else.

• TSU's style similar to Tide • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama men's basketball team will wrap up the home portion of its non-conference schedule tonight, hosting the Tennessee State Tigers at Coleman Coliseum.

• Bama hosting struggling USM • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama women's basketball team returns from a nine-day Christmas break to take the court against a struggling Southern Miss squad that has dropped seven of its past eight games, with the lone victory coming against Alcorn State.

• Reamer: Alabama nation a 'prideful place' • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The number of Alabama natives on the University of Alabama roster isn't as big as it once was, and those who grew up die-hard Alabama fans is even a bit smaller.

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting Q&A • Tuscaloosa News
The nation's best: Do we land Gabe king or is oregon the team to beat?? Also who is better? 5* Phillip Sims, AJ McCarron, or Star Jackson??

• A BIGFINISH • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - The two-time All-American, potential NFL star and the player currently keeping Texas coaches up at night shuffled through the Alabama football complex Monday wearing shorts with cartoon images of Superman. 

• Don Kausler Jr.: Former Tarrant star Marquis Maze has emerged as a playmaker for Tide • The Birmingham News
Redshirt sophomore has 30 catches for 519 yards and leads Alabama with an average of 17.3 yards per catch.

• Gentry Estes: Legend of Alabama Crimson Tide's Terrence Cody growing into super-hero status • The Press Register
The two-time All-American, potential NFL star and the player currently keeping Texas coaches up at night shuffled through the Alabama football complex Monday wearing shorts with cartoon images of Superman. 

• Rogers relishes time with Tide • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- It may not have turned out like he envisioned, but Chris Rogers isn't complaining. The Alabama senior, who grew up in Montgomery before moving to Lakeland, Fla., after the eighth grade, was a prized recruit when he signed in 2005.

• Mount Cody’s big value • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — Twenty-five tackles, three quarterback hurries and zero …

• Alabama vs. Texas: Cheerleader Showdown • Bleacher Report
We are almost a week away from the BCS National Championship game between Alabama and Texas, and I couldn't be more excited.

• Foster welcomes the pressure • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Placekicker can be one of the most pressure-packed positions in all of sports. But Tide commitment Cade Foster wouldn't have it any other way. 

• Under Armour: Chris Dunkley interview • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Chris Dunkley, Scout.com five-star wide receiver from Pahokee, Fla., will announce his college decision this Saturday at the Under Armour All-America game. He has trimmed his list to three schools, and surprisingly did not give the long-time favorite Florida Gators the lead.

• 2010 UA Photo Gallery • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Take a look at some of the top prospects as they arrived on Tuesday…

• O-D Live Updates • 'BamaMag
Stay tuned to Scout.com all day for live updates from the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl practice

• Tide Basketball Has Doubleheader • 'BamaMag
Women host Southern Miss at 5, followed by men vs. Tennessee State

• 12 Days of Champions: 1941 • BamaOnLine
One of the most controversial championships in Alabama history was 1941, when the Tide didn't win the conference title but shared No. 1 honors due to a mathematical formula.

• Hoops Preview: Alabama vs. Tennessee State • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
The Tide looks to close out 2009 with a win over struggling Tennessee State. Find out the keys to victory in tonight's game inside our Hoops Preview... 

• Defensive Targets • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
While Alabama's remaining offensive targets for the class of 2010 are somewhat clear-cut, the defensive side of the ball still contains a number of wildcards.

• Tide players balancing simplistic mindset with championship aspirations • Crimson Confidential
Just play your best football. 

• IN FOCUS - Damian Swann • Crimson Confidential
If you have not yet heard about 2011 standout Damian Swann, prepare yourself because this is a player that will soon have all Alabama recruiting fans talking. 

• Gentry Estes: Tide holds final on-campus practice ... next stop California • The Press Register
Alabama's team finally heads out tomorrow for the BCS national game, and Newport Beach is ready.

• Alabama QB commit Phillip Sims wins skills competition at All-America Game • The Press Register
Sims (6-foot-1, 218 pounds) beat out, among others, Washington commit Nick Montana -- the son of Hall-of-Famer Joe Montana, who was watching the competition.

• Back to where it really all began: Pasadena • BamaOnLine
Among schools not from the affiliated Big Ten or Pac-10, Alabama has made the most appearances in the Rose Bowl, where the Tide became an elite college football program

• Practice Whispers - National Championship Game • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
CC's Pritchard Allen is back again with practice whispers after speaking with some Tide players about the upcoming matchup with Texas.

• Alabama Holds Final On-Campus Practice • RollTide.com
The Alabama football team wrapped up the on-campus portion of its bowl preparation with a two-hour practice in shells Thursday afternoon inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. 

• Jumbo Tide commits stand out • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
It was a day for the big men to shine out of the Alabama pledges working in Orlando this week for the Under Armour All-Star practices. Check inside for Rivals.com Recruiting Analyst Jamie Newberg's impressions of prospects such as Adrian Hubbard and Brian Vogler.

• TideSportsExtra Features • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
The Line: Tony Barnhart The Line: Tony Barnhart
On the latest edition of The Line, Rachel speaks with college football writer, author and media personality Tony Barnhart.

• Lawerence F. Specker: 11th-hour deal should allow BCS championship to be viewed on Mediacom • al.com
The truce under discussion wouldn't resolve the dispute, but would mean Mediacom subscribers wouldn't have to make other arrangements to view Friday's Capital One Bowl or the Jan. 7 BCS championship game pitting Texas against Alabama.

• Doug Segrest: SEC predictions: Bowl season part II • The Birmingham News
We're ready for a New Year and a new rush of SEC bowl games. My picks follow. Give me your input and prove, again, why our readers are the most knowledgeable college football fans around. OUTBACK BOWL (Auburn vs. Northwestern) Auburn is favored by 4.5 points. Auburn arrives in Tampa rested and recharged, with the chance to prove that...

• Jonathan Fravel: Final Countdown To Pasadena: Saban Pleased With Practices. • Bleacher Report
The University of Alabama football team has one more practice before the break for New Year's. The players will regroup on Friday and travel to Pasadena as a team, boarding the university's corporate jet for the journey...

• UA Interview: Johnavon Fulton • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
John Fulton, Scout.com four-star cornerback from Manning, S.C., will announce his college decision Saturday at the Under Armour game in Orlando. Fulton's list has been trimmed to Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. He talked about the upcoming game and decision. 

• All-star analysis: Wednesday at UA • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barton Simmons breaks down some of the standouts from the first day of practices for the Under Armour All-American Game. Among the stars - Alabama commits Alfy Hill and Adrian Hubbard.

• Under Armour Practices - Day 2 • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Alabama's targets and commitments have been showcasing their skills this morning in practice. Join Crimson Confidential's Will Matthews as he provides updates for subscribers.

• Men's Basketball:
Wednesday Night: Alabama 77, Tennessee State 65

• Women's Basketball:
Wednesday Night: Alabama Alabama 87, Southern Miss 61

• Bama in the NBA December 30th Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Men's Basketball Beats Tennessee State, 77-65 • RollTide.com
Sophomore forward JaMychal Green scored a game-high 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds while junior guard Senario Hillman added 15 points and six assists to lead the Alabama men's basketball ...

• Women's Basketball Beats Southern Mississippi, 87-61 • RollTide.com
Junior guard Varisia Raffington scored 21 points while senior center Courtney Strauthers added a career-high 15 points to lead the Alabama women's basketball team to a 87-61 win over Southern Missi... 

• Tight end Colin Peek has come up big in clutch • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Colin Peek is the first to admit his senior season won't be complete without achieving a national championship with a win against Texas in Pasadena, Calif., next week.

• Saban, McElroy react to firing of Texas Tech’s Leach • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | With a national championship game just a week away, the soap opera that has ended in the firing of Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is about the last thing University of Alabama players and coaches have time for. Leach is alleged to have mistreated a concussed player (Adam James), and was fired Wednesday amid the controversy.

• Joe Kines retires • Tuscaloosa News
COLLEGE STATION, Texas | Texas A&M defensive coordinator Joe Kines is retiring, concluding a coaching career that spans four decades.

• Shorthanded Tide beats Tenn. State • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The Alabama men’s basketball team was even more short-handed than usual on Wednesday night — but managed to wear down the Tennessee State Tigers anyway.

• Alabama routs Southern Miss, building confidence for SEC • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Riding a solid offensive performance and dominant post play, the University of Alabama women’s basketball team routed the Southern Mississippi Lady Eagles 87-61 Wednesday night in its final non-conference game before beginning Southeastern Conference play.

• Tide starts slow, finishes strong • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | After a sluggish first half on Tuesday night, coach Mark Gottfried told his University of Alabama basketball players he wanted more intensity.

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting Q&A part ll • Tuscaloosa News
Young Lombardi: What are the chances we land A.Dixon?

• Rachel Baribeau Blog • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/30 – Player Bites 12/30 – Player Bites
Rachel speaks with Greg McElroy, Earl Alexander, and Javier Arenas. 

• Ray Melick: For football coaches, no simple way to define abuse • The Birmingham News
There is no excuse for abusive coaches. Hopefully, we can all agree on that. 

• Just one week to go: Is Alabama ready? • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - The day after winning the SEC Championship game, Alabama coach Nick Saban stood before his team with a marker and drew a line on a board. 

• Jon Solomon: Torretta criticizes SEC officials as 'worst' in football • The Birmingham News
Former Heisman winner thinks Big East has best officials

• Don Kausler Jr.: As Tide aims to finish perfect season, snapper Selman aims to finish perfect career • The Birmingham News
One of many snappers produced by Vestavia Hills High School has connected on 389 snaps without a miss in four seasons as an Alabama walk-on.

• Don Kausler Jr.: Hot corner: Bowl season is just too long • The Birmingham News
In what has become a post-postseason, there are nine games after New Year's Day. 

• Mike Herndon: Lack of coaches doesn't mean there's no recruiting at Under Armour all-star game • The Press Register
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Major-college football coaches cannot attend all-star games such as this week's Under Armour All-America High School Football Game, but that doesn't mean there aren't recruiting pitches being made in Orlando this week.

• Gentry Estes: Crimson Tide looks good as trip for BCS national title game nears • The Press Register
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The day after winning the SEC championship game, Alabama coach Nick Saban stood before his team with a marker and drew a line on a board. He told players: "There's 32 days until we play in the national championship game. And how every one of you guys manage that is going to determine how well you play."

• Gentry Estes: News and notes: Tide's Greg McElroy 'upset' about situation at Texas Tech • The Press Register
Alabama's quarterback, a long-time fan and former Texas Tech commit, calls it "really disappointing" that a scandal has resulted in Mike Leach losing his job with the Red Raiders.

• SEC Ladies' Hoops: 12/30/09 • SEC Sports
Check Out the Results From Wednesday's Full Night of SEC Women's Basketball Action! 

• Men's Hoops Roundup: 12/30/09 • SEC Sports
Men's Basketball Results for December 30, 2009

• Top 10 local sports stories in 2009 • Montgomery Advertiser
1. Alabama football wins SEC Championship and advances to BCS title game: The Crimson Tide finished unbeaten for the second straight regular season and earned the school's 22nd SEC Championship with a 32-13 win over Florida on Dec. 5 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Alabama plays Texas on Jan. 

• BCS title game: Tide all business this trip • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama will hold its final practice of 2009 today before boarding two charter jets in Birmingham on Friday morning to leave for the West Coast and a BCS National Championship Game showdown with second-ranked Texas on Jan. 7.

• ALABAMA BASKETBALL: Crimson Tide sluggish in win over Tennessee State • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- It was $5 night at Coleman Coliseum.

• Maze made Tide fans notice • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — Marquis Maze heard plenty of it. His fellow Alabama receivers …

• Alabama hoping to avoid repeat of Sugar Bowl fiasco • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — Alabama’s national championship dreams were crushed, and only a matchup with an unbeaten team from a more lightly regarded conference awaited. The current scenario is … 

• Alabama majorette talks viewing jinx • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
For Alabama’s sake, maybe Jill Higginbotham shouldn’t watch too much of the BCS National Championship Game. The Crimson Tide seems to play better when she’s not in the stands. “Last … 

• Alabama Notes • Decatur Daily
TUSCALOOSA — No matter how much it’s discouraged by the coach, a few Alabama football players said it is impossible to ignore what’s on the line when the Tide meets Texas on … 

• Texas receivers are big and physical • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Texas has five receivers with more than 30 catches. Top man Jordan Shipley (6-0, 190) has 106 for 1,363 yards and 11 touchdowns. James Kirkendoll (5-11, 175) has 48 for 461 yards and six touchdowns. Dan Buckner (6-4, 213) has 41 for 445 yards and four touchdowns. Malcolm Williams (6-3, 218) has 38 for 546 yards and two touchdowns. John Chiles (6-2, 215) has 34 for 319 yards and three touchdowns. A sixth receiver, speedy freshman Marquise Goodwin (5-9, 170), has 27 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown. 

• West Coast Will Be New To Arenas • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Javier Arenas has never been on the West Coast, and knows that it is different from Florida and the Southeast. But there’s one part of the Los Angeles area that doesn’t intrigue him. 

• UA Interview: Phillip Sims • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama commitment talks practice and National Championship.

• UA Story Index • 'BamaMag
Stay tuned to Scout.com for live updates from the UnderArmour All-America Game practices.

• Under Armour All-America Practice Blog: DAY 2 • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Live Updates from UA All-America Game Practice DAY 2

• Alabama Women Get Easy Win • 'BamaMag
The Alabama women’s basketball team of Coach Wendell Hudson ran its record to 8-5 with an 87-61 win over Southern Miss (4-8) in Coleman Coliseum Wednesday, a preliminary game to the Crimson Tide men’s game.

• Tide Has Business In California • 'BamaMag
California, here they come. Alabama will have one more practice in Tuscaloosa, a workout in shells (helmets, shoulder pads, hip pads) Thursday, and then it’s time to get ready for business. The business, of course, is the national championship game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena against Texas on January 7.

• Under Armour: Nitro Team Wednesday stars • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Tide quarterback commit Phillip Sims was among the early standouts during Wednesday's Under Armour All-Star practice. Check inside for a list of top performers from Wednesday that includes Sims as well as Tide target John Fulton. 

• Dunkley to pick between three • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Chris Dunkley will finally go public with his decision this Saturday. Dunkley, a standout wide receiver from Pahokee, Fla., is playing in the Under Armour All-America Game on Saturday, says he will announce his decision between a trio of schools that includes Alabama.

• Tide sweeps another doubleheader • BamaOnLine
With sophomore forward JaMychal Green scoring 14 of his 19 points in the second half, to go with five blocks, Alabama pulled away late to beat Tennessee State 77-64 as Tide basketball swept a home doubleheader. 

• 12 Days of Champions: 1961 • BamaOnLine
When Paul W. "Bear" Bryant was hired in 1958, he told both the incoming recruits and the holdovers from the previous teams - well, those who survived his brutal offseason-conditioning program - that if they weren't there to win a national championship, they were in the wrong place.

• Cerebral Peek proving to have hot hand of late • Crimson Confidential
A reporter kind of egged on Greg McElroy Wednesday night to see if he’d bite on teammate Colin Peek sort of alluding recently that he – Peek – might be the smartest player on the team.

• Tide back to looking like old self after sluggish return from break • Crimson Confidential
Nick Saban put the onus on each and every one of his players weeks ago.

• The Latest - John Fulton • Crimson Confidential
Could Under Armour All-American John Fulton be hinting at a decision? Senior Recruiting Analyst Will Matthews brings you the...

• Practice Report: National Championship Game Practice Number 9 • Bama Sports Report
On Wednesday afternoon the Alabama football team held its ninth practice for the BCS Championship Game. Due to rain in Tuscaloosa, the team worked inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. The full pads practice was the penultimate one in Tuscaloosa, and the final one that will have a media viewing period.