The Battle Plan
11/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | General
High Drama in Death Valley
Is regular season college football spectacular or what! Every weekend brings more big games around the country that fans anticipate and discuss all week. They passionately watch games and replays all weekend. They analyze those games in minute detail afterward, so they can discuss them with both friends and foes during the next week.
There is great passion among college football fans. We see every week on TV so many close games, so many big plays, so many great performances by student-athletes, and so many great calls by coaches. And - to add to the aura of college football - marching bands, cheerleaders, majorettes, mascots, and the antics of students attract fans of all ages and interests. The BCS started this fire blazing years ago and the College Football Playoff has added more fuel to the fire. If we're not all worn out by January 12th and the National Championship Game, I think we'll look back at this season as the best in college football history.
Coach Saban and our team have put the LSU game out of their minds to focus on our upcoming game with Mississippi State. I can't let it go yet and need to reflect back one last time - so, if you have any eligibility left, don't read the rest of this section.
Last Saturday night was a magical night in Baton Rouge. Two great universities, two great teams, two great fan bases all faced off in what turned out to be most likely the most watched TV game in the country so far this season. It was like a heavyweight fight that was so tough and so close it had to go an extra round before a winner could be declared. In games like that it's too bad anyone has to lose. But, against all odds, the Alabama defense held the Tigers to a field goal with 50 seconds remaining. The Alabama offense rose to the occasion and drove down to kick a field goal that sent the game into overtime. Common wisdom dictates that the advantage in overtime is to win the coin toss and go on defense. LSU won the toss and made that choice. That allowed us to choose the end of the field in front of our band, cheerleaders, fans, and (of course) Big Al. Momentum, which is a very fickle lady to turn, had swung to our side with the 50-second drive and successful field goal. Reuben Foster added a huge boost to our momentum swing when he blasted the LSU player returning the kick off on the last play of regulation.
During the game, Tiger Stadium was as loud as anywhere I've ever been, especially in the second half as the Tigers played so well. But, when the fourth quarter ended and momentum turned, the overtime period was like playing at home in front of our band and fans! Our fans were outstanding in cheering our team on, even though outnumbered more than ten to one.
Congratulations are in order to LSU - its team, coaches and fans - for a brilliant football game. But special praise is in order for our team, coaches, and fans - especially to the players for their perseverance and courage to make the plays necessary to win the game. It was definitely one of the best wins that I have ever been associated with, and I'm thankful to be a part of this great University at this special time.
Now, on to this week, which will be one of the most exciting of the year. ESPN Gameday is coming to Tuscaloosa on Saturday. Number-one ranked Mississippi State is bringing its undefeated team to Bryant-Denny Stadium. They have had an incredible season to date and come in with confidence having played very well all season on both sides of the ball. They bring a very different look than LSU, especially on offense with their Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback leading their spread offense. We have our work cut out for us but, as I've said many times this year, I like this team. They have something special about them and I am excited to see how this game plays out. It will be great to be back in Bryant-Denny Stadium in front of our fans. We need your vocal support to keep our team energized in the biggest game of the year. Be sportsmanlike, but be loud and be proud. And don't forget to check out the other great contests and activities during the weekend that are described below.
Fall Sports Update
Here are brief updates on our fall sports teams. You can follow the links provided to read more in-depth information about these teams.
- Our VOLLEYBALL team stands 20-6 overall and 8-4 in the SEC after splitting two matches last week, taking a loss at No. 7 Florida (recap here) on Friday night and winning a tough match at South Carolina (recap here) last Sunday afternoon. The Crimson Tide enters this weekend's action in fourth place in the league standings. The Tide is 9-1 in home matches this season at Foster Auditorium and will host Georgia this Sunday afternoon.
- Coach Anthony Grant's MEN'S BASKETBALL team won its exhibition game on Monday night over Montevallo, 81-67, on Monday evening (recap here) at Coleman Coliseum. The Crimson Tide shot 50 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range in the game, and every Alabama player that played scored a bucket with Levi Randolph leading the way with 22 point. The Tide begins regular season play at home against Towson this Friday in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic. The game tips off at 8 p.m. and can be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network.
- Coach Kristy Curry's WOMEN'S BASKETBALL team outscored North Alabama, 50-17, in the second half to take an 80-48 victory in an exhibition game last Sunday afternoon (recap here) in Foster Auditorium. Ashley Williams produced a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds and was joined three other players in double figures. The Crimson Tide begins the regular season this Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT against Florida A&M. The game will be played at Coleman Coliseum and is the front end of a doubleheader with the men's basketball team.
Upcoming Events
If you are coming to campus for our football game with Mississippi State, here's a summary of athletics events over the next several days (times listed are for the location of the event):
Friday, November 14
| Time | Sport | Opponent/Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m. ET | Cross Country | NCAA South Region Championships | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| 5:30 p.m. CT | Women's Basketball | Florida A&M | Coleman Coliseum |
| 8 p.m. CT | Men's Basketball | Towson | Coleman Coliseum |
Saturday, November 15
| Time | Sport | Opponent/Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:30 p.m. CT | Football | Mississippi State | Bryant-Denny Stadium |
Sunday, November 16
| Time | Sport | Opponent/Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 p.m. CT | Volleyball | Georgia | Foster Auditorium |
| 7 p.m. CT | Women's Basketball | Duke | Foster Auditorium |
Monday, November 17
| Time | Sport | Opponent/Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 p.m. CT | Men's Basketball | Western Carolina | Coleman Coliseum |
Tuesday, November 18
| Time | Sport | Opponent/Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 p.m. CT | Women's Basketball | Jacksonville State | Foster Auditorium |
Basketball season officially begins this week as we host a doubleheader on Friday evening at Coleman Coliseum with our women's team playing at 5:30 p.m. and the men's team playing at 8 p.m. Sunday features two big events at Foster Auditorium - a key volleyball game with Georgia at 1 p.m. followed by our women's basketball team's game against highly-ranked Duke at 7 p.m.
Catch Alabama Athletics on The SEC Network
Here's a summary of our athletic events to be televised this weekend on The SEC Network. Read this schedule closely as some events can be seen via SEC Network +, which is available online via ESPN3 here.
(All times listed are Central Time)
Friday, November 14
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 p.m. | Women's Basketball vs. Florida A&M | SEC Network + |
| 8 p.m. | Men's Basketball vs. Towson | SEC Network + |
Sunday, November 16
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 1 p.m. | Volleyball vs. Georgia | SEC Network + |
| 7 p.m. | Women's Basketball vs. Duke | SEC Network |
Monday, November 17
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 a.m. | REPLAY: Football vs. Mississippi State | SEC Network |
| 12 p.m. | Football - Nick Saban Press Conference | SEC Network + |
| 8 p.m. | Men's Basketball vs. Western Carolina | SEC Network |
Tuesday, November 18
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 4:30 a.m. | REPLAY: Football vs. Mississippi State | SEC Network |
| 6 p.m. | Women's Basketball vs. Jacksonville State | SEC Network + |
Our teams need your support, so please plan to attend to do your part! A rising tide lifts all boats and it's up to all of us to Keep the Tide Rising!
