Bama in the News

December 15 - 21, 2009

• Men's Basketball Welcomes Samford to Coleman Coliseum • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama men's basketball team wraps up its four game homestand on Wednesday evening when it welcomes in-state foe Samford to Coleman Coliseum for a 7 p.m. tipoff.

• Women's Basketball Continues Road Swing at Florida A&M on Wednesday • RollTide.com
The women's basketball team continues its road trip to the Sunshine State Wednesday when it takes on Florida A&M at the Alfred Lawson Center at 5:00 p.m. (CST).

• Six Alabama Players Named to AP First-Team All-American Team • RollTide.com
The Alabama football team had six players named to the 2009 Associated Press First-Team All-American Team it was announced Tuesday, with sophomore running back and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram... 

• Rachel Baribeau Blog • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Great Expectations Great Expectations
But what you may not have known, up until Saturday night, is how refreshing of a young man Mark Ingram really is. 

• Gentry Estes: UA freshman Dre Kirkpatrick: 'Next year is going to be my time' • The Press Register
Check in with the Tide's touted cornerback prospect, who has dealt with injuries this year and is biding time on special teams while awaiting an opportunity next season. 

• Don Kausler Jr.: Yes, six first-team AP All-Americans from one school is a record • The Birmingham News
Oklahoma twice had five first-team All-Americans.

• Gentry Estes: ESPN nets largest ever Heisman audience for Mark Ingram's win • The Press Register
Nearly 6 million people watched Ingram win Alabama's first Heisman Trophy, according to figures released by ESPN

• Jon Solomon: Closest Heisman vote = Most-watched Heisman telecast • The Birmingham News
Birmingham is top market in country

• Damon Young: It's Been a Long Time Coming • al.com
It's been a whirlwind 10 days for the Alabama Crimson Tide. The whipping of Florida for the SEC crown, an appearance by Dick Butkus in Tuscaloosa, the filling of the Heisman void, and now 6 Tide players are AP All-Americans.

• Tide Places 3rd In NCAA Championships • SEC Sports
Alabama captured its highest cross country finish in school history, claiming third at the NCAA Championships. 

• South Carolina junior will be a top DL target • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
John Fulton isn't the only Manning, SC blue-chipper the Crimson Tide staff is pursuing. Alabama is also highly interested in Manning junior defensive lineman Phillip Dukes. The 6-3, 280-pound Dukes has picked up several early offers, including ones from... 

• Homer Smith Still Going Strong • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Former Bama offensive coordinator continues to stay close to football

• Pete Fiutak: Cavalcade of Whimsy - Why Texas Will Win • College Football News
From Nick Saban as a favorite, to No. 1 vs. No. 2, to the Heisman factor, to Colt McCoy in bowl games, here are Ten Reasons Why Texas Will Win The BCS Championship. (Next week will be Ten Reasons Why Alabama Will Win The BCS Championship).

• A places six on AP All-America team • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Six University of Alabama players were chosen to the Associated Press All-America team, which was announced Tuesday, for the highest total of any school in the nation.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Fan Scrapbook: Album 3

• Ingram enjoying the Heisman hype • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
For two days, Mark Ingram has been going at a breakneck pace, even by the whirlwind standards of The City That Never Sleeps.

• Web Warehouse • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/15: Bama gets 6 AP All-Americans 12/15: Bama gets 6 AP All-Americans
Alabama had six players named to the AP All-American first team Tuesday, more than any other team in the nation. 

• Gentry Estes: Tide's Ingram and McClain are unanimous All-Americans as a school-record six make AP team • The Press Register
Mark Ingram and Rolando McClain become "unanimous" All-American selections, making all five recognized teams. Offensive lineman Mike Johnson and nose tackle Terrence Cody are "consensus" choices, and three more Tide players are recognized.

• Don Kausler Jr.: Alabama has a school-record six first-team AP All-Americans • The Birmingham News
Javier Arenas, Terrence Cody, Mike Johnson, Mark Ingram, Rolando McClain and Leigh Tiffin earn the recognition.

• Kimberly Nash: Christmas Presents for Every SEC Team from the CFB Santa • Bleacher Report
Has your team been naughty or nice this year?

• Baby Tate: College Football: Baby's Losers Of The 2009 Season Bowls • Bleacher Report
The college football bowls function as a reward for the players, schools, students, and fans. The bowl season is rich in history and provides an entertaining comparison of various conference performances..

• Alabama Crimson Tide: Inside Slant • 'BamaMag
Alabama has put together a 13-0 season that includes the championship of the Southeastern Conference. Now the Crimson Tide is in the BCS Championship Game against Texas in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on January 7. The Sports Xchange takes a look at the Crimson Tide. 

• King Claims Tide Offer • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Taurice King sets January official visits with Mississippi State and Alabama.

• Scout.com Freshman All-America Team • 'BamaMag
This year's Scout.com Freshman All-America Team given to the nation's top redshirt and true freshmen

• Coach Spotlight: Keenan Allen • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Coach John Roscoe talks of five-star athlete.

• Video Feature: Mosley talks All-Star game, UA • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Tide linebacker target C.J. Mosley had an extremely impressive week of practice at the AL-MS All-Star Classic. Mosley, who will make his college decision on January 9, talks about his experience and his recruitment in this video feature.

• More evidence that '09 Bama is something special • Crimson Confidential   (Subscribers Only)
Just how good has this Alabama team been? 

• Possible non qualifier for 2010? • Crimson Confidential
Jacob Self talks about one 2010 class member who may not be able to make it to Alabama in January after all. 

• Bama in the NFL Week 14 Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Dispite size, UA prospect Corey Grant can do it all • Tuscaloosa News
MOBILE | Like any smallish running back, Corey Grant has always been subject to questions of durability and toughness. 

• Lewis finishes EMCC; ready to enroll at UA • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | After a wait of nearly two years, Brandon Lewis is bound for the University of Alabama. The wait for his teammate Devonta Bolton, however, will apparently continue.

• Crimson Tide picks up first road win of the season against UCF • Tuscaloosa News
ORLANDO, Fla. | The University of Alabama women's basketball team picked up its first road win of the season with a 64-62 victory against UCF on Monday night in the UCF Arena.

• Paul Finebaum: Auburn has come a long way, but hasn't caught up to Alabama • The Press Register
A year later, after exceeding expectations with a 7-5 season, landing in New Year's Day bowl game and seemingly off to a fast start on the recruiting trail, is Auburn better off today than a year ago?

• Don Kausler Jr.: McElwain out of the picture at San Jose State? • The Birmingham News
Washington QB coach Doug Nussmeier also reportedly has turned down the opportunity. 

• Women's Hoops Report -- Dec. 14 • SEC Sports
Two women's basketball contests saw SEC schools pick up victories, as Alabama defeated UCF 64-62, while Mississippi State powered through Samford 80-41.

• Ingram makes rounds in New York; says he's proud to be Crimson Tide's first Heisman winner • Montgomery Advertiser
NEW YORK -- Mark Ingram says he's proud to have filled a void for the Alabama football program by winning the school's first Heisman Trophy.

• Walter Kirkwood: Mark Ingram's Heisman Overshadowing Rolando McLain's Amazing Year • Bleacher Report
In a year in which Alabama returned to championship form and Mark Ingram became Alabama's first Heisman winner, the staggering accomplishments of Rolando McClain may have been overshadowed.

• Junior OL talks Tide offer • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"On Friday, I was in Spanish class and my coach called me and asked if I was ready to commit to Alabama. I told him they hadn't even offered yet. But he put me on the phone with Coach Pendry and Coach Saban and they told me I had an offer..." 

• Elite junior back impressed with UA • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Madison (San Antonio) athlete Aaron Green may be the top running back in the country for the class of 2011, and after watching Saturday's Heisman Trophy presentation, the 5-foot-11, 186-pounder has a new-found appreciation for the Crimson Tide.

• Photo Gallery: Keenan Allen and John Fulton • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
The annual Shrine Bowl brings together some of the top prep talent out of the Carolinas, and this year one of Alabama's most coveted commits, five-star Keenan Allen, and targets, Rivals100 star John ...

• McCoy turns focus to BCS title game after Ingram wins Heisman • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Colt McCoy referenced the over-arching importance of winning the 2009 BCS national championship game no fewer than five times Saturday following his runner-up finish (editor's note: actually third-place finish) at the Heisman Trophy ceremonies. Following a week on the awards banquet tour, college football's winngest QB now turns his attention to the award that matters most.

• Four Former Tide Greats to be Inducted into ASHOF • RollTide.com
Four former University Alabama standouts are among the nine-member Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2010, the AHSOF announced Wednesday afternoon. The Crimson Tide's most recent inductees inclu...

• Ross Wilson, Jake Smith Named Preseason All-Americans • RollTide.com
Alabama junior second baseman Ross Wilson and senior third baseman Jake Smith were named to the 2010 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Preseason All-American Team, the NCBWA ...

• Crimson Tide Trio Named to Sporting News Freshman All-SEC Team • RollTide.com
Alabama freshmen Barrett Jones, Trent Richardson and Nico Johnson were named to the 2009 Sporting News Freshman All-Southeastern Football Team, the long-time sports publication announced Wednesday. 

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/16 The Cecil Hurt Show
Here is an excerpt from today's Cecil Hurt Show now playing on TideSportsExtra.com.

• Cecil Hurt Blog and Columns • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Dec. 16 Cecil Hurt Show Dec. 16 Cecil Hurt Show
Cecil discusses his experience in New York City and Mark Ingram becoming the first Heisman Trophy winner in Alabama history.

• Andrew Bone Recruiting Report • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Video: AL-Miss. All-Stars Part II Video: AL-Miss. All-Stars Part II
Andrew talks with Alabama commitments Corey Grant and Nick Perry in Mobile following the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game

• Don Kausler Jr.:  Tide trio named to Sporting News Freshman All-SEC team • The Birmingham News
Barrett Jones, Trent Richardson and Nico Johnson are recognized.

• Gentry Estes: Coaching carousel update: San Jose State reportedly taps Duke assistant • The Press Register
San Jose State has a new hire in line, while rumors continue to swarm around Georgia's defensive coordinator search.

• Jeff Dillion: Colt McCoy's Heisman Loss Is More Fuel for Disrespected Longhorns • Bleacher Report
Be honest. You had to feel for Colt McCoy, if only a little.

• Walter Kirkwood:  Alabama Fans Pushing the Boundaries in Birmingham Court Case • Bleacher Report
It's difficult to explain to those outside of the South of the deep running passion for college football down here. To do that, a little history lesson is required. About 150 years ago they had this little spat called "The Civil War...

• Two Tiders Earn All-America Notice • 'BamaMag 
Most of the attention these days insofar as All-America recognition is on football. Both college and high school All-America teams are being announced and Crimson Tide players and Alabama players-to-be will be included. But that's not the only place where Alabama is making a national splash.

• Former Tiders In Hall Of Fame • 'BamaMag 
Three former Alabama football players and one former Alabama basketball player are included in the eight new inductees into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame announced Wednesday. A total of 290 have now been chosen for the ASHOF.

• Time to Choose: Bama’s Team of the Decade • Crimson Confidential
Well, one spot is pretty obvious. 

• McElwain, Smart not among top four paid SEC coordinators • Crimson Confidential
Nick Saban's salary at Alabama always seems to be getting plenty of publicity, but have you ever wondered...

• Gene Stallings Book Signing • RollTide.com
Gene Stallings, the coach of Alabama's 1992 National Championship football team, will be signing his book "Another Season: A Coach's Story of Raising an Exceptional Son" 

• Mountain bike tops UA bowl gift package • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | It may be too early to tell what the University of Alabama football team is getting for Christmas, but Crimson Tide players will receive an impressive gift package for appearing in the BCS National Championship Game.

• Perfect season leads to post-season honors for players, coaches • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
The University of Alabama's undefeated run through the 2009 football season has yielded a Southeastern Conference championship and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series title game against Texas.

• Andrew Bone Recruiting Report • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Recruits in the Shrine Bowl Recruits in the Shrine Bowl
The Shrine Bowl features the best players from North and South Carolina with the game taking place Saturday at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. A couple of high profile recruits for Alabama are participating in the game.

• TideSportsExtra Museum • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
1979 National Champions 1979 National Champions
The TSE Museum takes a retrospective look at the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide with quarterback Steadman Shealy.

• Jonathan Fravel: Back to the Basics: Alabama Prepares for a Shot at the National Championship • Bleacher Report
Alabama fans should not crown the 2009 Crimson Tide football team National Champions at this point in the season, as many pundits and so-called experts have suggested.

• Recruiting notes • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
According to East Mississippi CC head coach Buddy Stephens, EMCC defensive lineman Brandon Lewis will sign a national letter of intent with Alabama later today and enroll at UA for the spring semester.

• TI TV for December 15 • WVUA-TV
See it on WVUATV.com, the home of Tider Insider TV. 

• More Stories About Mark Ingram • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
There was much joy among Alabama fans last Saturday night when the Crimson Tide’s Mark Ingram was announced as the winner of the Heisman Trophy. All all-time record number of viewers watched the televised event. 

• Signing Day Decision? • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Mustafa Greene talks about his timetable and a new school which has entered the picture.

• Tuesday Shrine Bowl Notebook • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Notes from Day 2

• The PreSeason Champs • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
One website has already dispatched the idea of finishing the 2009 season and has moved on to the next. You know, from a very, very, very safe distance, I would enjoy watching a member of our local media ask Nick Saban at his next press conference: “Coach, one organization has already named Alabama as it’s preseason number one team for 2010. 

• Bama and SEC Recruiting Notes • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
While Alabama is getting ready to play for the National Championship, it does not mean that recruiting takes a backseat. In fact, Coach Nick Saban hit the trail almost immediately following Alabama’s dominant win over Florida in the SEC Championship Game.

• BOL Recruiting Nuggets • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
With the Crimson Tide on the verge of capturing a national championship, Alabama is set to close their 2010 Signing Class with a big bang. In this edition of the BOL Recruiting Nuggets, get the latest on John Fulton, James Stone, Ahmad Dixon and much more.

• Top Texas back likes UA • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Mark Ingram's success at Alabama may potentially open doors in the future for Alabama when it comes to recruiting out of state running backs, including one of the top junior backs in the state of Texas... 

• More History For Bama • Bama Sports Report
After Saturday's historic Heisman Trophy presentation, it looked as though the wave of honors for the Alabama football team might calm a bit before picking back up in early January.

• Bama in the NBA December 15th Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Jalston Fowler has overcome many obstacles on his way to UA • Tuscaloosa News
MOBILE | If his motivation to play football had just been for himself, for the scholarship offers and all the local adulation that goes with being a top recruit, sitting out the 2009 season would have been tough enough for Jalston Fowler.

• SEC looks to adjust football schedules • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore has persuaded his Southeastern Conference peers to ask the league office to make adjustments to the SEC's 2010 football schedule, as well as it's upcoming 10-year release of future schedules, to bring more equity to the number of games each team must play against opponents coming off an idle week.

• Six Alabama players receive AP honors • Tuscaloosa News
NEW YORK | The University of Alabama will bring a lineup powered by All-Americans into the BCS national championship game.

• Perfect season leads to post-season honors for players, coaches • Tuscaloosa News
The University of Alabama's undefeated run through the 2009 football season has yielded a Southeastern Conference championship and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series title game against Texas.

• Tide closes out home stand against Samford • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | When the men's basketball coaches in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference voted in a preseason poll a few weeks ago, they predicted Stillman College would finish last in the 12-team league.

• Andrew Bone • Bleacher Report Several propects on display at All-Star Classic • Tuscaloosa News
The Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic in Mobile featured 37 of the best players from each of the two states, with the Alabama stars pulling out a 21-13 victory.

• Video Blog • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Rolando McClain’s 2009 season Rolando McClain’s 2009 season
A look back on Rolando McClain’s 2009 season thus far…

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Pat Sullivan welcomes Mark Ingram into the Heisman fraternity • The Birmingham News
Pat Sullivan is a lot like you and me, if we owned a Heisman Trophy and were standing with other former winners Saturday evening on the Nokia Theater stage in New York City.

• Christmas comes early for Tide • The Huntsville Times
Six players named AP All-American first team 

• 'Bama boasts 6 on AP All-America first team • Montgomery Advertiser
NEW YORK -- Alabama will bring a lineup powered by a record number of AP All-Americans to the national championship game.

• QB Club: Felker made key call in one of Alabama's biggest wins • Montgomery Advertiser
Mention the name Rockey Felker, and most college football fans will think first of Mississippi State. But the former Bulldogs head coach also has a pretty significant connection to the University of Alabama.

• SEC provides an example for Big Ten • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
Former Alabama running back Shaun Alexander used to tell a story about how the school he idolized as a boy recruited …

• Alabama lands six on All-America team • Dothan Eagle
Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and five Alabama teammates are on the The Associated Press All-America team — more than any other school.

• 2009 CFN All-America Teams • College Football News
Who were the best players in America this year? From the surprising running backs, like Stanford's Toby Gerhart, to the lack of star receivers, to the big question mark at quarterback where no one stood out, there were few obvious answers on the 2009 CFN All-America Team.

• Kouandjio takes first two visits, sets remaining trips • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Offensive tackle Arie Kouandjio took his second consecutive official visit this past weekend, and the Rivals250 prospect has set his remaining officials - including a trip to Tuscaloosa.

• VIDEO: Grant previews Samford • BamaOnLine
Coming off a tough loss to Purdue, Anthony Grant's team will look to rebound Wednesday night when the Samford Bulldogs visit Coleman Coliseum.

• All-American database • BamaOnLine
When Alabama had six players named first-team All-American by The Associated Press, it not only set a school record, but resulted in two unanimous selections and three consensus. 

• CC Recruiting Roundup - December 16th, 2009 • Crimson Confidential
Yesterday's news was promising for both John Fulton and Keenan Allen. They have garnered high praise from ESPN Affiliate insiders.

• Day Two - Shrine Bowl Practices • Crimson Confidential
John Fulton and Keenan Allen continue to impress on day two of Shrine Bowl practices. 

• Divers Sweep Top-Two Spots on Day One of Its Holiday Invitational • RollTide.com
The Alabama Crimson Tide finished first and second in both events on the first day of the Christmas Diving Invitational being held at the Alabama Aquatic Center this week. 

• Sallee Blog: Ranking The SEC Bowl Games • College Football News
CFN SEC Blogger Barrett Sallee ranks the SEC bowl games taking place during the 2009-2010 bowl season.

• Ingram, Saban Honored by Sporting News • RollTide.com
Alabama sophomore running back Mark Ingram has been named the 2009 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and head football coach Nick Saban was named SEC Coach of the Year, when the Sporting N...

• Saban Named Finalist for Bryant Coach of the Year Award • RollTide.com
For the second straight year, Alabama head football coach Nick Saban is a finalist for the 2009 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award, the American Heart of Association selection committee of ... 

• Saban finalist for Bryant Award • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Nick Saban is a finalist for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award for the second year in a row.

• San Jose State hires Mike MacIntyre • Tuscaloosa News
SAN JOSE, Calif. | San Jose State announced Thursday the hiring of former Duke assistant Mike MacIntyre as its new head coach.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
TSE Sneak Peek: John Hannah clip
Clip from a three-part series with John Hannah on TideSportsExtra. Join today to get in-depth features, extra analysis, and more only on TideSportsExtra.

• TideSports Photos: • Tuscaloosa News
FAN SCRAPBOOK: Album 4

• Don Kausler Jr.: Ingram named college football's player of the year by Sporting News • The Birmingham News
Seven Alabama players earn spots on publication's All-SEC team. Ingram's the SEC's offensive MVP. Saban's the coach of the year.

• Don Kausler Jr. Saban one of seven finalists for Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award • The Birmingham News
The 2003 winner is coaching against the 2005 winner next month in the national championship game.

• 2009-2010 CFN Staff Bowl Confidence Picks • College Football News
Who's going to win each bowl game? According to the CFN Confidence Picks (picks with 1 for the least confident selection and 34 for the most confident), Matt Barkley and USC should have the easiest time winnning their bowl. Check out all the CFN expert picks for the bowls. 

• 2009 CFN All-SEC Team & Top 30 Players • College Football News
2009 CFN All-SEC Team, Top 30 Players, & Players of the Year

• Georgia has as many rules violations (6) as Tennessee • AJC
Maybe Lane Kiffin isn’t such a renegade after all. Or perhaps Mark Richt is.

• Alabama: 5 Keys to a BCS Victory • Bleacher Report
With another couple weeks until the National Championship game, let’s break down five keys which could be a factor in Alabama coming out with a victory.

• Saban visiting Sims, Kouandjio • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
The Alabama coaching staff has spent the past two weeks on the recruiting trail, visiting with several of its commitments in the class of 2010 and making the rounds to high schools that have top 2011 prospects. Today, Alabama head coach Nick Saban and assistant Sal Sunseri are slated to meet with the nation's best quarterback in the 2010 class and one of the country's top offensive linemen. 

• Shrine Bowl Wednesday Hot 11 • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Day three of practice is in the books for the Shrine Bowl, and perhaps no prospect has been has hot as Tide five-star commit Keenan Allen.

• McElroy leading QB vote-getter in Bama's All-Decade Team • Crimson Confidential
So far, current Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy leads Brodie Croyle five votes to two for the quarterback spot on Alabama's All-Decade team. 

• No. 1 Bama to return to practice Saturday • Crimson Confidential   (Subscribers Only)
Break time is almost over for Bama. 

• Men's Basketball:
Wednesday Night: Alabama 60, Samford 45

• Women's Basketball:
Wednesday Night: Florida A&M 61, Alabama 52

• Bama in the NBA December 16th Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Men's Basketball Beats Samford, 60-45 • RollTide.com
Senior Mikhail Torrance scored 15 points while sophomore JaMychal Green added 14 to lead the Alabama men's basketball team to a 60-45 victory over the Samford Bulldogs Wednesday at Coleman Coliseum.

• Divers Host Holiday Invitational • RollTide.com
With exams behind them, the Alabama divers are getting back into competition, hosting the Christmas Diving Classic Dec. 17-19.

• Women's Basketball Drops 61-52 Decision at Florida A&M • RollTide.com
The women's basketball team fell 61-52 to Florida A&M on Monday at the Al Lawson Center. With the loss, the Crimson Tide drops to 6-5 overall, while the Lady Rattlers up their season standing to 6-3. 

• A look back at the 1982 Cotton Bowl • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The name Robert Brewer isn’t supposed to mean much to Randy Edwards.

• UA's Irvin to take Memphis job • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Sedrick Irvin, an intern who works with the University of Alabama running backs, is expected to become the new running backs coach at the University of Memphis under new coach Larry Porter, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal web site.

• Top-ranked teams holding a slight edge in matchups against No. 2 opponents • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | In college football polls, one is better than two, but not always.

• Green avoids fouls, leads Bama past Samford • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | JaMychal Green picked up his first foul less than two minutes into the University of Alabama’s 60-45 win over Samford on Wednesday night, but this time the Crimson Tide’s post man wasn’t interested in an early seat on the bench.

• Wilson, Smith preseason All-Americans in baseball • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama junior second baseman Ross Wilson and senior third baseman Jake Smith were named to the 2010 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-America Team. Wilson was a second-team pick and Smith was a third-team pick.

• Former Tide players make ASHOF • Tuscaloosa News
When Bobby Johns arrived at the University of Alabama, he wanted to play quarterback for coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant. Kenny Stabler was in Johns’ class, so he switched to defense.

• UA women fall to Florida A&M • Tuscaloosa News
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | The University of Alabama women’s basketball team dropped a 61-52 decision to Florida A&M on Monday night, falling to 6-5 overall.

• Three named Sporting News Freshman All-SEC • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama freshmen Barrett Jones, Trent Richardson and Nico Johnson were named to the Sporting News Freshman All-SEC Football Team.

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting Q&A Part ll • Tuscaloosa News
Flashback: Seems like our stock has shot up since winning the SEC so decisively while others have gone down (troubles at UT, etc.). If this means some new prospects come available will we see any current commits quietly urged to look elsewhere, just to make room? (Is this what happened to Gerald West last year?) Also, anything new on Jordan Hicks?

• TideSports Photos: • Tuscaloosa News
2009 Gameday Front Pages

• Sporting News 2009 college football Player of the Year: Mark Ingram, Alabama tailback • Sporting News
Mark Ingram personifies the true, lasting legacy of college football: One star leaves, another steps in.

• Web Warehouse  • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/17: Bowl Preview 12/17: Bowl Preview
An early look at all 34 bowls games from CBS.

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Ingram and Sullivan -- and you! -- prove we all can get along • The Birmingham News
Hey, Scarblog readers and posters and assorted mischief-makers.

• Alabama tops Samford 60-45 • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - Deliberate and methodical, Samford managed to slow a typically fast-paced team from Alabama. 

• Bama's Johns among 8 honorees • The Huntsville Times
State Hall of Fame class also includes Horry, McKinnon

• Tide's McCarron patient as backup quarterback • The Huntsville Times
Starter McElroy tells freshman his time will come 

• Gentry Estes: Kirby Smart's Broyles Award arrives in Tuscaloosa today • The Press Register
Smart will receive a 60-pound trophy that carries a price tag of roughly $5,000.

• Gentry Estes: Tide coaching intern Sedrick Irvin set to join staff at Memphis • The Press Register
Memphis is expected to add Irvin as its new running backs coach, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

• Gentry Estes: Frosh QB AJ McCarron 'one play away from going in' for Crimson Tide • The Press Register
A midseason promotion says former St. Paul's star AJ McCarron has had a successful freshman season at Alabama, though no one outside the team has been able to witness it.

• SEC Men's Hoops: 12/16 • SEC Sports
SEC Men's Basketball Results for Wednesday, December 16, 2009 

• Women's Results: 12/16 • SEC Sports
SEC Women's Basketball Results for Wednesday, December 16, 2009. 

• SEC Lands Nine On NCBWA Team • SEC Sports
The SEC had nine baseball players chosen on the NCBWA Preseason Team, including First Team selection Preston Tucker of Florida.

• Bama rebounds, routs Samford • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Mikhail Torrance scored 15 points and JaMychal Green added 14, and the Crimson Tide turned in a strong defensive effort to beat overmatched Samford 60-45 at Coleman Coliseum on Wednesday night.

• LOCAL SPORTS BRIEFS: Horry, Tamburello lead '10 Alabama Sports Hall of Fame class • Montgomery Advertiser
NBA player Robert Horry, former Auburn offensive lineman Ben Tamburello and ex-North Alabama linebacker Ronald McKinnon are among those who will be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in May.

• Patience, patience • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
Alabama doesn’t let Samford’s slowdown pace rule the day 

• Reasons Why the SEC Is Not the Most Dominant Conference • Bleacher Report
As I continue reading article stating just how great the SEC is, I can only laugh at the notion considering how painfully obvious it is that the SEC is not the toughest conference in college football...

• CBS Expert Picks • CBS Sports
Expert Picks

• The Harmon Forecast • CBS Sports
In its 53nd year, The Harmon Forecast predicts probable scores of college football games each week. 

• Tide on short list for junior star • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
In recent weeks, the Tide staff has started to gradually shift its focus to the 2011 class and has already made good impressions on several top players. One prospect who has been impressed is Jabriel Washington of Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson, TN. 

• Tide Discipline Leads To Win • 'BamaMag
Alabama’s basketball game last Saturday against fifth-ranked Purdue was big. Most would not consider Wednesday night’s game against Samford to be important. The Crimson Tide probably grew up in the loss to Purdue. And Bama appeared to gain something with its 60-45 win over the Bulldogs from Birmingham. 

• Wednesday Shrine Bowl Notebook • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
News and notes from the third day of practice at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas

• Shrine Bowl Evaluations • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
ROEBUCK, S.C. – Here is a breakdown of some of top defensive talent on South Carolina’s roster.

• Elite Texas DT has Ala. ties • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Westfield-Houston defensive tackle Desmond Jackson has made a case for being one of the top overall players in the state of Texas for 2011. Fortunately for Tide fans, the 6-foot-1, 270-pounder has strong Alabama ties that has the Tide in good early shape.

• Fulton talks Shrine Bowl • Crimson Confidential
John Fulton has had quite the time this week showcasing his skills against South Carolina's best. Fulton, an ESPN 150 cornerback prospect, has garnered a tremendous amount of attention as of late.

• Preparing for battle • Crimson Confidential
"All the awards and honors are fun (and certainly will have their place), but we've got a Championship still within reach... We haven't worked this hard for 48 weeks now for nothing... " 

• Stats Time - Quarterback • Bama Sports Report
Alabama had four different players attempt a pass and seven total guys take a snap as a defacto quarterback during the 2009 season. Thankfully, though, there was never a quarterback controversy. As far as this position is concerned, it was all Greg McElroy.

• Men's Basketball Travels to Mobile to Face No. 17 Kansas State • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama men's basketball team travels off campus, but remains within the state borders to face No. 17 Kansas State in the second game of the Coors Classic in Mobile, Ala., on Satu... 

• Ingram named TSN POY • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama running back Mark Ingram has been named National Player of the Year by The Sporting News, one of six UA players named All-America by the publication.

• Annual 'Bowl-O-Rama': Updates, map and info for bowl season • Tuscaloosa News
Keep updated with all the bowls right here on TideSports.com.

• Rachel Baribeau Blog • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
The Line: Le’Ron McClain The Line: Le’Ron McClain
Rachel has former Alabama standout and current Baltimore Raven Le'Ron McClain on the latest edition of The Line.

• Andrew Bone Recruiting Report • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Dec. 18 Recruiting Report Dec. 18 Recruiting Report
Andrew and Chris discuss the AL-Miss. All-Star game, the NC-SC Shrine Bowl, a recent commit for the Tide and more on the latest edition.

• Gentry Estes: Crimson Tide set to return to practice after a two-week break • The Press Register
As BCS national championship game draws nearer, Alabama finally starts bowl practices Saturday afternoon, the first of five workouts before the team will break for the holidays.

• Gentry Estes: DWI charge dismissed against Texas' kick return specialist D.J. Monroe • The Press Register
Longhorns could have their top kickoff return man back from suspension for the BCS national championship game against Alabama.

• Jon Solomon: Hottest college football bowl tickets • The Birmingham News
BCS Championship is No. 1; Outback is No. 21; Papajohns.com is No. 

• Chris Pow: Post your questions for a special "Hey, Coach!" show live from L.A. on Jan. 5 • al.com
Submit your questions for Coach Saban now

• SEC Football – Bowl Info Guide • SEC Sports
2009-10 SEC Post-Season Football Release 

• Franklin Crittenden: Alabama-Texas in the BCS Championship: Who Has the Mental Edge? • Bleacher Report
Take two evenly matched teams, put them in a neutral site, mix in about a dozen All-Americans, then stir in two future Hall of Fame coaches, a couple of Heisman candidates, and two of the finest defenses in the country and what do you get?

• More Hardware Could Be On Way • 'BamaMag
When Alabama’s football team returns to the practice field Saturday on the Thomas-Drew practice fields, Crimson Tide players will be working adjacent to the Mal M. Moore Athletics Facility, which is being stuffed with more and more hardware. 

• Offensive Line Getting Job Done • 'BamaMag
‘Big Uglies’ get noticed primarily by coaches and teammates

• Saban May Win Bryant Trophy • 'BamaMag
Crimson Tide coach is SEC coach of the year and finalist for various national awards

• Video Feature: Fulton talks recruiting • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Manning Rivals100 cornerback John Fulton is showing out during this week's Shrine Bowl practices, covering several four-star receivers. In this exclusive video interviews, Fulton talks about the week of practice plus his college decision which is coming up on January 2.

• Alabama offers Houston lineman • BamaOnLine
Galena Park (Texas) North Shore is a Division I superstore, and offensive lineman Sedrick Flowers is the headliner for 2011.

• Brittany Rogers wins NCAA Top VIII honor • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Brittany Rogers has been named as a winner of the NCAA's Top VIII award, collegiate athletics' highest honor for the combination of athletics, academics and community service.

• Winning play in '73 Cotton Bowl still debatable • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Stan Mauldin wondered if he was in trouble for some reason.

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting Q&A part lll • Tuscaloosa News
Crimson Reign: Saban has been really busy, how many more official visits will Alabama get? Who do you think Saban will spend time visiting with his in-homes that are left? Will potential coaching changes at Alabama have an impact?

• TideSportsExtra Features • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
5 Things: Texas Defense 5 Things: Texas Defense
Sergio Kindle highlights a Longhorn defense that mixes up coverage and has so far smothered opposing rushing attacks. Here are 5 things to know about the Texas D.

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Alabama's latest painting captures Johnny Stallings, Bama's greatest fan • The Birmingham News
You think it was tough playing for Gene Stallings?

• HELPING HANDS • The Huntsville Times
Going left or right, senior guard Torrance proves to be threat in first full season as Tide starter 

• Jon Solomon: Texas AD complains about BCS ticket allotment • The Birmingham News
Dodds wants more tickets in future for national championship teams

• Don Kausler Jr.: Sold out? Alabama-Texas tickets easily available, but free market drives prices high • The Birmingham News
Tournament of Roses CEO says he could fill a 500,000-seat stadium for this national championship game.

• Tommy Hicks: Politics just another player in the game of football • The Press Register
Here we go again. Politicians want to get involved in how the college football national championship is determined.

• Mike Herndon: Texas' Chris Hall faces big obstacle in Alabama's Mount Cody • The Press Register
In his last game, Chris Hall and his teammates on the Texas offensive line tangled with a player widely regarded as the best defensive lineman in college football -- Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh. In his next game, the Longhorns' center will line up facemask to facemask with an even bigger challenge.

• 2010 NCAA Top VIII Award Winners • SEC Sports
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and Duke golfer Amanda Blumenherst are among the 2010 NCAA Top VIII Award winners who will be recognized at the NCAA Convention in Atlanta next month.

• SEC Gymnastics Championship • SEC Sports
Jacksonville, FLA., Awarded 2010 SEC Gymnastics Championship. 

• Tide of honors keeps rising • Montgomery Advertiser
No. 1 Alabama received another batch of postseason awards Thursday, this time from The Sporting News, while Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban was named a finalist for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award.

• The Huddle: BCS National Championship • Dothan Eagle
Alabama writer Ken Rogers and Sports editor Jon Johnson preview Alabama’s matchup against Texas in the BCS National Championsip at the Rose Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010

• Brandon Buell: Buell's Eye: Bowl Season Predictions • Bleacher Report
Perhaps more than ever, this year's Bowl Season provides us with so many possibilities and story lines

• What Can Alabama Do to Top a Crying Tim Tebow? • Bleacher Report
After an undefeated season (13-0 and 8-5 against the spread) and a Heisman trophy for star running back Mark Ingram, the Alabama Crimson Tide have one more goal in sight, a BCS title..

• Tide renews interest in Louisiana DL • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"Coach [Bo] Davis from Alabama called me this week and told me he was going to be recruiting me and staying in more regular contact. He explained why I hadn't heard from him in a little while..."

• Bama coaches discuss future with Blake Sims • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Several weeks ago there was talk that Gainesville, GA star quarterback/athlete Blake Sims might reconsider his commitment to Alabama in favor of his childhood favorite Georgia Bulldogs. But that's not happening. On Wednesday, the 6-0, 198-pound Sims, who is rock solid to Alabama, got a visit from Tide head coach Nick Saban and assistants James Willis and Kirby Smart. 

• Coach Spotlight: Demarcus Milliner • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Demarcus Milliner has stayed focused on the prize. The talented 6-1, 183 all-around, natural athlete wanted to play big time college football. After an outstanding junior season Milliner's stock went through the roof and entertained offers from top programs all across the country. He committed to the University of Alabama in June '09. The road getting there, however, wasn't so easy. 

• Coach Spotlight: Ronald Carswell • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Coach Sheddrick Risper talks of his Tide commitment.

• Tide Basketball In Mobile • 'BamaMag
Over the years, Alabama teams in many sports have played games in various sites around the state. Birmingham has been host to Alabama home games in football, basketball and baseball. Those Tide teams have also played in Montgomery and Mobile.

• Sun Sports Spotlight - Florida Championships • 'BamaMag
Scout brings you highlights on dozens of the top players in the first four games of the Fla. Champi

• PreSeason Champs, Part Dos • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
Yesterday, we examined our probable 2010 Depth Chart on offense to see if it jives with the notion set forth by nationalchamps.net that Alabama warrants the top ranking in the 2010 preseason poll. 

• UA Recruiting Notebook • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Big OL target Arie Kouandjio entertained Alabama coaches Nick Saban and Sal Sunseri Thursday evening as the Tide attempts to lock up one of their top remaining prospects. In this UA Recruiting Notebook, find out the details of the visit, the latest on Blake Sims's in-home with Saban and much more.

• CC Recruiting Roundup - December 18th, 2009 • Crimson Confidential
In today’s installment of the CC Recruiting Roundup, Will Matthews discusses the recruitment of five standout 2011 prospects. Two have Alabama offers and one may be on the verge of committing to the Crimson Tide.

• Receiver debate highlights Bama's All-Decade Team • Crimson Confidential
The debate rages on. 

• 2011 Tide target set to visit Tuscaloosa • Crimson Confidential
Reese Dismukes, a 6-foot-3, 270 pound center from Spanish Fort, Alabama is one of the top offensive linemen...

• Regarding Dunkley • Crimson Confidential
Under Armour All-American Chris Dunkley will decide between Florida, Alabama, West Virginia, and Georgia on January 2nd. He talked...

• Men's Basketball:
Kansas State 87, Alabama 74

• Five Tide Players Selected to Play in 2010 Senior Bowl • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama seniors Javier Arenas, Terrence Cody, Mike Johnson, Colin Peek and Leigh Tiffin were invited to play in the 2010 Senior Bowl it was announced Saturday afternoon.

• Football Team Returns to Practice • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
After a two-week break, the Alabama football team returned to the practice field on Saturday afternoon to begin preparations for its BCS National Championship Game against the Texas Longhorns. 

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/19 - Practice
The Crimson Tide begin practicing for the upcoming national championship game.

• TideSports Photos: • Tuscaloosa News
Alabama Scrapbook: Greg McElroy

• Chase Goodbread: Good Tidings • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Practice? We’re talking about practice? Practice? We’re talking about practice?
The latest from the Hank Crisp Indoor Athletic Facility as Alabama opens preparations for the national championship game against Texas in Pasadena, Calif.

• Rachel Baribeau Blog • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/19 – Player Bites 12/19 – Player Bites
Chase Goodbread speaks with Mark Ingram, Greg McElroy, Leigh Tiffin and Mike Johnson.

• TideSportsExtra Features • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
TheLine: Pat Forde TheLine: Pat Forde
ESPN.com’s Pat Forde talks to TSE’s Rachel Baribeau about the BCS Championship & the Heisman trophy, among other things…

• Nick Saban Press Conferences • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/19 – Saturday post-practice 12/19 – Saturday post-practice
Nick Saban speaks with media after the Tide's first practice following a break after the SEC title game. 

• Don Kausler Jr.: Saban has been so busy he forgot his anniversary •
He and his assistants have spent much of the past two weeks recruiting.

• Gentry Estes: Nick Saban: No academic casualties for Alabama this semester • The Press Register
Tide's only absence on day one of bowl practice was right tackle Drew Davis, who was out sick and hopefully will be back tomorrow, according to Saban. 

• Gentry Estes: Alabama has appealed to NCAA to allow players' travel funds for BCS title game • The Press Register
Nick Saban says it's unfair that Alabama's location and timing of the trip made for logistical problems should players have opted to fly individually to California.

• Gentry Estes: Crimson Tide players voted to travel as a team to bowl site in California • The Press Register
In doing so, Alabama's players turned down their permissible bowl stipend for individual travel.

• Don Kausler Jr.: Five Alabama players will play in Senior Bowl • The Birmingham News
Javier Arenas, Terrence Cody, Mike Johnson, Colin Peek and Leigh Tiffin will compete in the all-star game on Jan. 30 in Mobile. 

• Don Kausler Jr.: Giving up money, Alabama players voted unanimously to travel to California as a team • The Birmingham News
The alternative was to fly individual and pocket roughly $1,000 each.

• Don Kausler Jr.: Tide back at practice; all key players are there • The Birmingham News
After two-week layoff, Alabama begins preparations for its Jan. 7 game against Texas for the national championship.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/19 - Greg McElroy

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/19 - Mark Ingram

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/19 - Nick Saban 

• Preparations for title game start well • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
After two full weeks off, the top-ranked Crimson Tide returned to the practice field on Saturday afternoon to begin preparations for the BCS Championship Game against second-ranked Texas on January 7.

• VIDEO: Nick Saban's Saturday news conference • BamaOnLine
After putting his team through its first on-the-field workout in two weeks, Nick Saban met with reporters in the Naylor Stone Media Suite. Check inside for video coverage of Saban's post-practice comments! 

• POST-PRACTICE VIDEO: Ingram, McElroy and Tiffin • BamaOnLine
After a whirlwind week, it was back to practice for Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner. Check inside for video coverage of interviews with Mark Ingram, Greg McElroy and Leigh Tiffin! 

• VIDEO: Bama begins BCS championship game prep • BamaOnLine
Saturday signaled the return to practice for the 2009 SEC champions, as the Crimson Tide worked out inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. Check inside for video coverage from the practice! 

• INSTANT ANALYSIS: Tide goes back to work • BamaOnLine
After a few weeks away from the practice field, the Alabama Crimson Tide went back to work Saturday. BOL senior analyst Travis Reier checks in from Tuscaloosa with an update from the UA football complex! 

• Saban, players glad to hit practice field again after layoff • Crimson Confidential
The fact that Nick Saban is currently in the dog house is all the proof anyone needs that the Alabama head coach, despite his team enjoying a two-week break from the practice field, has remained busy. 

• Practice Report: Bama begins prepping for BCS title game • Crimson Confidential
The prepping for Pasadena is officially under way.

• Practice Report: National Championship Game Practice 1 • Bama Sports Report
The Alabama football team hit the practice field for the first of its 15 practices leading up to the BCS National Championship Game on January 7. The practice, in shells, was held inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility due to 40 degree weather in Tuscaloosa.

• Gentry Estes: Five Alabama players accept Senior Bowl invites • The Press Register
The Crimson Tide contingent will be strong for the 2010 Senior Bowl, to be held Jan. 30 in Mobile. Find out who's on the list ...

• College Football Bowl Predictions: Expert Pick'em • Bleacher Report
The 2009 Cotton Bowl was a phenomenon matchup between the seventh ranked Red Raiders of Texas Tech, who came extremely close to playing for last year's Title, and the underrated Rebels of Mississippi, who had barely risen to the Top 25.

• Video: ESPN analysts look at concerns for Bama, Texas • Crimson Confidential
ESPN's college football analysts weigh in on the BCS title game between top-ranked Alabama and No. 2 Texas and talk about the concerns for both teams.

• Reports: DWI charge dropped for Texas returner • Crimson Confidential
Texas kick returner D. J. Monroe can rejoin the team before the BCS title game against Alabama after charges for driving while intoxicated were dropped in exchange for a plea agreement, the Austin American-Statesman reported. 

• Bama in the NBA December 18th Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Alabama Diver Adam Booher Wins Second Title on Day Two of Its Holiday Invitational • RollTide.com
The Alabama Crimson Tide continued to shine on day two of the Christmas Diving Invitational being held at the Alabama Aquatic Center this week, with junior Adam Booher winning his second events of ... 

• In eight tries, Crimson Tide has never beaten the Longhorns • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | A few inches — even the perception of those inches — was once all that stood between the University of Alabama and its first win over Texas. Current Crimson Tide football players will hear all they want to hear about the fact their school has never beaten the Longhorns leading up to their Jan. 7, 2010, clash with Texas in the BCS National Championship Game.

• Bama’s Brittany Rogers wins NCAA Top VIII award • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Brittany Rogers has been named a winner of the NCAA’s Top VIII award, collegiate athletics’ highest honor for the combination of athletics, academics and community service.

• Alabama’s Grant faces an old friend • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama’s non-conference basketball schedule brings yet another test to first-year coach Anthony Grant’s team when the Crimson Tide faces Kansas State tonight in Mobile in the Coors Classic.

• Chase Goodbread: Good Tidings • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Blast from the past Blast from the past
Check out video from a couple of the most memorable Alabama-Texas football games on record. 

• TideSportsExtra Features • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
TheLine: Pat Forde TheLine: Pat Forde
ESPN.com’s Pat Forde talks to TSE’s Rachel Baribeau about the BCS Championship & the Heisman trophy, among other things…

• Ray Melick: Crimson Tide, Texas fans no match for Rose Bowl • The Birmingham News
So Texas Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds would like ac­cess to more tickets to the BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena. Who wouldn't?

• No. 1 Alabama returns to work • The Huntsville Times
Tide will practice throughWednesday, then resume Dec. 27

• Mark Inabinett: SEC Football by the Numbers: The All-American season • The Press Register
The SEC had 10 consensus All-Americans this season, the most in league history, with five coming from conference champion Alabama. 

• SEC Bowl Preview • SEC Sports
2009 SEC Football Post-Season Bowl Games 

• UA basketball: Ex-teammates Grant, Martin reluctant rivals • Montgomery Advertiser
Frank Martin and Anthony Grant aren't happy about coaching against each other.

• COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Alabama vs. Kansas St. at Mobile • Montgomery Advertiser
Here is a preview of tonight's Alabama-Kansas State basketball game, the second half of the Coors Classic doubleheader in Mobile.

• Old friends face off from coaching boxes in Tide-KSU • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — By tipoff, all will be fine. Before that, Alabama basketball coach Anthony Grant said, it will be a little strange. Having his old high school teammate and good friend Frank …

• Alabama basketball faces Kansas State • Dothan Eagle
Kids know nothing gets the competitive juices flowing more than facing your best friends.

• Artaves Gibson talks Keiwone Malone • Crimson Confidential
One of the top 2011 prospects in West Tennessee is 6-foot-2, 220 pound running back prospect Artaves Gibson. He provides his take on how solid Malone's commitment status is to Alabama at this point in time.

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

• Football Team Works on Fundamentals • RollTide.com
The Alabama football team was back at work Sunday afternoon with a two-hour practice at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility, completing its second day of bowl practice for the upcoming BCS National C... 

• Jackson files with NFLDAB • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama junior cornerback Kareem Jackson has filed an application with the National Football League Draft Advisory Board, which provides college underclassmen with information on their draft status to help them decide whether or not to forgo their college eligibility early.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/20 - William Vlachos

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/20 - Kareem Jackson 

• Chase Goodbread: Good Tidings • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Tough call for Jackson Tough call for Jackson
We now know that UA CB Kareem Jackson has filed for feedback from the NFL’s Draft Advisory Board, which isn’t much of a surprise. After all, the junior has been [...]

• Rachel Baribeau Blog • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/20 – Player Bites 12/20 – Player Bites
Rachel Baribeau speaks with Kareem Jackson about going pro and with William Vlachos about Terrence Cody.

• Don Kausler Jr.: Tide's Vlachos thinks Ingram will win another Heisman • The Birmingham News
Kareem Jackson gave his teammate grief for crying at the award presentation.

• Gentry Estes: Tide junior CB Kareem Jackson weighing his options for the NFL draft • The Press Register
Jackson said he has submitted paperwork to the NFL's draft advisory board and will await feedback before seriously evaluating an early jump to the pros.

• Don Kausler Jr.:Tide's Kareem Jackson has petitioned the NFL Draft Advisory Committee • The Birmingham News
But the junior cornerback says his focus is on getting ready for the Jan. 7 national championship game.

• Vlachos talks about the Tide • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Following Sunday's practice, center William Valchos shared his thoughts on several subjects surrounding the Crimson Tide and its upcoming game against the Texas Longhorns. 

• Offensive Line No Longer In Question • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Although Alabama was a preseason top ten team, the Crimson Tide was not expected to be ranked number one and playing in the national championship game. Last year Bama has reached number one, but fell to Florida in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, then was embarrassed by a loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl. 

• VIDEO: Crimson Tide quarterbacks and receivers • BamaOnLine
Among the players trying to shed some rust following the Crimson Tide's time away from the practice field are the quarterbacks and wide receivers. Check inside for video coverage of the combination from Sunday's practice!

• SUNDAY INTERVIEWS: Kareem Jackson and William Vlachos • BamaOnLine
Following Sunday's practice, cornerback Kareem Jackson and center William Vlachos met with reporters. Check inside for video coverage of their post-practice comments! 

• VIDEO: Outside linebackers at work • BamaOnLine
BOL focused on the Crimson Tide's outside linebackers during Sunday's practice. Check inside for video coverage of Eryk Anders, Cory Reamer and other Tide 'backers at work! 

• INSTANT ANALYSIS: Sunday • BamaOnLine
INSTANT ANALYSIS: Sunday

• CC Tidebits - Florence and Region • BamaOnLine
2011 targets Enrique Florence and Spencer Region are both in-state players that are on Alabama's recruiting radar.

• Alabama Women's Basketball Hosts Presbyterian College in Monday Matinee • RollTide.com
The women's basketball returns to Coleman Coliseum on Monday to take on the Presbyterian College Blue Hose for the Crimson Tide's third annual 5th Grade Fastbreak game at 11:30 a.m. (CST).

• Davis back at practice • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama offensive lineman Drew Davis returned to practice Sunday after missing Saturday's workout as the Crimson Tide prepares to face Texas in the BCS National Championship Game.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/20 - Practice

• Gentry Estes: Texas ties make an interesting backdrop to BCS title game for Greg McElroy • The Press Register
Longhorns coaches passed on McElroy out of high school, never offering a scholarship to the quarterback they'll now face in the BCS national championship game.

• Gentry Estes: Practice report: Tide RT Drew Davis returns on day two of BCS practice • The Press Register
Workouts for the BCS national championship game have been business as usual for Alabama, which got its starting right tackle back at practice today. Davis missed Saturday's workout while sick

• Don Kausler Jr.: A day after he was sick, Drew Davis back at practice with Tide • The Birmingham News
Alabama working out in full pads on a sunny but crisp afternoon.

• Who Does Santa Root for This Bowl Season? • Bleacher Report
So, I will start this article with a quick question: If Santa had to pick a team to root for this year, which one is more worthy?

• All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide NFL Team • Bleacher Report
Even before the days of Bear Bryant, many former Crimson Tide appeared on NFL rosters. Since the start of the 2009 NFL season, 252 have played in the NFL. This number will certainly grow in the subsequent years that Nick Saban calls Tuscaloosa home.

• Dismukes visits Alabama, adds another offer • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Reese Dismukes, offensive center from Spanish Fort, Ala., received an offer from the nation’s top ranked program last week. He took an unofficial visit Saturday to see the Crimson Tide’s first bowl practice. He talked about the visit as well as a new offer. 

• Kameron Wood talks in-state visits • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Two SEC schools and a surprise out-of-state school.

• VIDEO: Outside linebackers at work • BamaOnLine
BOL focused on the Crimson Tide's outside linebackers during Sunday's practice. Check inside for video coverage of Eryk Anders, Cory Reamer and other Tide 'backers at work! 

• Practice Report: Bama moves outdoors for second BCS title game workout • Crimson Confidential  (Subscribers Only)
Top-ranked Alabama took advantage of some mild winter temperatures Sunday afternoon and ventured outdoors to conduct its second practice in preparation for the BCS national championship game against No. 2 Texas on Jan. 7.

• Heisman winner Ingram ready to help team go after bigger trophy • Crimson Confidential  (Subscribers Only)
That stiff arm trophy wasn’t the only thing Mark Ingram received while he was up on stage back on Dec. 12.

• Shrine Bowl Overview • Crimson Confidential
How did John Fulton and Keenan Allen do in both the practices and the game? What are others...

• Shrine Bowl - Play by play • Crimson Confidential
Wanting to know the complete scoop on how the Shrine Bowl went for Alabama targets John Fulton and...

• Practice Report: National Championship Game Practice 2 • Bama Sports Report
The Alabama football practiced Sunday afternoon for the second time in preparation for the BCS National Championship Game. Unlike yesterday's practice, the Tide donned full pads and worked outside.

• Bama in the NBA December 19th Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Men's Basketball Falls to No. 17 Kansas State, 87-74 • RollTide.com
The Alabama men's basketball team fell to Kansas State (No. 22 ESPN/USA Today, No. 17 AP), 87-74, in the Coors Classic held in Mobile's Mitchell Center Saturday night. 

• No. 17 Kansas State overpowers Alabama • Tuscaloosa News
MOBILE | It was a neutral floor but the Kansas State Wildcats were anything but stuck in neutral against Alabama on Saturday night.

• UA to appeal for reimbursement of travel expenses • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama is appealing to the NCAA on behalf of the football team for reimbursement of travel expenses to the BCS National Championship Game, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Saturday.

• Tide wins fourth title at diving invitational • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama won its fourth title Saturday on the third day of the Christmas Diving Invitational at the Alabama Aquatic Center. Sophomore Carrie Dragland won her second event of the meet.

• Break time over • The Huntsville Times
Tide putting all its individual trophies and honors away with national prize almost in reach

• Don Kausler Jr.: Tide's Ingram eyes another trophy • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA -- That formerly elusive Heisman Trophy already is in a trophy case on the second floor of Alabama's football building, displayed next to the latest of 22 Southeastern Conference championship trophies, the one the Crimson Tide won on Dec. 5.

• Don Kausler Jr.: BCS National Championship: Giants that seldom meet will battle for the title • The Birmingham News
It is Goliath vs. Goliath in Pasadena for all the marbles.

• Gentry Estes: Alabama sending five players to Senior Bowl • The Press Register
Many college football players view the Senior Bowl as a showcase to help spur careers in the NFL. Alabama's All-American left guard Mike Johnson also sees it as a reunion. 

• Kevin Scarbinsky: At Alabama, the real story is passing classes, not canceling them • The Birmingham News
Crimson Tide is No. 1 on game day and graduation day.

• Gentry Estes: Alabama gets back to work in preparation for BCS championship game • The Press Register
Alabama coach Nick Saban's wedding anniversary was Friday. If only he'd realized that about 24 hours before.

• Tide's Ingram tries to shake Heisman haze • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Mark Ingram isn't saying his life has been turned upside down, but the Alabama sophomore running back didn't show up for the Crimson Tide's first bowl practice Saturday afternoon until minutes before the team meeting.

• ALABAMA BASKETBALL: Kansas State tops Tide • Montgomery Advertiser
MOBILE -- Jacob Pullen hit six 3-pointers and scored a sea­son-high 30 points, leading No. 17 Kansas State to an 87-74 victo­ry over Alabama on Saturday night.

• It’s back to work for Tide • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — Two weeks, an awards show and a Heisman Trophy later, Alabama football returned to work Saturday …

• Bama’s Mark Ingram puts crazy week behind • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — Mark Ingram’s Heisman Trophy sits on his mother’s kitchen table — and it may stay there awhile.

• Ingram's focus has shifted to the national title • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Mark Ingram said that the past week had been "crazy, exciting, a great experience that I'll remember the rest of my life." But will he be able to put that out of his mind enough to focus on the BCS championship against Texas? 

• Alabama Focus Is On Texas Game • 'BamaMag
In the past couple of weeks, Alabama Coach Nick Saban and his players have been on the banquet circuit as Crimson Tide players have been raking in the hardware, everything from the Heisman Trophy and the Butkus Award to a half dozen All-America citations. That could be the stuff of distraction. But no one expects Bama to not be ready for its next game. 

• ScoutTV: Arie Kouandjio • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Scout.com presents senior game film of DeMatha offensive tackle Arie Kouandjio.

• Video: Fulton talks Shrine Bowl, recruiting • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Four-star cornerback John Fulton discusses Shrine Bowl week as well as his recruitment.

• Shrine Bowl Highlights • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Video highlights of the top plays from the the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

• Allen leads N.C. to win in Shrine Bowl • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
The 73rd annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas took place at Gibbs Stadium on the campus of Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. on Saturday. The NC team pulled out a 24-14 win and when the coaches needed a big play, they turned to Tide commit Keenan Allen who put the game away with a key touchdown run. 

• Football Team Continues Working on Fundamentals • RollTide.com
The Alabama football team practiced for two hours in full pads Monday afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility, completing its third practice for the upcoming BCS National Championship Game a... 

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting Q&A part IV • Tuscaloosa News
Young Lombardi: How much interest do we have in LB C.Jones? 

• Web Warehouse • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
12/21: Newton to start for Texas and Alabama appeals NCAA rule 12/21: Newton to start for Texas and Alabama appeals NCAA rule
Freshman Tre Newton will get the start at RB for Texas in the title game and Alabama is appealing the NCAA because of travel issues out to California.

• VIDEO: Nick Saban's Monday news conference • BamaOnLine
Following Monday's practice, Alabama coach Nick Saban addressed the media in the Naylor Stone media suite. 

• Jake Smith Named Preseason All-American • RollTide.com
Alabama senior third baseman Jake Smith was named to the Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball newspaper preseason All-America baseball team, long-time publisher and college baseball historian Lou...

• Women's Basketball Downs Presbyterian College, 71-38 • RollTide.com
Sophomore Ericka Russell scored 13 points while junior Varisia Raffington added 11 points and six rebounds to lead the women's basketball team to a 71-38 win over the Presbyterian College Blue Hose... 

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
12/21 - Practice

• Larry Burton: For Nick Saban, The Process Finally Has an End in Sight • Bleacher Report
The process that Nick Saban often speaks of leaves many confused. What is this process? A secret formula for success? A step-by-step guide? A method of merging recruits and coaching?

• Jonathan Fravel: Alabama Practice Report: Back In Full Pads • Bleacher Report
After a two week hiatus, the Crimson Tide was back in full pads on Saturday. Monday was day three. The players are shaking off the dust and oiling the squeaky joints. They are happy to be with each other and to be working out the game plan to compete against Texas for the National Championship.

• VIDEO: Scenes from Monday's practice • BamaOnLine
Under perfect conditions, the Crimson Tide practiced outside and in full gear for the second day in a row.

• INSTANT ANALYSIS: Monday  • BamaOnLine
With Colt McCoy up next, the Alabama secondary may be in for its biggest challenge of the season. 

• Practice Report: Bama being pushed to remain physical in prepping for Texas • Crimson Confidential
It’s drills like the one Sal Sunseri put his outside linebackers through Monday that have forged Alabama’s identity as a physical team. 

• Women's Basketball:
Alabama 71, Presbyterian 38

• December 21 Cecil Hurt Show • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
Cecil and Rachel look ahead to the BCS National Championship between Alabama and Texas, set for January 7, 2010 in Pasadena.

• TideSportsExtra Features • TideSports Extra (Subscribers Only)
AUDIO: Texas teleconference AUDIO: Texas teleconference
Coaches and players from the University of Texas address the media on Monday, including quarterback Colt McCoy and head coach Mack Brown.

• Gentry Estes: Former UA coach Dennis Franchione reportedly interviewing for UNLV job • The Press Register
Franchione is looking to get back into coaching and was scheduled to meet today with officials from UNLV.

• Gentry Estes: Texas return specialist, safety will be back for BCS title game • The Press Register
Texas coach Mack Brown confirms that kickoff return man D.J. Monroe has been reinstated and safety Christian Scott is now eligible, per word from the Austin American-Statesman

• Mike Herndon: UT's Brown: 'Alabama has always been my favorite school.' • The Press Register
While fans often look for reasons to despise the opposition, Alabama fans won't get any bulletin board material out of Texas coach Mack Brown. "Alabama has always been my favorite school," said Brown, who along with his brother Watson was recruited by Bear Bryant's staff as a high school player in Tennessee. "It is what the SEC was about..

• Paul Gattis: Retro edition: Looking back at Saban's West Virginia roots • The Huntsville Times
Saban's father was a tremendous influence on his and their community.

• Larry Burton: Is the Heisman a Distraction, a Jinx, or an Incentive to Opposing Teams? • Bleacher Report
Winning a Heisman Trophy is not only uncharted waters for Mark Ingram, but for coach Nick Saban and Alabama as well.

• Bama making a hard push for top OL • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"I would say that Alabama is recruiting me the hardest," says one of the nation's top offensive linemen in the class of 2010. "I've been interested in Alabama for a while. I didn't just become interested in them..." 

• Shrine Bowl Top Ten • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Breaking down the top ten performers in Saturday's 73rd annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. 

• ScoutTV: Keenan Allen • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Highlights of safety Keenan Allen from Saturday's Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

• Brionte Dunn Gives The Latest • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Canton (Ohio) GlenOak sophomore tailback Brionte Dunn is one to watch.

• IN FOCUS : Enrique Florence • Crimson Confidential
One of the top Prospects in the nation for 2011 is none other than Valleyh HS safety Enrique Florence

• Brown, McCoy react to Heisman Trophy voting • Crimson Confidential   (Subscribers Only)
Think individual player awards don’t mean much to head coaches? Might want to rethink that.

• Bama in the NBA December 20th Stats:
See how former players performed.

• Jackson checking into NFL draft status • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama junior cornerback Kareem Jackson has filed an application with the National Football League Draft Advisory Board, which provides college underclassmen with information on their draft status to help them decide whether or not to forgo their college eligibility early.

• Ingram: Jinxes are not a concern • The Huntsville Times
Regardless, Heisman winners are 1-6 in BCStitle games this decade 

• Don Kausler Jr.: Difference between good and great for Tide? It's a fine line • The Birmingham News
Vlachos says members of rebuilt offensive line jelled more quickly than anyone expected.

• Tom Arenberg: The Hot Corner: Rolando McClain proves some people wrong • The Birmingham News
How couldn't people have seen the talent

• Don Kausler Jr.: Top-ranked Tide shaking off a little rust from two-week layoff • The Birmingham News
Players say the first two practices have gone well in preparation for the Jan. 7 national championship game against second-ranked Texas.

• Fans crowd out UA players for flights to Calif. • Montgomery Advertiser
Enough Tide fans booked airplane flights to the West Coast to prevent the players from finding their way to California on New Year's Day. 

• Mr. Popularity • Decatur Daily
TUSCALOOSA — If Mark Ingram needed proof of just how much his life changed in an instant, his cell phone did the trick. Alabama’s sophomore running back was already a popular guy before …

• Alabama Notebook • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — After starring at cornerback for three years for Alabama, it’s only natural that junior cornerback Kareem Jackson would take a look ahead. Jackson said … 

• Tide football a family tradition • Decatur Daily (Subscribers Only)
TOWN CREEK - They might have ended up at Auburn. If the Tigers had given Chris Goode a scholarship as he expected, his brothers — Kerry, Pierre and Clyde III — and cousin, Antonio …

• Ken Rogers: Saban in the doghouse • Dothan Eagle
You think Nick Saban is perfect? Think the Alabama coach can do no wrong?

• Harbach's SEC Bowl Breakdown • Colllege Football News
10 SEC teams will be playing bowl games this winer, two BCS games, seven games on or after January 1st and we are going to take a look at each one of them.

• CFN All-Decade Defense - 2000 to 2009 • Colllege Football News
Who were the best players of the decade? Based on college production (and not NFL potential), stats, awards, titles, and legendary status, these were the best defensive and special teams players over the last ten years led by Oklahoma's Tommie Harris, USC's Troy Polamalu, and Ohio State's A.J. Hawk.

• Spanish Fort star discusses UA visit • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Spanish Fort junior offensive lineman Reese Dismukes was in Tuscaloosa on Saturday to watch the Tide's first practice for the national championship game against Texas. 

• Elite 2012 QB visits Tuscaloosa • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Jameis Winston, quarterback from Hueytown, Ala., will rank as one of the top recruits in the country in the class of 2012. He has already received a pair of verbal offers, taken several trips to a trio of SEC schools and receiving interest from across the country. 

• Kameron Wood talks in-state visits • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Two SEC schools and a surprise out-of-state school.

• Cody Is Difficult To Avoid • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Crimson Tide nose guard is ‘a lot more’ than a space-eater

• Monday Recruiting Notes • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Which FSU commit is expected to visit Alabama? Is it a matter of time before 2011 center Reese Dismukes commits to UA? Who could be the next 2010 commit for Alabama? 

• 2011 DT loves the Tide • BamaOnLine  (Subscribers Only)
Carver-Columbus standout Gabe Wright is seeing his recruitment heat up, as a number of schools in the Southeast are trying to make a case for his top team. One program, however, stands out above the rest. ... 

• Bama's 2011 offer map provides unique perspective • Crimson Confidential
Want a bird's eye view of Alabama's 2011 recruiting trail? 

• CC Tidebits - Florence and Region • Crimson Confidential
2011 targets Enrique Florence and Spencer Region are both in-state players that are on Alabama's recruiting radar.