Bama in the News

December 8 - 14, 2008

• Volleyball Names Pavlina Steffkova Assistant Coach • RollTide.com
Volleyball's latest addition was announced Monday when head coach Judy Green welcomed Pavlina Steffkova as the Crimson Tide's new assistant coach.

• Saban named SEC Coach of the Year • RollTide.com
Julio Jones named Freshman of the Year; nine Tide players honored

• Sugar Bowl tickets will be hard to find • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | If you’re looking for a ticket to the Allstate Sugar Bowl, you won’t be the only one. 

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting Chat Transcript Part ll • Tuscaloosa News
Chat Transcript Part ll (12-03-08)

• Ian R. Rapoport: Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban named SEC coach of the year by the AP... and other awards! • al.com
In the wake of a difficult loss, there is some good news for Alabama fans. Well, besides the fact that the season won't end until the Sugar Bowl.

• Gentry Estes: Nick Saban, Julio Jones honored by SEC media • al.com
Alabama's Nick Saban is the 2008 SEC coach of the year, and former Foley standout receiver Julio Jones is 2008 SEC freshman of the year, according to the Associated Press' all-SEC media vote released today.

• Gentry Estes: Monday reading: The response from Utah • al.com
When it comes to the opposition, the "ho-hum" response circulating this site and others hints at Alabama's initial reaction to last night's Sugar Bowl announcement.

• Doug Segrest: Pat Dye: It's a popularity contest • al.com
The coaches in the Legends Poll, which does not count in the BCS standings, say Texas wasn't treated right.

• 2008 AP All-SEC Football Team Announced • SEC Sports
2008 AP All-SEC Football Team Announced

• This Week In SEC Men's Basketball - 12/8 • SEC Sports
This Week In SEC Men's Basketball - 12/8

• Bama moves in front for elite pass rusher • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
There is no question that one of Alabama's foremost needs in this year's class is a top-notch pass rusher, and the Crimson Tide is now the leader for one of the nation's best. 

• Better Version of? • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
De'Antwan Williams says Rutgers, West Virginia and Virginia seem most interested now.

• Tide youth grows up fast • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The nation's top-ranked signing class from 2008 made some heavy contributions to a 12-1 record for Alabama entering the bowl season, including Julio Jones (above). But it was one of the smallest senior classes in the nation that deserves the credit for helping the youngsters mature.

• King has Tide in top two • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
After another domino fell in Alabama's linebacker recruiting for 2009 Friday night with the commitment of Jonathan Atchison, the Tide still looks to press forward at the position and one of their targets is Memphis defender Greg King. 

• Saban, Jones honored in AP All-SEC awards • Crimson Confidential
The Associated Press released its annual All-Southeastern Conference football teams on Monday, with Alabama claiming two of the four major individual awards.

• Dennis Pillion: SEC Championship Game video highlights • al.com
2008 SEC Championship Game highlights

• Ian R. Rapoport: Were Sugar Bowl officials nervous about a repeat of last year? • al.com
One of the enduring memories of last year's Sugar Bowl was of Hawaii's Colt Brennan nearly being decapitated by the Georgia defense. In what was billed as a high-powered matchup between two of college football's best quarterbacks, only one of them was sacked eight times. It wasn't the Bulldogs' Matthew Stafford. 

• Bama in the NFL - Week 14 Game Stats:
Check to see how former players did this week

• Alabama Earns BCS Berth; Will Play Utah in Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 2 • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama football team has accepted an invitation to play in the 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl, it was announced Sunday. Alabama will be playing in its NCAA-leading 56th bowl game and s...

• Crimson Tide Holds Annual Football Awards Banquet • RollTide.com
The 2008 Southeastern Conference Western Division Champion University of Alabama football team held its annual awards banquet Sunday at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala. Alabama head football coac... 

• Big easy bound • Tuscaloosa News
Alabama headed to Sugar Bowl to face 12-0 Utah

• Crimson Tide first and 10 • Tuscaloosa News
Regardless of the outcome, anyone who didn’t appreciate Saturday’s game at the Georgia Dome simply isn’t a fan of college football.

• Cecil Hurt:  Disappointed Tide shouldn’t overlook Utah • Tuscaloosa News
Can Sugar ever be bittersweet?

• Ian R. Rapoport: Why Utah is the Sugar Bowl opponent... and other stuff! • al.com
So, Alabama is playing Utah in the Sugar Bowl. That's pretty cool. The 2008 version of the Crimson Tide may have failed in its quest to follow in the footsteps of the undefeated national championship team of 1992. But it does have a chance to end the year with a Sugar Bowl victory as that team did.

• Gentry Estes: So who's excited about Utah? • al.com
OK, so it's not very sexy.

• Alabama to face Florida Light in Sugar Bowl vs. Utah • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama said goodbye to Florida coach Urban Meyer after the Southeastern Conference Championship game. On Jan. 2, the Crimson Tide will say hello to his former team and one of his disciples.

• Bama to face Utah in Sugar Bowl • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama said goodbye to Florida coach Urban Meyer after the Southeastern Conference Championship game. On Jan. 2, the Crimson Tide will say hello to his former team and one of his disciples.

• Hillman, Gee shake Alabama out of basketball malaise against Lousiana-Lafayette • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Senario Hillman and Alonzo Gee shook Alabama out of the malaise that had plagued it against Alabama A&M on Tuesday and for the first 30 minutes against Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday. 

• Randy Kennedy: Loss doesn't detract from UA's season • Press-Register
ATLANTA — The right team will be representing the SEC in the BCS national championship game in Miami.

• Crimson Tide falls short in SEC title bid • Press-Register
ATLANTA - The only thing left to discover about Alabama's team was how it would greet a moment of such overwhelming finality.

• Crimson Tide faces Utes in Sugar Bowl • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - The same offensive system that propelled Florida past Alabama and into the national title game also helped Utah to an undefeated regular season.

• Alabama notebook: Tide's Mark Ingram battled through injuries in '08 • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama tailback Mark Ingram played through "some injuries earlier on" that helped create a feast-or-famine debut season for the standout true freshman. 

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Monday, December 08, 2008
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Eyeing the Utes • The Huntsville Times
Alabama may be favored, but Tide respects unbeaten Utah

• Eight SEC Teams Accept Bowl Game Invitations • SEC Sports
Eight SEC Teams Accept Bowl Game Invitations 

• Tide on a Sugar rush: Alabama to face Utah in Sugar Bowl • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama's football team ac­cepted an invitation to play in the Sugar Bowl on Sunday eve­ning, hoping to put a successful postscript to a Cinderella-type season that suffered its first set­back in the Southeastern Con­ference Championship Game the night before.

• QB CLUB: FSU assistant Jimbo Fisher to speak, Tide OL Caldwell to attend • Montgomery Advertiser
Will history repeat at the Montgomery Quarterback Club's season-finale tonight?

• LOCAL COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Defense paces Tide • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Senario Hillman scored six of Alabama's eight points in a decisive spurt midway through the second half to help the Crimson Tide cruise to a 61-44 win over Louisiana-La­fayette on Sunday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum. 

• Alabama settles for Sugar Bowl after losing SEC • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
A day after its SEC Championship Game loss to Florida, Alabama received its consolation prize.

• Replay opponent • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham had more than your average interest in Saturday’s SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Florida.

• College Football Notebook • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama
HOOVER — Alabama honored its team at its annual awards banquet Sunday at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover.

• 2008/2009 Bowl Matchups - Here We Go ... • College Football News
Here they are ... the 2008/2009 Bowl Matchups. It's Oklahoma vs. Florida for the national title leading one of the best BCS seasons ever. Ohio State, Alabama, Texas and Utah should make the BCS a blast, and there are several other great non-BCS games. Check out the matchups along with why each game might be good and why each could 

• Standout WR plans three official visits • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
The wide receiver recruiting board for Alabama is loaded with talent, and one of the top players on the list is Kevin Norwood of D'Iberville, Mississippi. Having just finished his senior season on Saturday, Norwood is ready to get down to business on the recruiting front. 

• Tide, Utes to square off on the bayou • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Alabama has won big games in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. So has Tide coach Nick Saban, during his days at LSU. On Friday, January 2, they'll try to do so together for the first time. Alabama (12-1, 8-0 SEC) will take on 12-0, 8-0 Mountain West Champion Utah in the 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl. 

• Coaches Comments On Sugar Bowl • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama takes football bowl games seriously, even if it’s not exactly what was hoped for. But that doesn’t mean every nuance is life or death. The Crimson Tide would have preferred to have played in the national championship game, but that opportunity was lost Saturday night. Instead Bama will be in the Sugar Bowl.  

• Defense Keys Tide Basketball Win • 'BamaMag
Alabama pulls away in second half to defeat Louisiana-Lafayette

• Coffee Named Alabama’s MVP • 'BamaMag
The Alabama football team, which will be going to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans to face Utah on January 2, had its annual awards banquet Sunday night and afterwards announced that junior running back Glen Coffee was named the team’s most valuable player.

• Trent satisfied with UA season • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama's loss to Florida in the SEC championship game was widely watched by multiple Tide targets and commits on Saturday, and one of the more interested observers was UA commit Trent Richardson. 

• Grading the Tide: Florida 31, Alabama 20 • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Mark Ingram and the rest of Alabama's running backs managed 136 yards on the ground against Florida Saturday. See how the backs and other positions fared with BOL's weekly report card. 

• UA well-represented in All-Star Classic • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
On an annual basis, the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic features a number of top targets for the Crimson Tide and this year is no exception.

• Tide takes Sugar Bowl bid • BamaOnLine
Coach Nick Saban and the Alabama football team accepted its first Sugar Bowl bid since its 1992 national championship season on Sunday, and will face Utah. 

• Sugar Bowl a shot at redemption for Alabama • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Twenty-five days from now, Alabama will try to do something it hasn't had to do all season — bounce back from a loss.

• Smith stays neutral for SEC Championship Game (video highlights included) • Crimson Confidential
Branden Smith watched Saturday’s SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Florida on TV. Afterwards, he wasn’t thrilled. He wasn’t disappointed either.

• A quick look at the Sugar Bowl • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Tide, Utes set to meet for first time 

• 9 Tide Players Named to Coaches All-SEC Team • RollTide.com
Alabama had more players on Coaches All-SEC team than any other school 

• Saban named national coach of the year • Tuscaloosa News
The University of Alabama's Nick Saban will be presented the Home Depot Coach of the Year Award as part of ESPN's College Football Awards show Thursday night.

• Coaches name nine Alabama players All-SEC • Tuscaloosa News
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The University of Alabama led all teams with nine players in 10 positions on the 2008 All-Southeastern Conference Coaches’ Football Team, announced Tuesday.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Nick Saban named Home Depot Coach of the Year, other Alabama players earn All-SEC honors • al.com
Yesterday, the members of the Associated Press had their say in handing out awards. Today, it was the coaches' turn. And Alabama had plenty of players honored as All-Southeastern Conference selections. But first, another honor for coach Nick Saban.

• Gentry Estes: Take a return trip through Alabama's 2008 season • al.com
Take a return trip through Alabama's 2008 season

• Gentry Estes: The awards keep rolling in ... • al.com
Alabama's run of postseason honors keeps growing. Today's developments ...

• LJS Takes A Bold Stand On First Day of All Star Practice • Crimson Country Club  (Members Only)
I am one of the few, if not only, living man who has seen at least one practice in all the 21 year history of the Alabama-Mississippi High School All Star Game. I am an encyclopedia on nothing but if I was, its this game. Fittingly, this game is trivial and means nothing. But that all said, I have to prop up my place in history here to elevate the meaningfulness of the following rant: 

• BOL opinion: Forward progress • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The Alabama football team fell just short of adding some serious hardware to its championship resume in 2008. BamaOnLine.com's Chase Goodbread puts a 12-1 Sugar Bowl season in perspective with a BOL Opinion column looking back on UA's best season in many years.

• Saban Named Finalist for Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award • RollTide.com
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is one of 10 finalists for the Football Bowl Subdivision Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Utah QB Brian Johnson: "We'll definitely show up and be ready to play..." • al.com
Just a quick thing on a slow news day... I got off the phone a few minutes ago with Utah quarterback Brian Johnson for a feature on the senior for later in the week. But as Johnson prepares to play Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, you wouldn't mind a little sneak peek, right?

• Gentry Estes: Tuesday reading: Tragedy in Mississippi • al.com
There's a very sad story out of south Mississippi today.

• Doug Segrest: SEC Awards: time to chime in • al.com
The Birmingham News will unveil its season-ending awards Wednesday. Here's your chance to tell us how you think the honors should be given.

• Ben Culpepper:  Alabama vs Florida SEC Championship Report Card • al.com
Alabama's dream season and national championship aspirations were crushed by Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide didn't make many mistakes but the few they did make were critical and led to a 31-20 loss in the SEC Championship. 

• Phil Paramore: SEC championship game was an instant classic • Dothan Eagle
Years from now, when somebody looks down the list of scores of the Southeastern Conference championship game, 31-20 might not suggest Saturday night’s contest between Florida and Alabama was the best one of its kind ever played. But make no mistake. It was.

• Fast Florida defender high on UA • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"I think Alabama is definitely a serious contender for him. You know, he committed to FSU so early. I didn't want him to change back and forth, but he's very impressed with Alabama..." 

• Saban Finalist For Coach Of Year • 'BamaMag
The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame selects national Coach of the Year winners in all four NCAA football divisions, and fan voting plays a part in the selection. Alabama Coach Nick Saban is among the finalists for the award.

• ALA-MISS ALL-Star Practice Report • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Tuesday morning practice report.

• With Croom out, Conner looking at Tide, Gators • Crimson Confidential
Mississippi State still doesn’t have a head coach. It may not have Montrell Conner much longer, either.

• Bama in the NBA - December 8th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Former Tide Golfer Joseph Sykora Qualifies for 2009 Nationwide Tour • RollTide.com
Former Alabama golfer Joseph Sykora qualified for fully exempt status on the 2009 Nationwide Tour following the completion of the PGA Qualifying Tournament on Monday in La Quinta, Calif. 

• Utes bear strong resemblance to Florida Gators • Tuscaloosa News
Kyle Whittingham didn't have to look far for a scouting report on the University of Alabama.

• Alabama lands six on All-SEC team; Saban, Jones earn individual honors • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Nick Saban has been named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year by the Associated Press, with Crimson Tide rookie receiver Julio Jones taking SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

• Andrew Bone: Crimson Tide headed in the right direction • Tuscaloosa News
The University of Alabama had a successful undefeated regular season and lost a heartbreaker in the SEC Championship Game, 31-20. The Tide will face Utah in the Sugar Bowl Jan. 2 in New Orleans, and recruits are taking notice of the direction of the Alabama program.

• Ian R. Rapoport: So, you want a ticket to the Sugar Bowl...? • al.com
I got a call this morning asking me for information about the sale of tickets to the Allstate Sugar Bowl between Alabama and Utah. I didn't have any. Then I started thinking about why I didn't have any... Turns out, no tickets are for sale to the general public.

• Saban is AP's SEC coach of the year, Jones is freshman of the year • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - After engineering the largest turnaround from year one to year two in Alabama football history, coach Nick Saban was named the Southeastern Conference coach of the year by The Associated Press on Monday.

• 30% of voters in USA Today coaches' poll think Texas should play for the national championship • The Birmingham News
Thirty percent of voters in the USA Today coaches' poll believe Texas should be playing for the national championship.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• McClain ranks with SEC's best • The Huntsville Times
Decatur native named All-SEC linebacker; Saban is coach of year

• Quarterback Club honors Alabama's Caldwell, others • Montgomery Advertiser
The sting of Saturday's loss to Florida is still there, but Antoine Caldwell was an awfully proud young man Monday night. 

• SUGAR BOWL: Utes happy to represent 'BCS busters' • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama is playing for pride and tradition. Utah is playing for the 51 teams that are eligible for the Bowl Championship Series but aren't automatic qualifiers.

• SEC FOOTBALL: Saban, Jones among award winners • Montgomery Advertiser
ATLANTA -- Tim Tebow guided his team to the national championship game and put himself in contention for another Heisman Trophy. So it was no surprise when the Florida quarterback claimed his second straight Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year award.

• Ex-Alabama star Samuels out for year • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels is out for the season with a torn right triceps, the latest blow for a Washington Redskins team that has sunk to last place in the NFC East.

• Molding the Bear: Basketball coach molded lives, now molds public figures • Dothan Eagle
ELBA — As a coach, Ken English helped mold young lives.

• Georgia TE giving Tide a look • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
If they had their way, the UA coaches would like to bring in a tight end as a part of the 2009 class. With two months left until signing day, they are making a late run at one of the South's finest. 

• ScoutTV: Michael Bowman Senior highlights • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Impressive elite receiver in 2008 highlights.

• Norwood Is Focused On Recruiting • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Kevin Norwood prepares for MS/AL All-Star game

• Janzen still set to visit Tide • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama has several prospects remaining on their wishlist that are committed to other schools, and one of the highest ranked recruits on the board is Lake Charles (La.) cornerback Janzen Jackson. 

• Film study: SEC championship game • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Things are always a little clearer a day later, especially when you've got pause, rewind and fast-forward buttons. I DVR Alabama's games every Saturday and then watch them again on Sunday, inevitably picking up on things I didn't see with the naked eye while at the game.

• Brooks Webster Earns AVCA All-Region Honors • RollTide.com
Outside hitter Brooks Webster received yet another honor recognizing her stellar junior campaign as the Baltimore native was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association South Region Team W...

• Former Alabama Assistant Ken Donahue Honored by AFCA • RollTide.com
Former Alabama defensive coordinator Ken Donahue will be the recipient of the American Football Coaches Association's Outstanding Achievement Award. The award will be presented, posthumously, to Do... 

• Lindsey Buteyn Named to SEC Community Service Team • RollTide.com
Senior Lindsey Buteyn was named to the Southeastern Conference's Community Service Team as announced by the league office. This is Buteyn's first recognition from the SEC for her efforts in the com... 

• Saban named co-SEC Coach of the Year, Smith snubbed for Jacobs • Tuscaloosa News
The University of Alabama’s Nick Saban was named co-SEC Coach of the Year by his peers Wednesday, along with Ole Miss’ Houston Nutt and Vanderbilt’s Bobby Johnson.

• Ian R. Rapoport: MSU is about to hire a coach... and Nick Saban gets one more honor • al.com
Two quick pieces of information for you... It's a rainy, dreary day, but Mississippi State fans might not think so. It appears the Bulldogs finally found a coach to take over for the deposed Sylvester Croom.

• Gentry Estes: SEC coaches award Nick Saban ... and that's it for individual awards • al.com
Per an incentive in his contract, Alabama's Nick Saban is set to receive an additional $25,000 by sharing the SEC coach of the year award in a vote of the league's coaches. 

• Gentry Estes: Wednesday reading: Scouting the Utes • al.com
Things have slowed down dramatically this week. Coaches are recruiting, and Alabama's football team is off before beginning preparation for the Sugar Bowl against Utah.

• SEC Football Individual Awards Announced • SEC Sports
Tebow, Berry, James, Green, Oher, Nutt, Johnson and Saban given league's top honors

• Ranking & Predicting All The Bowl Games • College Football News
Before the bowl season begins, which ones should you watch and which should you skip? While there are the obvious games to watch, like the national championship, others, like the New Orleans Bowl with Boris Lee and Troy facing a hot Southern Miss, are good ones you need to see. Check out the rankings and quick, early predictions for all the bowls.

• Top DB going to give Bama a shot • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"They've kept right on recruiting me like I was not committed. That tells me that they really want me and I appreciate that. That is why I'm going to at least take an official visit to see Alabama."

• Bayou DL keeping options open • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"I'm still talking to Coach [Bo] Davis on the phone and I'm still interested in Alabama. I like Alabama a lot." 

• ALA-MISS All-Star Week • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Scout.com is in Mobile, Ala. for the 22nd annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic which is played Saturday, December 13 at 1:00 p.m. at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium. We'll bring you daily practice reports, interviews and photos from the week-long practice and game. 

• Lights, Cameras, SEC Hoops Action! • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Conference basketball will get extraordinary television exposure

• PHOTO GALLERY: Alabama All Star Practice • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The Crimson Tide has two current commits and three targets playing in this week's Alabama Mississippi All Star Game for their home state of Alabama. Click here to check out action from yesterday's practice in BOL's exclusive photo gallery. 

• McCarron preps for All-Star Classic • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Tide quarterback commit AJ McCarron has had a busy few weeks, and it will only get more hectic in the coming days as he prepares to start in this Saturday's Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic. 

• AMP: Fluker and McCarron dominate in Mobile • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every breaks down the first day of practice for the Mississippi Alabama All-Star game in Mobile Alabama. Alabama commit "big" D.J. Fluker from Foley, AL headlines day 1 ... 

• VIDEO — Five questions with A.J. McCarron • Crimson Confidential
The Alabama quarterback

• Bama in the NBA - December 9th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Awards keep rolling in • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama’s instant hardware collection for the 2008 season had its first major national addition Tuesday when ESPN revealed that Nick Saban will be named Home Depot Coach of the Year as part of its college football awards showcase Thursday night.

• Redskins place Samuels on IR • Tuscaloosa News
ASHBURN, Va. | Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle and former Univeristy of Alabama player Chris Samuels was placed on injured reserve Tuesday as the Washington Redskins made a slew of moves following an injury-filled loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

• Former Tide golfer Joseph Sykora qualifies for Nationwide Tour • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Former Alabama golfer Joseph Sykora qualified for fully exempt status on the 2009 Nationwide Tour following the completion of the PGA Qualifying Tournament on Monday in La Quinta, Calif.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Nick Saban: "I know how badly our fans wanted (to win)... • al.com
... and we apologize for not getting it done better."
Usually, I TiVo The Nick Saban Show and watch it late Sunday night. It's not a bad way to remind myself of what happened in the game and to hear a different take from Saban. Except this week, after the SEC Championship game loss to Florida, I waited until today. Too bad. It was interesting.

• Gentry Estes: A peek at Alabama's 2009 schedule plans • al.com
Apparently, UA has started sending out copies of its potential 2009 football schedule to boosters and season-ticket holders.

• Doug Segrest: 2nd Annual SOS Awards • al.com
It was a strange year around the SEC this football season.

• Kevin Scarbinky: Biggest task for next AU coach: Can he stand up to Nick Saban? • The Birmingham News
It would be nice if the next AU football coach were as good a man as Tommy Tuberville, who proved that nice guys don't have to finish last.

• Alabama freshmen finally discuss a successful season • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Dont'a Hightower recalled taking one look at Alabama's phonebook-sized defensive playbook and shaking his head.

• Let's put to rest this Tide, Tigers BCS argument • The Birmingham News
Finally. We can settle at least one BCS argument. Auburn fans are right. Alabama fans are wrong.

• ALL-STAR CLASSIC NOTEBOOKCoaches find new NCAA rule open to interpretation • Press-Register
Most college coaches are steering clear of this week's Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, thanks to a new NCAA rule that puts postseason all-star games out of bounds for recruiting. 

• Bama + Sugar = Happy Utes • The Huntsville Times
Jan. 2 matchup with Tide almost as good as BCS title game for Utah

• COMMENTARY: An Empty UPS Envelope • TideFans
Publisher's Note: NashvilleTider posted this blog post last weekend in our TideFans Blog section. I read it and thought it was a wonderful read. He's given me permission to publicize it here. 

• ALABAMA FOOTBALL: Jones 'speaks' volumes on field • Montgomery Advertiser
He's easily the most heralded freshman receiver in the history of Alabama football.

• SEC FOOTBALL: Coaches honor 10 Alabama players, 2 from AU • Montgomery Advertiser
A league-high 10 players from Alabama were selected by the Southeastern Conference coaches for the 2008 All-SEC team, the league office announced Tuesday.

• Sugar Bowl landed its top choices • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Don’t understand how Alabama and Utah landed in the Sugar Bowl?

• Coaches’ All-SEC Football team • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
FIRST TEAM

• Saban earns incentive pay hikes • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama’s successful football season will net Tide coach Nick Saban a hefty payday. 

• Every Team's Best Bowl Moment • College Football News
From Homer Jordan and Clemson's national title win in the 1982 Orange Bowl to the Pete Giftopolous interception to give Penn State a Fiesta Bowl win over Miami to ... what was every 2008/2009 bowl team's best post-season moment? Richard Cirminiello goes back to provide the best memories of the bowl bunch. 

• Top safety taking visits • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
With the loss of Rashad Johnson after this year and of Justin Woodall and Ali Sharrief after next season, it's important that the Tide boost the numbers at the safety position. As recruiting looks to heat up during the winter months, Atlanta-Carver standout Darren Myles is a player to keep an eye on. 

• Random Stuff-- Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008 • Crimson Country Club  (Members Only)
Been too long… 

• Bumphis ready to do it all • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The Mississippi squad that is preparing to battle Alabama in this weekend's AL-MS All-Star Classic is loaded with top-tier wide receivers. One of the top slot weapons in the southeast is Chad Bumphis and he talks about playing in the game as well as his recruitment in this premium update.

• Tide making up ground for Rivals250 DE • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama's ideal attributes for the Jack linebacker position would be big, physical and athletic, and Yazoo City defensive end Fletcher Cox fits all three requirements. 

• PHOTO GALLERY: Mississippi All Star Practice • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Many Crimson Tide targets from the Magnolia state will be playing in the Alabama Mississippi All Star Game in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday.

• The Zoom Lens: Justin Woodall • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
BamaOnLine.com subscribers chose Justin Woodall for the subject of The Zoom Lens, an interactive feature that breaks down the performance of an Alabama player from the previous game. 

• ESPNU 150 safety decides to give Alabama a look (highlight video included) • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Alabama’s got a shot at the No. 1 free safety recruit in America. Not a great shot. But a shot nonetheless.

• Bumphis has three officials set, including Alabama (video highlights included) • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
MOBILE — Chad Bumphis could soon be coming to a Wildcat formation near you. But he's not tipping his hand as to which one just yet. 

• Andre Smith Wins Outland Trophy • RollTide.com
University of Alabama All-American and First-Team All-SEC left tackle Andre Smith is the 63rd recipient of the Outland Trophy, presented annually to college football's best offensive lineman or lin...

• Smith wins Outland Trophy • Tuscaloosa News
University of Alabama junior left tackle won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman Thursday night.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Andre Smith wins the Outland Trophy... and talks about the NFL draft... • al.com
As if you didn't know by watching ESPN, Alabama left tackle Andre Smith just won the 2008 Outland Trophy, an award given to the nation's best lineman. The Birmingham native allowed just one sack in a dominating year. He joins Chris Samuels as UA Outland winners. 

• Gentry Estes: Andre Smith: Outland Trophy winner • al.com
Alabama junior left tackle Andre Smith received the 2008 Outland Trophy tonight during ESPN's awards show, which is being broadcast live from Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

• Alabama's Smith wins Outland Trophy • Crimson Confidential
Alabama left tackle Andre Smith won the Outland Trophy as college football's top lineman on Thursday night in Orlando, Fla.

• Men's Basketball Hosts Texas A&M • RollTide.com
The Alabama men's basketball team (5-2) continues its month-long home stand with a Saturday night contest against the Texas A&M Aggies (6-1). The two teams will meet on Dec. 13 at 7:00 p.m. Central... 

• Coach Gottfried Press Conference Transcript • RollTide.com
Alabama men's basketball coach Mark Gottfried addressed the media Thursday in the Coleman Coliseum media room. 

• 4 Tide Players Named to Freshman All-SEC Squad • RollTide.com
Four University of Alabama football players were named to the 2008 SEC Coaches Freshman All-SEC Team, the league office announced today. 

• Baumhower Inducted into Dolphins Ring of Honor • RollTide.com
Former Alabama All-American and All-Pro defensive lineman Bob Baumhower will become the 18th member of the Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor this Sunday, December 14, during halftime ceremonies of the D...

• Four Tide players named SEC All-Freshman Team • Tuscaloosa News
Four University of Alabama football players were named to the SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman Team on Thursday, led by starters Julio Jones and Donta Hightower.

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting chat transcript • Tuscaloosa News
Chat transcript (12-10-08)

• Ian R. Rapoport: Four Alabama players named to freshman All-SEC team • al.com
OK, seriously, these are the last All-SEC awards to be announced. I promise. But anyway, this latest one was pretty good for Alabama.

• Gentry Estes: Alabama's hopes for a national player award are down to Andre Smith and the Outland • al.com
Alabama's football program could be honored twice during tonight's Home Depot College Football Awards, which will be broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 6:30 p.m.

• 2008 SEC Football All-Freshman Team Announced • SEC Sports
2008 SEC Football All-Freshman Team Announced

• B Harbach and R Mitchell: Blog...Y'all Play Nice. SEC Season Recap • College Football News
Every Thursday Brian Harbach and Russ Mitchell break down the SEC games you need to watch, the SEC questions you want answered, and of course, the SEC Power Rankings. All things SEC from two different SEC writers with two different SEC points of view. One of 'em always right. Now y'all play nice.

• Top Heisman Non-Winners, Mistakes, & More • College Football News
The greatest players to never win the Heisman, the biggest voting mistakes, and the greatest Heisman races.

• Tennessee star closing in on decision • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"Coach Saban is to come up here early next week. Then he's talking about taking his official visit to Alabama that weekend."

• ALA-MISS All-Star Week • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Scout.com is in Mobile, Ala. for the 22nd annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic which is played Saturday, December 13 at 1:00 p.m. at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium. We'll bring you daily practice reports, interviews and photos from the week-long practice and game. 

• ALA All-Star: D.J. Fluker • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Interview from Mobile.

• Why Weren't More SEC Coaches Fired? • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
All-SEC Freshman Team includes four Tiders, but Julio Jones wasn't unanimous

• Ala.-Miss. All-Star recruiting notebook • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Several top UA targets are in Mobile this week preparing for Saturday's AL-MS All-Star game. In this recruiting notebook, UA prospects such as Tana Patrick and Dre Kirkpatrick weigh in on their recruitment.

• UA basketball update • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The Alabama basketball team gets its stiffest challenge of the season to date this weekend against Texas A&M. Click here for BamaOnLine.com's weekly update on latest from the UA hoops squad. 

• North Jackson's Patrick working on a Top 5 (video highlights included) • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
MOBILE — His senior football season now in the rearview mirror, Tana Patrick is beginning to focus his full attention on his football future.

• Tide places four on All-Freshman team • Crimson Confidential
Jones, Ingram, Hightower, Boswell honored 

• VIDEO — Mark Gottfried's Thursday press conference • Crimson Confidential
Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried discusses Saturday's game with Texas A&M 

• Bama in the NBA - December 10th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• An unlikely hero • Tuscaloosa News
Utah QB goes from obscurity to BCS bowl

• Smith misses Lombardi Award • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Wednesday wasn’t an award-winning day for University of Alabama junior left tackle Andre Smith, but today might be. 

• So... how is Utah's offense preparing for Alabama's defense? • The Birmingham News
There has been a lot of talk, even with several weeks until the Sugar Bowl, about Utah's offense. It's tricky, it's effective, and it is really, really spread-based. No doubt, Alabama will spend a lot of time preparing for that.

• At least it's not Shreveport again • The Birmingham News
No doubt, Alabama fans had their minds set on a trip to Miami for the Bowl Championship Series national title game. No doubt, that has to be goal No. 1 when a team crosses from a collection of also-rans into the nation's elite. 

• COLLEGE BEAT • The Birmingham News
ALABAMA
Saban shares SEC coaching honor:

• Press-Register sports writer Tommy Hicks' Harris Interactive college football poll ballot • Press-Register
Press-Register sports reporter Tommy Hicks is one of 114 voters in the Harris Interactive football poll. Each week, his ballot, along with his brief analysis, is published in SEC Extra:

• SEC football by the numbers • Press-Register
Players in college football history who have won the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Trophy as the nation's best player and the Davey O'Brien Award as the country's top quarterback and played on two national championship teams, something Florida QB Tim Tebow can accomplish if the Gators beat Oklahoma in the BCS national championship game on Jan. 8.

• SEC matchup: Southeastern Conference vs. its reputation • Press-Register
For a conference that has produced the past two BCS national champions and has a chance to make it three in a row in January, the SEC could use another strong bowl season to restore some of its lost luster.

• Paul Gattis: SEC Rewind: If we knew then what we know now • The Huntsville Times
So we began the year with Phillip Fulmer the coach at Tennessee and ended it with Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin the coach at Tennessee. 

• SEC Coaches Awards • Montgomery Advertiser
Tide stars denied top honors
Alabama has enjoyed a wealth of postseason awards bestowed this week on the Southeastern Conference West Division champions.

• Arrest warrant for dad of Tide’s Ingram • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — An arrest warrant has been issued for former New York Giants star Mark Ingram Sr. after he failed to report to federal prison on money laundering and bank fraud charges.

• Meridian QB talks recruiting • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
With the departure of Sylvester Croom from Mississippi State, some thought that Meridian quarterback Tyler Russell, a longtime MSU commit, might soon be on the market again. 

• Recruiting decisions coming soon • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With 19 commitments already committed to Alabama, it's become clear that the Tide staff is going to have to make some tough cuts down the stretch. With many prospect decisions coming up, BOL takes a look at where UA stands which each position and what may come next.

• Ala.-Miss. All-Star Wednesday Hot 11 • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
On the second day of practices at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, Chad Bumphis was one of the players that continued to have an impressive showing. There are also some new names among the Hot 11 for ... 

• Tide in running to land No. 1 receiver for second straight year (video highlights included) • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Alabama got the No. 1 rated wide receiver prospect in the country last year. Now it’s trying to do it again.

• Russ Mitchell: Mitchell Blog: The SECCG was NOT a Classic • College Football News
One (realistic) writer's take on the much ballyhooed SEC Championship game, and the recently departed "#1 Team" in America

• Cane DB commitment will take other trips • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
DB Kayvon Webster has a few other trips planned.

• Bama in the NFL - Week 15 Game Stats:
Check to see how former players did this week

• Bama in the NBA - December 11th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Firm foundation • Tuscaloosa News
Recruiting top talent hasn’t come easy for Utes

• Smith wins Outland Trophy, Saban named Coach of the Year • Tuscaloosa News
Although the University of Alabama football team wasn’t able to bring home a championship this season, it did land some prestigious hardware Thursday.

• Ian R. Rapoport: So, you want a ticket to the Sugar Bowl...? (Part II) • al.com
In our never-ending quest to find you guys tickets to the Sugar Bowl, we at The Rap Sheet have come up with another option. You remember this post, where you learned about some package deals. Another way might be just as interesting.

• Gentry Estes: Nick Saban: "This should be the team of the year award" • al.com
At least one benefit of a wildly successful season?

• Alabama left tackle Andre Smith wins Outland Trophy • The Birmingham News
Andre Smith arrived at Alabama in 2006 from Huffman High School as the nation's top-rated lineman recruit.

• COLLEGE BEAT • The Birmingham News
ALABAMA
Four on freshman All-SEC team:

• Tide's Andre Smith wins Outland Trophy • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Junior left tackle Andre Smith received the 63rd Outland Trophy on Thursday night, making him the first Alabama player since Mobile's Chris Samuels in 1999 to be named college football's best interior lineman.

• Uncommitted players look to get noticed at Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic • Press-Register
You can forgive Antowan Westry for not knowing Wallace Gilberry's story.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Friday, December 12, 2008
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Tide's Smith wins Outland • The Huntsville Times
Junior left tackle projects to be top-five pick in April's NFLdraft

• Jess Nicholas: Recruiting: QB, RB may be set, but what about WR? • TideFans
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be breaking down Alabama’s recruiting targets and needs. This first installment will cover quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. The second installment will look at tight ends/fullbacks/H-backs and offensive linemen. 

• Alabama's Andre Smith Wins Outland Trophy • SEC Sports
Alabama's Andre Smith Wins Outland Trophy

• ALABAMA FOOTBALL: Saban, Smith snatch awards • Montgomery Advertiser
After two near-misses, Andre Smith struck gold on Thursday night when he was named the 2008 recipient of the Outland Trophy.

• COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Tide, Tigers well represented on SEC all-freshman team • Montgomery Advertiser
Four Alabama players and three Auburn players were among the 30 freshmen selected by the Southeastern Conference coaches to represent the league's all-freshman team.

• College Football Notebook • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
All-SEC Freshmen
Julio Jones leads four Alabama players named to the Coaches Freshman All-SEC team announced Thursday. 

• Tide’s Smith collects Outland • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
University of Alabama All-American and first-team All-SEC left tackle Andre Smith is the 63rd recipient of the Outland Trophy, presented annually to college football’s best offensive lineman or linebacker.

• Four from Tide make Freshman All-SEC squad • Dothan Eagle
Alabama’s football team is wrapping up final exams this week, but postseason honors keep coming for the Crimson Tide. 

• 2008 CFN All-Freshman Team • College Football News
Who were the best new players in college football this season? It was a fantastic year for new quarterbacks, but it was Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers who was the Offensive Freshman of the Year. Check out the 2008 CollegeFootballNews.com All-Freshman Team. 

• 2008 CFN All-Freshman Second & HM Teams • College Football News
The 2008 CollegeFootballNews.com All-Freshman Second and Honorable Mention Teams.

• 2008 CFN All-Sophomore Defensive Team • College Football News
Who were the best second year defensive players in college football this season? Tennessee safety Eric Berry was one of the few bright spots in the dismal Volunteer season, and he was the best of the sophomore defenders. Check out the 2008 CollegeFootballNews.com All-Sophomore Defensive Team.

• UA checking out JUCO star DL • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"Coach [Bo] Davis came by to get my tape and took it for Coach Saban to see. They're supposed to get back with me real soon to let me know if they're offering me. If they offer, I would definitely have serious interest in them."

• Tide commits hitting the books • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
In this academic update on several Tide commits, find out the latest on big Rivals250 WR Michael Bowman's progress in the classroom as well as the latest on Rod Woodson, Anthony Steen and Anthony Orr.

• Confidential Info: Dec. 12 • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
In today's edition of Confidential Info, read about three players who will join the Alabama team in time for spring practice, as well as how the Auburn coaching search might affect Crimson Tide recruiting:

• Richardson says Saban well-deserving of coach-of-the-year honors (video highlights included) • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Trent Richardson wasn’t in Orlando Thursday night to see Nick Saban receive his National Coach of the Year Award. He didn’t even get to watch it on ESPN. But if Saban had needed an introduction speech prior to stepping on stage, Richardson certainly could have provided that. 

• Women's Basketball hits the road to take on MTSU • RollTide.com
The women's basketball team will pack its bags and travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn. for a matchup with Middle Tennessee State on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4:00 p.m. (CST). The game will be broadcast on CSS.

• Smith, Cody named FWAA All-Americans • Tuscaloosa News
University of Alabama junior left tackle Andre Smith and junior nose guard Terrence Cody were named All-Americans by the Football Writers Association of America on Saturday. 

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting Chat Transcript Part ll • Tuscaloosa News
Chat transcript part ll (12-10-08)

• Gentry Estes: Two Tide players named FWAA All-Americans • al.com
And now, more postseason awards ...

• ALA Cruises 28-3 over MISS All-Stars • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
The Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic was dominated by the Alabama team led by quarterback AJ McCarron. Scout.com was impressed by several incredible performances as we recap the game's highlights. 

• UA represented in Rivals250 • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The latest version of the Rivals250 has been released, and the Tide is well-represented throughout the new elite list with nine total commitments and a host of other targets. Check inside for a rundown on these prospects including expert opinion on some of the big movers.

• McCarron, Alabama stars roll to 28-3 win • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
MOBILE — Long after the Alabama All-Stars had finished off a dominating 28-3 win in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, University of Alabama quarterback commitment A.J. McCarron stood near mid-field with a wave of onlookers, signing an autograph for a young fan.

• Bama in the NBA - December 12th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Senior Men's Basketball Duo Alonzo Gee and Brandon Hollinger Graduate Saturday • RollTide.com
Two Alabama senior basketball players - guard Alonzo Gee and guard Brandon Hollinger - will receive undergraduate diplomas Saturday morning. 

• Simply the best • Tuscaloosa News
Alabama natives recall ‘Greatest Game Ever Played’

• Steele’s contributions don’t show up in stats • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | When it comes to numbers in college basketball, they seldom tell the whole story, especially with a simplistic statistic like points scored.

• Cecil Hurt: Finding the right coach isn’t easy • Tuscaloosa News
After the University of Alabama’s most recent search for a football coach, UA athletics director Mal Moore was asked what he would have done if his trip to Miami to secure the services of Nick Saban proved unsuccessful.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Congratulations to a few December graduates... • al.com
The Alabama basketball team plays Texas A&M today, but that's not why it's a huge day for Crimson Tide seniors Alonzo Gee and Brandon Hollinger. Both are walking in graduation ceremonies this morning because they have earned their diplomas in three and a half years. 

• Ray Melick: Auburn needs its own Nick Saban • The Birmingham News
While the merry-go-round that is the Auburn coaching search continues (hopefully Jay Jacobs is collecting frequent-flyer miles), one thing is clear. 

• ALABAMA-MISSISSIPPI ALL-STAR FOOTBALL CLASSIC NOTEBOOK • The Birmingham News
Yeager credits 355-pound Fluker:

• Gee pulls daily double with graduation and a game against Texas A&M • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alonzo Gee's hot streak will continue this morning when he wakes up, dons a shiny robe, and walks in Alabama's December graduation ceremony. It's a foregone conclusion that the senior earned a degree in Consumer Sciences in three and a half years.

• Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic rosters full of soon-to-be SEC players • Press-Register
When Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron drops back to pass today, his blind side will be protected by D.J. Fluker, a 6-foot-7, 340-pound mountain of man.

• Still finding perfect touch • The Huntsville Times
Shooting slump doesn't worry Bama's Hollinger

• SEC Championship Game Sets CBS Ratings Record • SEC Sports
SEC Championship Game Sets CBS Ratings Record 

• COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Tide looks for tussle with Aggies • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama's one major-confer­ence opponent to this point of the season handed the Crimson Tide a 23-point thrashing in Ha­waii earlier this season. Crim­son Tide head coach Mark Gott­fried certainly hopes to see a better performance from the Tide in tonight's game with Tex­as A&M.

• SPORTS BRIEFS: Several Tide football players to earn degrees • Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery's An­toine Caldwell contin­ues to blaze a path off the field in addition to his exploits on the grid­iron. The Alabama sen­ior will walk across the stage at Coleman Coli­seum today and receive his second undergradu­ate degree from the university.

• Alabama faces Texas A&M • Dothan Eagle
Alabama’s basketball team will try for the A&M sweep tonight.

• All Star Week Juggles Rankings • Crimson Country Club  (Members Only)
You can learn a lot about a kid by reading about him. You can learn a lot more by just reading between the lines. You can learn even more than that by watching video highlights of him play on the internet or on a television show or report. 

• All-star analysis: AL-MS stars • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every breaks down some of the top performers from Thursday's practices at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic in Mobile including top Tide targets Chad Bumphis and Tana Patrick.

• Alabama-Mississippi Notebook: Kirkpatrick still wide open, even if receivers aren't • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
MOBILE — Receivers have had trouble getting free against Dre Kirkpatrick during practice for today's Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, but the ESPNU 150's recruitment remains wide open.

• Fluker feeling at home on offensive line (video highlights included) • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
MOBILE — If there's one player participating in this week's Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic who passes the eyeball test immediately, it's D.J. Fluker. 

• Bama in the NFL - Week 15 Game Stats:
Check to see how former players did this week

• Women's Basketball:
Middle Tennessee State 77, Alabama 67

• Four Tide players heading to Senior Bowl • Tuscaloosa News
The University of Alabama football team will have four players participating in the Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile.

• The 2009 Top 25 Heisman Contenders • College Football News
Most of the top players that would be Heisman candidates in 2009 will leave early, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of interesting prospects in the race. Here are the top 25 contenders for the 2009 Heisman chase both with and without the potential early entries.

• Mingo, West Monroe fall short in state finals • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Sentimore, Destrahan prevail 

• Men's Basketball:
Texas A&M 86, Alabama 78 OT - box score

• Bama in the NBA - December 13th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Men's Basketball falls in overtime to Texas A&M 86-78 • RollTide.com
The Alabama men's basketball team fell in overtime to Texas A&M 86-78 Saturday night at Coleman Coliseum.

• Aggie-nizing loss • Tuscaloosa News
Tide blows late lead, loses in overtime 

• Moore a big part of Tide’s Sugar Bowl history • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Mal Moore has been a participant in the Sugar Bowl so many times, he’s lost count. 

• Tide commitment named MVP • Tuscaloosa News
MOBILE | Quarterback AJ McCarron put on a show for the home folks, but he had a little help from a cast of stars.

• Gentry Estes: Coming to Bryant-Denny: "The Fail Room" • al.com
Here's a lighthearted note you might enjoy ...

• Gentry Estes: Alabama drops overtime heartbreaker to Texas A&M • al.com
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama's basketball team let a big one get away tonight.

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Will Chizik become Saban's new favorite snack? • The Birmingham News
Gene Chizik? As head football coach? At Auburn? 

• Alabama rolls over Mississippi in high school all-star classic • The Birmingham News
MOBILE - Mississippi fired the first shot Saturday. The history books will say that about the 2008 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Classic at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

• Off-season for some Alabama seniors vindicated in classic • The Birmingham News
Stars return to form in classic:

• Sound Off • The Birmingham News
UA fans still live in the past: 

• Alabama stung in OT, 86-78 • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - It was there. It was tangible, nearly close enough to touch.

• Hightower of power: Tide freshman LB turning heads on and off the field • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - At the time, he was a drop in the bucket, a prospect welcomed into a top-ranked signing class of which he was never a prominent member. 

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Sunday, December 14, 2008
This is a special Sports Sound Off about the hiring of Gene Chizik as Auburn's head football coach Saturday. Because of the large number of calls received, not all comments can be published. 

• Hightower makes mark • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - At the time, he was a drop in the bucket, a prospect welcomed into a top-ranked signing class of which he was never a prominent member.

• Alabama recruits power All-Stars • The Huntsville Times
McCarron is MVP, but Fluker paved way for 28-3 win 

• Alabama lets one get away • The Huntsville Times
Tide leads late but falls to Texas A&M in overtime

• Jess Nicholas: Breaking down the Gene Chizik hire • TideFans
If you'd asked me a couple of weeks ago who I thought would be, from Alabama's standpoint, the best-scenario hire Auburn could make for its head coaching position, I would have given you two names: Patrick Nix and Gene Chizik.

• SEC Men's Basketball Roundup - December 13th • SEC Sports
SEC Men's Basketball Roundup - December 13th

• ALABAMA FOOTBALL: Smith, Cody named to All-America team • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama left tackle Andre Smith and nose tackle Terrence Cody are among the 25 play­ers named to the 2008 Football Writers Associ­ation of America's All-America team.

• ALABAMA BASKETBALL: Aggies outlast Tide in overtime, 86-78 • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Josh Carter scored 23 points and Texas A&M defeated Alabama 86-78 in overtime on Saturday night.

• Andrew Schmidt: Auburn should have learned from Bama • The Gadsden Times
Thank you, Auburn University, for the past 10 days. It had been nearly 23 months since this fine state had been able to wrap itself in the sheer absurdity of a coaching search.

• Tide loses lead, game to Aggies • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Alabama let a winnable basketball game against a good opponent slip away late, and lost in overtime to Texas A&M, 86-78. Alabama did not make a field goal in the extra period and was outscored 13-5 in overtime before a Coleman Coliseum crowd announced at 9,316.

• Bama pursuing pass rushers • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Perhaps the Tide's biggest need on the defensive side in this class is at least one top notch pass rusher. The Alabama staff is in pursuit of several linebacker/defensive end types with the ability to pressure the quarterback. 

• Barnes & Michigan Part Ways • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Ft. Wayne (IN) Homestead LB Jordan Barnes has reopened his recruitment.

• ALA-MISS All-Star Game: Photo Gallery • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
A collection of images from the Alabama sideline.

• AL/ MS observations… • Crimson Country Club  (Members Only)
28-3 Bama win

• Saban visits Myles • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
On Friday morning, Rivals100 safety Darren Myles prepared to take an official visit to Purdue. Before he could get on the plane, however, he had a visit from Tide Coach Nick Saban who had a special message for the top athlete. 

• Texas A&M tops Alabama in OT • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alonzo Gee scored a team-high 19 points, but it wasn't enough as Alabama fell to Texas A&M in overtime, 86-78 at Coleman Coliseum. BamaOnLine.com looks at the Crimson Tide's third loss. 

• Notebook: Tide prospects headline Classic • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
MOBILE — The Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic might as well be renamed the “Alabama Crimson Tide Futures Game.”

• Alabama suffers 'Aggie-nizing' overtime defeat • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
An Alabama basketball team that has lost in every way imaginable in recent years may have come up with a new one on Saturday night.