Bama in the News

November 22 - 30, 2008

• Women's Basketball:
Alabama 69, Hampton 60

• Women's Basketball Defeats Hampton 69-60 • RollTide.com
Sophomore Katie Hancock and freshman Ericka Russell combined for 29 points to lead Alabama over Hampton 69-60 Saturday at the Hampton University Convocation Center.

• SEC Scores:
Tennessee 20, Vanderbilt 10

• Ian R. Rapoport: Hello from the Bizarro World... • al.com
Today is really a day that makes me think we're living in the bizarro world. Ya know, like on Seinfeld and Superman. First of all, it's the fall and Alabama isn't playing football. That was odd during the first bye week, but it's downright ridiculous during the second bye week.

• Gentry Estes: Week in review: Common foes look to the Iron Bowl • al.com
So it's another bye weekend for Alabama ... and this one seems to be testing everyone's patience a bit more, what with two really big games on tap in the coming weeks.

• Chris's Blog - Saturday November 22nd • Chris Stewart Sports
1:30 a.m. CST (9:30 p.m. HST) - Aloha....again.

• How Special Teams Help Bama Win • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
“Special teams” refers to all aspects of kicking teams--more situations than in any other in football. There is a perception that those who can’t play offense or defense play on special teams. That’s not entirely without basis, because young players frequently begin play on kicking tgams, but a team that doesn’t have good players on its kicking teams is not likely to have success. 

• Randle is getting started • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
BASTROP, La. — The nation's top-ranked wide receiver is making his first official visit this weekend to the nation's biggest game of the weekend as Texas Tech travels to Norman to take on the Oklahoma Sooners.

• BOLevision: Auburn • BamaOnLine
BOL staffers Travis Reier and Chase Goodbread put a lid on UA's bye week and look ahead to Saturday's meeting with rival Auburn.

• Johnson says Crimson Tide players keeping mum on national title possibilities • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
It’s a little bit like that stray bit of cranberry sauce that will be hanging off Aunt Bertha’s chin next Thursday. Everybody sees it. Everybody knows about it. But no one wants to say anything about it.

• From rivals to teammates • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | It’s the most exciting five seconds in University of Alabama football, and it happens numerous times every game.

• Alabama women face first road test • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama women’s basketball team travels to take on Hampton for the Crimson Tide’s first road test of the season today at 5 p.m.

• Tide’s Vaughn to compete in women’s NCAA championships • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Freshman Sara Vaughn will travel to Terre Haute, Ind. this weekend to compete at the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships hosted by Indiana State University. The race will take place on the LaVern Gibson Championship Course located at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center. Vaughn qualified for the NCAA Championships last weekend as an individual qualifier.

• UA men to compete in NCAA Cross Country Championships • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The fifth-ranked men’s cross country team will travel to Terre Haute, Ind. this weekend to compete at the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships hosted by Indiana State University. The race will take place on the LaVern Gibson Championship Course located at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center. Alabama enters the weekend with its highest ranking in school history and is coming off a sixth place finish last season, which marked the highest finish in school history.

• Alabama women’s golf signs Jennifer Kirby • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama women’s golf coach Mic Potter announced the signing of Jennifer Kirby to a National Letter of Intent. Kirby will come to The University of Alabama from Paris, Ontario Canada.

• Tide softball adds Nicole Yancey to ’09 class • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama coach Patrick Murphy announced the signing of Nicole Yancey to a National Letter of Intent. Yancey will join the Tide from Whitesburg, Ga. where she currently plays at Central Carrollton High School.

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting Chat Transcript Part ll • Tuscaloosa News
Chat transcript Part ll (11-19-08)

• Ray Melick: Kids commit to people, not places • The Birmingham News
If you haven't heard of Demont Buice, chances are you will.

• SEC Football Leads the Nation in Defense • SEC Sports
SEC Football Leads the Nation in Defense

• Givings and misgivings • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Special teams have been a firestarter all season for the Alabama football team, but the opposition has benefited from the fireworks as much as the Crimson Tide. As the Auburn game approaches, BamaOnLine.com examines a wild season for the kicking game. 

• Home visits often final piece to recruiting puzzle • Crimson Confidential
The lifeblood of any college football program is recruiting. The best recruiters do a good job of covering all the bases and leaving no stone unturned.

• Volleyball:
Friday Night: South Carolina 3, Alabama 0

• Volleyball Drops Match to South Carolina • RollTide.com
The volleyball team (15-12, 8-10 SEC) suffered a 3-0 loss Friday at South Carolina (20-8, 11-7 SEC) in the Volleyball Competition Facility.

• Bama in the NBA - November 21st Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

Bama in the News will not be updated until Monday, November 24th

• 2009 Recruiting:
DE Chris Bonds commits

• Iron Bowl week arrives • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Every week, University of Alabama coach Nick Saban has a clear, concise message for his team depending upon the opponent and circumstances.

• Tide faces mirror image of itself • Tuscaloosa News
LAHAINA, Hawaii | It’s a long trip, one which even the nation’s best college basketball teams hope will be a journey of discovery.

• Alabama volleyball falls to No. 14 Florida • Tuscaloosa News
GAINESVILLE, Fla. | The University of Alabama volleyball team dropped a 3-0 match on Sunday to No. 14 Florida at the O'Connell Center. With the loss, the Crimson Tide dips to 15-13 on the season and 8-11 in the Southeastern Conference. The Gators improve to 23-3 overall and 17-2 in league play.

• Andrew Bone: Alabama lands Scout.com four-star • Tuscaloosa News
Chris Bonds, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Scout.com four-star defensive end from Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, S.C., has committed to the University of Alabama.

• Ian R. Rapoport: A new order behind No. 1 Alabama in the BCS... and a commitment! • al.com
So, because Alabama didn't have a game this weekend, I took a drive with the Banktress to the middle of Mississippi to visit some of her family, eat some good barbecue, and ride a four wheeler through the woods. And seriously, if you think it's comical that I'm from New York and say "you guys" instead of "y'all" then you really need to see me on an ATV. Good times.

• Gentry Estes: Texas now second behind Alabama in BCS rankings • al.com
In case you missed it, here are tonight's updated BCS standings after Texas Tech's blowout loss at Oklahoma last night ...

• Doug Segrest: Bring on those Iron Bowl predictions • al.com
Now is the time to come up with your best effort. Give me a score and give me a reason. Try to summarize in 100 words.

• Ray Melick: Forget BCS, we have the Iron Bowl • The Birmingham News
Forget the BCS standings for a day or two. 

• Alabama knows what's at stake, while top-tier bowls jockey for the Tide • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Nick Saban isn't a coach who feels the need to explain to his Alabama players what is at stake in this year's Iron Bowl.

• Tigers triumph over Tide would help salvage year • The Birmingham News
AUBURN - The man who has engineered the longest Auburn winning streak in Iron Bowl history will try to weave his magic again Saturday, but this time with a losing record in what may be the Tigers' last stand in 2008.

• In BCS, logic need not apply • The Birmingham News
The top of the Bowl Championship Series standings reverted to old form Sunday. Whether No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Texas, who began there in reverse order last month, remain on top is another question.

• Chaos rules in the BCS • The Birmingham News
There will be no simple solution now for who plays in the BCS national championship game. Voters could end up with a very difficult decision next week between Oklahoma and Texas for a spot in the Big 12 championship game. Let the debate begin.

• Alabama faces tough test in Maui Invitational • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - The Alabama men's basketball team is not lacking for reasons to accelerate its learning curve.

• Tommy Hicks: Season's end should be interesting • Press-Register
Want to know just how wacky this college football season has been and is likely to continue to be? Take a look at all the polls that came out on Sunday for a hint. There seems to be as much confusion as there is certainty. 

• Alabama center Justin Knox's rebounding a key against Oregon in the Maui Invitational • Press-Register
Coaches approached Alabama's 6-foot-9 sophomore center Justin Knox the day after a season-opening loss to Mercer.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Monday, November 24, 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. 

• Arenas carries 'swag' • The Huntsville Times
A few fumbles didn't dim return man's confidence

• Tide hopes to star on the big stage • The Huntsville Times
Alabama takes on Oregon tonightin Maui tourney

• Jess Nicholas: Auburn preview: Alabama has to break the streak – now • TideFans
Forget the talk about how this wasn’t supposed to be Alabama’s year, how the Crimson Tide has overachieved, how the big prize comes in a week when Alabama plays for a conference championship.

• Jess Nicholas: SEC preview and predictions – Week 14 • TideFans
The last week of the SEC regular season brings with it a host of rivalry games and several contenders for upset special of the week. Alabama, of course, hosts Auburn in a game that is big in so many ways. Florida has Florida State, and when was the last time both the UA-AU... 

Bama in the News will not be updated until Wednesday or Thursday.
Sorry for the inconvenience.

• Bama in the NFL - Week 13 Game Stats:
Check to see how former players did this week

• Top pass-rusher headlines weekend visitors • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Dozens of top prospects will be in attendance for Saturday's Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium, including one of the top pass-rushers in the country making his official visit.

• Week 14 Pigskin Picks • Crimson Confidential
Week 14 of the Pigskin Prognosticators of Prodigious Proportions. Last week we went 7-3 to up the overall record to 83-38 for 2008. 

• Women's Basketball Set for No. 7/8 Louisville • RollTide.com
Just hours after its 28-point win on Tuesday, the Alabama women's basketball team (3-1) packed its bags and headed over 2,000 miles west to take part in the Nugget Classic hosted by the University ... 

• Volleyball Hosts Mississippi State Friday • RollTide.com
The volleyball team (15-13, 8-11 SEC) will host Mississippi State (6-24, 1-18 SEC) Friday in the CAVE for the final match of the 2008 regular season.

• Against all odds • Tiger Illustrated
CLEMSON – Dabo Swinney remembers climbing from his bedroom window and onto the roof as a child, trying to escape the venom and violence that accompanied his father's heavy drinking.

• Series Preview: Alabama vs. Auburn • RollTide.com
Alabama and Auburn meet for the 73rd time on Saturday. Read about why the series was halted for 41 years and some of the Iron Bowl's Thanksgiving weekend clashes.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Crimson Tide defensive back Ali Sharrief finds his calling... • al.com
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. Clearly, there are several children at Woodland Forrest Elementary School doing exactly that for Alabama's Ali Sharrief. I wrote about the do-gooder today in a heart-warming story of a guy who just wants to help others. This is real community service. Check out a quick video of Sharrief talking with the children:

• Ian R. Rapoport: Happy Thanksgiving... and our special section! • al.com
Good morning everyone and Happy Thanksgiving. A monster turkey is going on hour four in the smoker, the family has invaded my house, and I'm ready to watch some bad NFL games. Oh, coach Nick Saban said Happy Thanksgiving, too. 

• Gentry Estes: Thanksgiving wishes from Nick Saban • al.com
It's always an odd feeling at this point. College football teams are gearing up for a really big game, fans can discuss nothing else, those of us in the media are neck deep in preview sections and stories, everyone keeps getting more and more excited as the buildup continues and the game draws very close and then ... screech!!! ... all of a sudden the brakes go on for Thanksgiving.

• Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone • 'BamaMag
In the grand scheme of things, football games may not be so important. Considering how much the outcome of games means to so many, though, even as we give thanks for all we have, we are hoping for more.

• Southeastern Region Blessed  • 'BamaMag
The Southeastern Region boasts the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the country, and the region has claimed the recruiting national championship three of the last four years. The entire region is blessed this season with elite commitments already on board for the class of 2009.

• Alabama-Auburn: How they match up • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
It's T-minus three days until the Iron Bowl, and the coaching staffs at Alabama and Auburn are hard at work identifying where their respective advantages and disadvantages lie. BamaOnLine.com's matchup preview breaks down this year's rivalry classic position by position. 

• College Football's Biggest Surprises of 2008 (So Far) • Bleacher Report
This year has been typical in that there have been many surprises for fans to talk about. Let’s recap a few of the biggest be they good or bad.

• Bama in the NBA - November 26th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Tide Has Good Practice as Iron Bowl Nears • RollTide.com
The No. 1 ranked Alabama football team worked for two hours in full pads Wednesday afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility as the team continues preparation for Saturday's annual game with t...

• Speedy Tigers hoping to defuse Bama offense • Tuscaloosa News
AUBURN | While thinking about his future, Chris Evans remains focused on the task at hand.

• Tide’s Sharrief befriends kids at Woodland Forrest • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | When they sit at the short round table in the corner of the room, the rest of the world ceases to exist.

• Crimson Tide ‘learned a lot’ in two wins in Maui tourney • Tuscaloosa News
LAHAINA, Hawaii | The University of Alabama men’s basketball team concluded its mixed Maui experience on an upswing Wednesday, defeating St. Joseph’s 58-48 to win the consolation bracket of the Maui Invitational.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Iron Bowl perspective

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
11/26 - Nick Saban

• Why is Colin Peek eligible for the Crimson Tide's bowl game? • Tuscaloosa News
By now you probably saw the news that Alabama tight end Colin Peek will be eligible for the bowl game, wherever it may be. Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said so on his weekly radio show tonight, and this was the post about it.

• Ray Melick: Tuberville's confident; is it enough? • The Birmingham News
Tommy Tuberville strolls casually into his post-practice interview, apologizing for making reporters wait.

• Alabama's season in review • The Birmingham News
ALABAMA'S SEASON IN REVIEW 11-0 OVERALL, 7-0 SEC AUG. 30

• Iron Bowl: A loss now could wipe out Tide's good work all season • The Birmingham News
For all Alabama has accomplished this year, a loss in Saturday's Iron Bowl could be fatal to the Tide's chances to play in the BCS title game.

• Biggest Iron Bowl mismatches • The Birmingham News
You can't throw out the records in this one, especially when the records are stacked in one team's favor. Based on the disparity between the teams in victory totals and the AP poll and intangibles such as coaches with one foot out the door, The Birmingham News ranks the top five mismatches in Iron Bowl history going into the game.

• Iron Bowl: Kodi Burns carries Auburn with his arm and legs • The Birmingham News
AUBURN - Languishing on the sideline was no place for quarterback Kodi Burns. Not in the fifth game of the season. He thought it, the head coach knew it, the fans pretty sure agreed.

• Iron Bowl: Coaches, scouts size up Alabama's and Auburn's strengths, weaknesses • The Birmingham News
Auburn's defense, said LSU head coach Les Miles, is as talented as any. 

• Iron Bowl: Auburn kicker Wes Byrum holding on in yo-yo season • The Birmingham News
AUBURN - The preseason All-SEC punter lost his job before the first game and the guy who beat Florida and Arkansas with last-second field goals last season has simply lost his way.

• Iron Bowl: Learning at the hip of a legend, Tiffin excels for Tide • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA -- Years ago, Van Tiffin spent time tutoring local children who held dreams of kicking footballs through uprights. His wife, Jill, said fine, but with one caveat. 

• Sharrief, fifth-graders make time each week • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - He roams the headquarters of the world's biggest Ali Sharrief fan club. Sporting a crimson sweatshirt and a shy smile, he embraces the teachers and waits for the onslaught.

• Sound Off • The Birmingham News
Extra week helps Tide: 

• Thanksgiving week is made for the Iron Bowl • The Birmingham News
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville suggested that the Iron Bowl be played one week earlier. He'd prefer the teams host a nonconference game this week, to allow rest before a possible appearance in the Southeastern Conference title game.

• Tide mauls Hawks in Maui • The Birmingham News
LAHAINA, Hawaii - Alonzo Gee shook off an early-season slump to score 19 points and lead the Alabama men's basketball team to its second win in as many days.

• Iron Bowl: For John Parker Wilson, less has been more this season • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - The weight has been lifted off John Parker Wilson's shoulders. The mind-numbing adjustments that clouded his judgment are old news for the Alabama quarterback. The oodles of keys that overwhelmed his ability to synthesize a defense are sooooo 2007.

• SEC coaches' votes may play role in figuring out BCS • Press-Register
As though college football coaches didn't have enough to worry about this time of year, their votes in the USA Today Coaches poll will help determine which team in the Big 12's South Division goes to that conference's championship game.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Thursday, November 27, 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. 

• Bill Bryant: Feels just a bit like 1994 • The Huntsville Times
Current Tide resembles Stallings' team 14 years ago Fourteen years can go by in a hurry. Yesterday, my oldest was eating my keys. Today, she's putting them into the ignition of my car. 

• Burns more at ease under Ensminger • The Huntsville Times
AU's interim offensive coordinator shows confidence in QB

• WALKING A FINE LINE • The Huntsville Times
Offensive and defensive fronts always have big say in Iron Bowl games

• 2008 SEC Football Coaches Press Conference • SEC Sports
2008 SEC Football Coaches Press Conference 

• SEC Men's Basketball Roundup - November 26th • SEC Sports
SEC Men's Basketball Roundup - November 26th 

• IRON BOWL: Tide's D-line could be the key • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- The deci­sion to switch from Chris Todd to Kodi Burns at quarterback six weeks ago represented a change in philosophy for the Auburn offense.

• ALABAMA NOTEBOOK: Tide seniors get last shot to beat Auburn • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama's nine seniors are well aware of their place in Crimson Tide history.

• COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Tide wins two of three in Hawaii • Montgomery Advertiser
LAHAINA, Hawaii -- Alonzo Gee emerged from his season-long slump with 19 points and eight rebounds, helping Alabama to a fifth-place finish in the 25th Maui Invitational with a 58-48 win over St. Joseph's at the Lahaina Civic Center on Wednesday. 

• Iron victory would mean plenty to Alabama line boss Caldwell • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama center Antoine Caldwell lightly jogged from one drill to another on the practice field Tuesday. During the slow run, he repeated the words over and over again, Tiger week, Tiger week.

• Gee whiz: Alonzo leads Bama win • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alonzo Gee had 19 points and eight rebounds to lead Alabama to a 58-48 victory over Saint Joseph�s on Wednesday in the fifth-place game of the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

• Alabama’s strength lies up the middle • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — Strength up the middle.

• Auburn bracing for Tide’s Julio Jones • Dothan Eagle
AUBURN — Members of Auburn’s secondary would be lying if they said they didn’t know what to expect from Alabama’s Julio Jones.

• The Huddle: Iron Bowl 2008 Edition • Dothan Eagle
The Huddle: Iron Bowl 2008 Edition

• SEC Fearless Predictions, Nov. 29 • College Football News
Previews and Predictions for the Week 14 SEC Games

• Spoiler alert this weekend with plenty of rivalry games on tap • USA TODAY
There is great pleasure playing spoiler. Doing it against your rivals only makes it sweeter.

• The new ‘AJC’s The Georgia 150’ is released • AJC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s list of the top 150 college prospects in the state, dubbed the “AJC’s The Georgia 150,” has been updated and released.

• Prospects flocking to town • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Prospects will flock to Tuscaloosa this Saturday to watch top-ranked Alabama's final home game of the season. Some will come on official visits. Most will be on unofficial visits. 

• Cody Benefited From Open Date • 'BamaMag
Thanksgiving is a time when family gathers together. In the case of the Nick Saban family, that includes a few extras. The Crimson Tide football “family” will practice a little early Thursday so those Bama players whose homes aren’t too far from Tuscaloosa can go to their homes for the holiday. As for the others, they’ll join the Sabans for Thanksgiving dinner.

• Corky Simpson Still Voting Bama No. 1 • 'BamaMag
Corky Simpson knows what it’s like to lead the parade, in more ways than one. When Alabama went to number one in the nation midway through this season, it was the first time the Crimson Tide football team had been ranked first since the final poll of the 1992 season.

• Thankful Tidings • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
When Rolando McClain took this fumble return for a score against Kentucky, it turned out to be one of the most fortunate and critical ball bounces of an 11-0 season for the Crimson Tide. On Thanksgiving, BamaOnLine.com examines a few plays UA should be most thankful for this season. 

• Fast start vs. Auburn would be big change for Alabama • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Quick quiz — Who was Alabama's quarterback

• SEC Scores:
Ole Miss 45, Mississippi State 0

• Doug Segrest: Talking football • al.com
With a day to kill before the Iron Bowl, I have a couple of interesting reads and a couple of questions for your consideration.

• Tide overwhelming choice among prospects • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With the Iron Bowl Saturday several of the Tide's top targets and commitments stepped to the plate with a prediction for the nation's top rivalry. While many refer to a rivalry as a "throw out the record" kind of game that isn't the case with the recruits who have Alabama as an overwhelming favorite to continue their run at a national championship while starting a streak of their own.

• Ivan Maisel: Saban keeps efficient, powerful Tide rolling along • ESPN
Oklahoma states its case, Texas states its outrage and Alabama remains above the fray.

• FRIDAY FLASHBACK: Alabama 25, Auburn 18 (Dec. 1, 1979) • RollTide.com
Top-ranked Alabama beat Auburn 25-18 at Legion Field as Stedman Shealy's 8-yard TD run in the fourth quarter was the winning score.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Has the (Crimson) Tide turned in the Iron Bowl rivalry? • al.com
It's one of the biggest questions in sports right now, at least around here. And, as amazing as it is, it is being asked before Alabama has taken the field and attempted to snap its six-game losing streak to Auburn.

• Gentry Estes: Rain is rolling into Tuscaloosa ... • al.com
I've just returned from Bryant-Denny Stadium, where I gave an interview that will air tonight on NBC15 in Mobile, and got my first real feel for tomorrow's Iron Bowl. The big scoreboard and electronic side boards were on. The field was freshly painted. Yep, it's about that time.

• Blue-chip LB ready for Bryant Denny to shake • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Blue-chip linebacker Tana Patrick of Stevenson-North Jackson remembers the Alabama-Auburn game last season. "The stadium was shaking." 

• Iron Bowl Hosting Recruits • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
The Iron Bowl has finally arrived, and prospects will pack the stands Saturday afternoon for the annual Alabama vs. Auburn contest. The final outcome of the game will not likely have an effect on a recruit’s decision, but a victory certainly doesn’t hurt. Alabama was expected to host four official visitors, but two will reschedule. 

• SEC Scout.com Pubs' Predictions: Week 14 • 'BamaMag
Rivalry week is alive and well in the SEC.

• Inside the Tunnel • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Iron Bowl 2008 is just a day away, and anticipation is high for an Alabama fan base with conference and national championship hopes. Come Inside the Tunnel as BamaOnLine.com looks at this year's game from every angle.

• BOL Picks Panel Contest • BamaOnLine
Win a free year of BOL picking college games head-to-head against BOL staff, media, and ex-UA standouts like Roger Schultz (Biggest Loser), and 2004 team captain Todd Bates.

• Five matchups to watch on Saturday • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Slowly but surely, the personnel gap between Alabama and Auburn is narrowing.

• Prep preview: Sentimore last man standing • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Darrington Sentimore was the only 2009 Alabama football commit who was able to be thankful on Thursday that his team is still alive for a state championship.  

• Men's Basketball: The Word From Hawaii 7 • RollTide.com
Before the Alabama basketball team left Tuscaloosa for Maui, head coach Mark Gottfried had a simple vision of what he wanted this team to accomplish on the trip. To be concise, it merely focused o...

• Iron Bowl is motivation for injured Auburn players • Tuscaloosa News
AUBURN | When Auburn University’s football season ends, Zac Etheridge might have to undergo shoulder surgery. He just doesn’t know when it might be. 

• Bama wants to ‘change the mindset’ of Auburn Tigers • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Even though he originally hails from the Sunshine State, University of Alabama junior nose guard Terrence Cody didn’t even have to play against Auburn to get a feel for the rivalry.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Saban on Bryant-Denny: • al.com
"We need to make this a place they don't ever want to come back to again."
Well, the Thanksgiving holiday is over, the tremendously delicious smoked turkey has been devoured, and it's time for football to come to the forefront again. That's good news.

• Chris's Blogs - Thursday November 27th - HAPPY THANKSGIVING! • Chris Stewart Sports
6:00 p.m. CST (2:00 p.m. HST) - Aloha means goodbye.....Oh, and I dang near died out here.

• Kevin Scarbinsky: More Auburn fans want more than the Iron Bowl • The Birmingham News
The balance of power has started to shift. 

• Has Tide turned or is this an Auburn aberration? • The Birmingham News
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville held up seven fingers for some troops in the Middle East this spring. Who knew the image would have a better chance of representing Auburn's 2008 loss total than extending its Iron Bowl winning streak to seven?

• Alabama ready to stop Auburn's returner Dunn • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - The challenge of limiting Robert Dunn's explosiveness is an immense one. No Alabama player doubts that. 

• It'll take more than one Tide win • The Birmingham News
On the front of today's Birmingham News sports section is a story on the balance of power in the Alabama-Auburn football rivalry.

• It's not exactly comparing apples to apples. ... • The Birmingham News
...But Alabama has had a much smoother spike to the top of the BCS than Auburn's attempt four years ago.
Preseason rankings: No. 26 in coaches' poll, No. 24 in AP poll. Ranked victories: No. 9 Clemson, No. 3 Georgia, No. 15/16 LSU. Opponents' record: 71-65 (.522), counting Florida in SEC Championship Game.

• Auburn looks to extend Iron Bowl streak • Press-Register
AUBURN - Since Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville jokingly held up seven fingers this summer after winning a flag football game with troops in the Middle East, the finger-pointing and finger-wagging has slowed to virtually nothing.

• Cody embraces extra time off • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Few players on Alabama's team were happier to receive an off weekend than big nose tackle Terrence Cody. 

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Friday, November 28, 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. 

• Jones' production has matched hype • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - Between his dazzling YouTube moments and the tsunami he prompted by signing with Alabama, freshman receiver Julio Jones arrived for the 2008 season as an instant celebrity. 

• Too fired up? Saban warns against runaway emotions • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - No number of words can match the actual experience.

• Alabama notebook • The Huntsville Times
Cody relishes off week for knee's rehab 

• UA's Arenas pays big returns • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Javier Arenas had a simple philosophy, one that explains his three fumbles this season as well as his disdain for fair catches. 

• Fans of AU, UA gear up for game • Montgomery Advertiser
The annual clash between Alabama and Auburn is a day away, and even though the No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide is a heavy favorite, River Region Auburn fans boldly forecast a big upset.

• ALABAMA NOTEBOOK: Tide wraps up Iron Bowl preparations • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama held practice a little earlier on Thanksgiving Day, wrapping up preparation for this year's Iron Bowl before sitting down to a holiday meal.

• UA-AU tickets at record high prices • Montgomery Advertiser
BIRMINGHAM -- Alabama's No. 1 ranking is pushing up prices for this weekend's Iron Bowl.

• AU's Byrum trying to kick miserable sophomore slump • Montgomery Advertiser
AUBURN -- The question never occurred to Kodi Burns. Auburn's quarterback is close friends with kicker Wes Byrum, whose sophomore season has been a disaster. Missed field goals have undermined the Tigers throughout the second half of their disappointing 2008 season.

• AUBURN NOTEBOOK: No hate among Iron Bowl players • Montgomery Advertiser
AUBURN -- There will be no hate on the field Saturday.

• Mike DuBose’s journey • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Mike DuBose is on the cusp of that elusive national title — finally.

• Crimson Tide will avoid fall to Auburn • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
What if Auburn wins Saturday? 

• Recruiting has swung to UA since Saban arrived • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
For high school players from the state of Alabama, it often comes down to a choice between two programs.

• Bama seniors want to finish season the right way • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — He is Alabama’s alpha dog. Out front, leading the way, screaming at his teammates.

• Auburn defenders respectful of Tide WR • Dothan Eagle
AUBURN — Members of Auburn’s secondary would be lying if they said they didn’t know what to expect from Alabama’s Julio Jones.

• The 10 Best Current Rivalries • College Football News
While the BCS currently defines college football compared to the rest of the sports world, the rivalries are a close second. So which ones are the ten biggest of all-time and which are the best ones going right now? Here are our choices for the ten best along with the signature games in each series. 

• Streaks on the line in UA-AU game • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
In a regular season that has seen undefeated and top-ranked Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC) exceed every single preseason expectation placed on it by the so-called experts, there is still one opponent left to play -- Auburn (5-6, 2-5 SEC). At 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, the two rival programs will meet for the 73rd time inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in front of what figures to be a packed house of crimson-clad supporters. 

• Stats Advantage Goes To Alabama • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Famed Kentucky Basketball Coach Adolph Rupp was speaking at Alabama’s basketball banquet in the early 1970s. He spoke of Grantland Rice, the famous sportswriter, as being “a smart guy, a Vanderbilt graduate.” But he disagreed with Rice to some extent on why the games are played. 

• PETE’S PIGSKIN PROGNOSTICATIONS • 'BamaMag
Traditional rivals on tap for this week, with only Vandy not going for a season-saving game against a hated foe. This is my last set of picks for the year, so ya’ll will have to find someone else to kick around for basketball season. Happy Holidays, everyone!

• Nine who could make the class • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
For Alabama, there are a handful of prospects who if the Tide could steal even one would cause a big stir on the national recruiting scene. Most are considered long shots, but all have mentioned the Tide frequently. Check inside for a rundown of nine prospects that could push the Tide's class over the top.

• Football:
Alabama 36, Auburn 0

• SEC Scores:
Georgia Tech 45, Georgia 42

• 10 game-shaping plays • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Eryk Anders recorded a sack for a key play in UA's win over Auburn. Check out BamaOnLine.com's 10-game shaping plays from Alabama's 36-0 win in the 2008 Iron Bowl.

• Alabama Beats Auburn 36-0 • RollTide.com
No. 1 Alabama used a potent running attack combined with a stifling defense to beat Auburn 36-0 to go to 12-0 for the first time in school season in school history. The Crimson Tide, 12-0, was led ... 

• SEC Football Roundup - Saturday, November 29th • SEC Sports
SEC Football Roundup - Saturday, November 29th

• Instant Analysis: Auburn-Alabama • College Football News
LSU? Check. SEC West? Check. Snap a six-game losing streak in the Iron Bowl? Check. It’s been some kind of season for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Having navigated their regularly-scheduled 12-game gauntlet without a single defeat, Nick Saban’s crew only needs to foil Florida next week to play for the national championship. 

• Notes From Tide Romp Over Auburn • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama will attempt to become the seventh team in college football history to reach the 800-win plateau when the Crimson Tide plays in the Southeastern Conference championship game next Saturday. Alabama has an all-time record of 799-314-43, a winning percentage of 71 per cent. 

• Money up front • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama beat Auburn Saturday night the same way it has beaten each of its 12 regular-season opponents: at the line of scrimmage. Noseguard Terrence Cody (above) and the rest of UA's big people proved once again, they are money up front.

• Nick Saban's post-Auburn news conference • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama head coach Nick Saban addressed the media following his team's 36-0 win over arch-rival Auburn Saturday afternoon. 

• 10 game-shaping plays • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Eryk Anders recorded a sack for a key play in UA's win over Auburn. Check out BamaOnLine.com's 10-game shaping plays from Alabama's 36-0 win in the 2008 Iron Bowl. 

• Alabama snaps streak, ends season undefeated • Tuscaloosa News
The Alabama Crimson Tide put the perfect topping on a delectable regular season with a 36-0 pounding of in-state rival Auburn in the annual Iron Bowl contest.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Six-game losing streak... over! Alabama 36, Auburn 0 • al.com
Loudest. Rammer Jammer. Ever.

• Seeing off the seniors • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
John Parker Wilson and a small core of nine scholarship seniors will play their final home game for the Crimson Tide this afternoon against archrival Auburn. BamaOnLine.com takes a look at what the group has meant to a turnaround season at the Capstone. 

• Bama in the NBA - November 28th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Women's Basketball:
Friday Night - Louisville 73, Alabama 56

• Volleyball:
Friday Night - Alabama 3, Mississippi State 0

• Football Gameday • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama football team closes out the 2008 regular season with the annual Iron Bowl against Auburn. The top-ranked Crimson Tide host the Tigers for a 2:30 p.m. (CST) kickoff from B...

• Women's Basketball Tripped up by Louisville 73-56 • RollTide.com
Despite a solid effort, the women's basketball team dropped a tough game to No. 7/8 Louisville 73-56 in the first round of the Nugget Classic at the Lawlor Events Center. 

• Volleyball Closes Out Regular Season with 3-0 Win Over Mississippi State • RollTide.com
The Alabama Volleyball team sent its senior class out with a 3-0 win over Mississippi State. 

• Tide eager to start a streak of its own • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | A total of 2,569 days have passed since the University of Alabama last defeated its arch-nemesis, Auburn, in a football game.

• STAFF PICKS: Alabama vs. Auburn • Tuscaloosa News
Here are the staff picks for today's Iron Bowl match against Auburn at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

• THE CALL by Tommy Deas • Tuscaloosa News
Each week, Executive Sports Editor Tommy Deas breaks down the match-up between Alabama and its opponent. Here's his take on this week's SEC showdown against Auburn.

• EA SPORTS PREPLAY: Alabama D pitches shutout • Tuscaloosa News
Each week we let the computer battle itself in EASports NCAA 2009 on Playstation 3. We'll post the results each week on Game Day to see how close the simulated game plays to the real thing.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Predictions, anyone? (Game 12)... the Iron Bowl edition! • al.com
I would say you've waited all year, but it's been longer than that. One streak is six years long. Another goes a lot longer.

• Gentry Estes: Countdown to the Iron Bowl ... • al.com
AUBURN (5-6, 2-5 SEC) at No. 1 ALABAMA (11-0, 7-0) 

• Doug Segrest: Week 14 predictions • al.com
It's rivalry week. I should've posted earlier, so I could predict Ole Miss' rout of Mississippi State. Better late than never.

• Ray Melick: Tide must win to complete domination • The Birmingham News
The first day Nick Saban stood behind the podium in the Alabama football building as head coach of the Crimson Tide, the first day Alabama fans were introduced to the "process" and the first of the many "aaiights" that serve as Saban's verbal punctuation to an important point, he laid out the plan. 

• Alabama will try to do against Auburn what it has done all year • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - The formula for winning is well established. It is simple, efficient and has been effective in every game this season.

• Tigers D-line looking to slow Tide runners • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Glen Coffee, Mark Ingram, Roy Upchurch and Alabama's 27 rushing touchdowns will be running head first into Auburn's strength today.

• Papajohns.com Bowl could benefit from an Alabama loss • The Birmingham News
It's come down to this for the Papajohns.com Bowl: Birmingham needs Alabama to lose the Iron Bowl for the SEC to play in the Dec. 29 bowl against the Big East at Legion Field.

• 5 THINGS TO WATCH NATIONALLY • The Birmingham News
1. Rivalry week. Nothing beats a rivalry game with a national championship at stake. Talk about some serious stress. Imagine if you're Florida, Alabama or Oklahoma and you lose your shot at the national title by falling to your archrival.

• Tide, Tigers retailers stock up on shirts • The Birmingham News
AUBURN - The Tiger Rags store in Auburn sells a T-shirt with a picture of a tiger and an elephant gazing into a crystal ball that proclaims, "I see seven in your future."

• Tigers not getting much credit • The Birmingham News
The annual Associated Press survey shows 24 of 26 state sports writers pick Alabama to beat Auburn today, with the two weird guys hailing from in or near Lee County. Don't the Auburn Tigers deserve a little more love than that?

• Iron Bowl buzz • The Birmingham News
IRON BOWL BUZZ
This game will determine ...:

• Tommy Hicks: Iron Bowl has plenty of subplots • Press-Register
Here we are at the end of the college football regular season, on the eve of the Iron Bowl, and there is so much that can still take place.

• Alabama's offense easy to diagnose but tough to stop • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Paul Rhoads may just as well receive a copy of Alabama's game plan.

• Auburn offense facing big obstacle in Alabama's Terrence Cody • Press-Register
AUBURN - Offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger will be calling today's game from the coaches' booth. Center Jason Bosley will be snapping the ball with a 365-pound behemoth lined up over him.

• Top-ranked Alabama's players say they're focused on Auburn • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - The prelude to the next chapter in college football's fiercest rivalry is a grainy photo taken months ago on the other side of the planet. 

• 2008 Iron Bowl by the numbers • Press-Register
Losses in Tuscaloosa for Auburn, which has won in all six of its visits to the Crimson Tide's home. Auburn defeated Alabama in Tuscaloosa 48-0 in 1895, 17-0 in 1901, 9-0 in 2000, 17-7 in 2002, 21-13 in 2004 and 22-15 in 2006. 

• Five reasons Alabama could win Iron Bowl • Press-Register
TIME OF POSSESSION Alabama's offensive plan this year has been remarkably simple.

• Five reasons Auburn could win Iron Bowl • Press-Register
THE DEFENSE IS HEALTHY AGAIN Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks says he's feeling as great as he's felt since the Vanderbilt game. That might not seem like a big deal, but it's worth remembering that the Vandy game is when Auburn's injury bug bit and the Tigers' season started unraveling.

• Iron Bowl game by game: Auburn on a tear in the past decade • Press-Register
2007 in Auburn Auburn 17, Alabama 10

• Press-Register's staff predictions: Alabama overwhelming pick to win Iron • Press-Register
Before last year's Iron Bowl, the collection of Press-Register staff members correctly predicted a seven-point Auburn victory. Eighteen of 20 Press-Register sports reporters predict a different winner this season ? and by a more comfortable margin of 26-14. It's worth pointing out that only three Iron Bowls in the past 27 years have been decided by 12 or more points.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Saturday, November 29, 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. 

• Paul Gattis: Mood soggy on Iron Bowl eve • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - There were three ways to look at Iron Bowl eve Friday.

• Charmed season • The Huntsville Times
Injuries were rare, schedule fortuitous for Crimson Tide

• One offense clicked, one clunked • The Huntsville Times
Kodi Burns' voice didn't reek of bitterness so much as disappointment. 

• Top-ranked Alabama's players say they're focused on Auburn • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - The prelude to the next chapter in college football's fiercest rivalries is a grainy photo taken months ago on the other side of the planet.

• Iron Bowl notes • The Huntsville Times
This year's lunchbox-mentality, imposing-your-will thing with the Alabama offensive line has a final regular-season test Saturday against Auburn.

• SEC Women's Basketball Roundup - November 28th • SEC Sports
SEC Women's Basketball Roundup - November 28th

• SEC Volleyball Roundup - Friday, November 28th • SEC Sports
SEC Volleyball Roundup - Friday, November 28th 

• IRON BOWL: 'It's not just another game' • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama coach Nick Saban knows the Iron Bowl is more important to the people who pay him than any other game on the schedule. But that doesn't stop him from trying to prepare the top-ranked Crimson Tide in exactly the same way as the previous 13 weeks. 

• TIM GAYLE'S FIRST AND 10: Ten reasons why Alabama should win • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- It's time for another Iron Bowl, a 31/2-hour battle that rarely lives up to the 365 days of hype that precedes it. But that's the way it is here, where grownups pin their hopes and sanity on a bunch of 20-year-old kids.

• IRON BOWL: Big job ahead for AU center • Montgomery Advertiser
AUBURN -- Jason Bosley has been playing college ball for five years.

• JAY G. TATE'S FIRST AND 10: Difficult days ahead for AU assistants • Montgomery Advertiser
A Long December: These are uncertain times for Auburn's offensive assistants.

• IRON BOWL: Who's got the edge? • Montgomery Advertiser
Comment: The change from Chris Todd to Kodi Burns in the last five games seems to have solidified the position for Auburn but UA's John Parker Wilson will be starting his third Iron Bowl and there's no substitute for experience at this position.

• IRON BOWL: 24 of 26 journalists favor Tide • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama is the favorite of 24 out of 26 state newspaper sports editors and college football writers heading into today's game with Auburn. The average score from their annual Iron Bowl predictions: Alabama 24.2, Auburn 12.6.

• IRON BOWL: Tigers receive a vote to beat Tide -- sort of • Montgomery Advertiser
This is just perfect -- I finally get the coveted "prediction" spot in this Game Day tab and there is exactly one local game to predict.

• Something special on line for Tide • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — He's coach who likes to treat every game as the same, but Alabama�s Nick Saban recognizes the importance of the Iron Bowl.

• College Football Notebook • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Auburn
AUBURN — Quarterback Kodi Burns has shown steady improvement since taking over five games ago as Auburn’s starting quarterback. 

• ‘7’ missing from Tigers’ vocabulary • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
AUBURN — All week, the word “seven” has been absent at Auburn.

• Auburn gunning for No. 1 • Dothan Eagle
AUBURN — Treat the best like the rest: It’s the Tommy Tuberville way. 

• Alabama ready to end streaks • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — This year’s Iron Bowl isn’t about what comes next. It isn’t about what’s already happened, either. 

• Game Day Preview: Alabama vs. Auburn • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Here's a position-by-position breakdown of today's game between the Crimson Tide and Tigers:

• Bama in the NFL - Week 13 Game Stats:
Check to see how former players did this week

• Saban, Johnson Honored by Little Rock Touchdown Club • RollTide.com
The Little Rock (Ark.) Touchdown Club has announced its annual post-season honors and Alabama head coach Nick Saban was named the SEC Coach of the Year, while senior free safety Rashad Johnson was ...

• Coach Nick Saban: SEC Championship Game Teleconference • RollTide.com
Alabama and Florida will meet in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 6. Here are some comments from UA head coach Nick Saban regarding the Tide's game with No. 2 Florida. 

• 2008 SEC Championship Game: Alabama vs. Florida • RollTide.com
Alabama (12-0, 8-0 SEC) and Florida (11-1, 7-1 SEC) will meet in the 2008 SEC Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. (CST) at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The game will be nationally tele...

• SUNDAY REWIND: Alabama 36, Auburn 0 • RollTide.com
Here is a look back at Alabama's 36-0 win over arch-rival Auburn on Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium. It was UA's largest win over AU since 1962 and the most points scored by the Tide since 1977 w... 

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Iron Bowl sights and sounds

• Ian R. Rapoport: Florida's Urban Meyer: Harvin is questionable. • al.com
Just got off a teleconference with Alabama coach Nick Saban and Florida coach Urban Meyer. Lots of interesting stuff to talk about and write about, which is what I'm doing now...

• Gentry Estes: Roy Upchurch "questionable" for SEC title game • al.com
Alabama tailback Roy Upchurch continues to struggle with neck spasms and is "questionable" for Saturday's SEC title game against Florida, according to Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.

• 2008 SEC Championship Coaches Press Conference • SEC Sports
2008 SEC Championship Coaches Press Conference 

• 2008 SEC Football - Week 15 Sunday Notebook • SEC Sports
2008 SEC Football - Week 15 Sunday Notebook

• Meyer, Saban preview SEC title tilt • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Both head coaches of the teams in Saturday's SEC Championship game participated in a teleconference this afternoon to give media some material for their game previews. Both Florida's Urban Meyer and Alabama's Nick Saban had some interesting things to say, even outside the "coach speak." 

• Craig Sanders talks Tide, Gators • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Craig Sanders, defensive end from Ariton, Ala., projects as one of the top players in the state for 2010. He has collected several scholarship offers and many more are expected. He was in Tuscaloosa for the Auburn game, and he also talked of the SEC Championship game. 

• Jeremy Richardson talks Iron Bowl • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Elite 2010 wide receiver returns from T-town.

• Moore talks Iron Bowl • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Carver lineman Brandon Moore was one of the few in-state prospects who didn’t make it to the Iron Bowl Saturday. But Moore, 6-foot-5, 320-pounds, did watch the annual in-state battle at home with his friends and he came away impressed with Alabama’s dominant effort.

• Meyer: Harvin still questionable with ankle injury • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Florida all-purpose standout Percy Harvin remains questionable for Saturday's Southeastern Conference championship game with a sprained ankle, Gators coach Urban Meyer said Sunday. 

• Percy Harvin still questionable for SEC Championship Game • Tuscaloosa News
University of Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin, a big-play threat as both a receiver and a runner and one of the the top offensive players in the Southeastern Conference, is doubtful for Saturday's SEC Championship Game against Alabama.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Alabama is No. 1 in the BCS, but... • al.com
As expected, after Alabama's 36-0 smackdown of Auburn, the Crimson Tide are atop the BCS Standings. Of course. It's been that way since Nov. 2. 

• 2008 Bowl Championship Series Standings • SEC Sports
2008 Bowl Championship Series Standings

• BCS Analysis & Breakdown - The Major Glitch • College Football News
Oklahoma knocked Texas out of the top two of the latest BCS rankings and will be playing Missouri for the Big 12 title. Longhorn fans, don't be mad at a BCS system set up to determine teams for the national title, be mad at the Big 12 for the tie-breaker. Pete Fiutak shows why it was the wrong way to decide the South in the breakdown and analysis of the top ten teams in the latest BCS rankings.

• Bayou speedster talks about visit • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"It was a good game. I had a good time. The crowd was loud and really into it."

• Iron Bowl win impresses Tennessee star • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"The fan base caught my attention. The crowd was as loud as it could possibly be from the start to the end," he says. "I was also liked how the team really took it to Auburn."

• Prospects watch Bama blow out Auburn • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
As expected the Crimson Tide hosted several prospects on visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend. Here's a rundown of those spotted at the game. 

• Teague blown away by Tide win • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
One of the fastest rising prospects in the southeast finally got a chance to take in a game to the Capstone and this electric athlete now has the Tide entrenched near the top of his list.

• Tana takes in Tide win • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Rivals100 linebacker Tana Patrick is one of the most quiet prospects in the 2009 class. In fact, Patrick, 6-foot-3, 215-pouds, is one of the few remaining who have yet to cut their list of favorites but Saturday the North Jackson standout was in Tuscaloosa to watch the ... 

• Alabama still No. 1, but new No. 2 • Crimson Confidential
Alabama held onto the No. 1 spot in the BCS rankings for the third straight week on Sunday, though there is a new national No. 2.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Alabama-Auburn, the day after... (Beatdown in T-Town edition!) • al.com
How does this one feel the morning after? Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said that while it's "special, I know it'll mean a lot more to me in a couple of months, a couple of years. But it's awesome."

• Gentry Estes: Sunday Morning QB: Alabama 36, Auburn 0 • al.com
Unless you have ties to this state, it's difficult to understand exactly what win No. 12 meant for the University of Alabama.

• Tide Running at Full Speed Into Showdown With Gators • The New York Times
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — If something else, something more emphatic, was expected of No. 1 Alabama, it was delivered here early Saturday evening.

• Matt Hayes: What we learned: Perfect Tide rolls Auburn • Sporting News
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- You just know Nick Saban is feeding off this. Week after week we're inundated with talk of Big 12 controversies and Florida's surging second half of the season. 

• Dick Weiss: Alabama rolls over Auburn, sets SEC title clash with Florida • NY Daily News
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - With a 36-0 Iron Bowl win Saturday, unbeaten and top-ranked Alabama planted its flag at the top of the mountain and set up the mother of all SEC title games in the process.

• Gregg Doyel: Whoa, Tide: Why raise Gators' ire? Enjoy Iron-clad win • CBS Sportsline
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- A victory like this, like Alabama's 36-0 thrashing of rival Auburn, should be savored. That's why I'm not mentioning what will happen next week to Alabama and its No. 1 ranking and its national title hopes. Not going to do it. Wouldn't be appropriate. 

• Tide, Tigers Reflect On Bama Domination • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
As could be expected, one locker room was full of ear-to-ear grins following Alabama’s 36-0 shut out win over Auburn Saturday that snapped a six-game losing streak to the Tigers and marked the first Bama win ever over AU in Tuscaloosa. 

• LSU verbal visits UA • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Rayville wide receiver Kenny Bell committed to LSU early in the recruiting process but that hasn't stopped the 6-foot, 160-pound speedster from taking visits. Saturday Bell was in Tuscaloosa for an unofficial visit to watch the nation's No. 1 team in action.

• Football:
Alabama 36, Auburn 0 - box score

• 2009 Recruiting:
OT James Carpenter commits

• Cecil Hurt: 'One' is the only number that matters • Tuscaloosa News
That’s not a streak, by the way. It’s an objective.

• Football Gameday: Alabama shuts out Auburn 36-0 • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama football team closes out the 2008 regular season with the annual Iron Bowl against Auburn. The top-ranked Crimson Tide host the Tigers for a 2:30 p.m. (CST) kickoff from B...

• Tide ends losing streak against Auburn with rout • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Like his famous father before him, Leigh Tiffin has now kicked a field goal as the clock ticked down to 0:00, one that gave the University of Alabama football team all the points it needed to beat the Auburn Tigers.

• Defense dominates to get rare shutout • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama senior safety Rashad Johnson had already been pulled Saturday night against Auburn, but coaches decided to reinsert him for one final snap in order to get a special ovation from the sellout crowd during his final game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

• Strong Coffee too much for Tigers • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | When University of Alabama junior running back Glen Coffee got to the corner, there was no one; No defender in his way, no one in position to try and chase him down.

• The streak finally ends • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | It was over long before it was over.

• Tide displays efficiency with passing attack • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Introduced with the other Alabama seniors prior to Saturday's game, Nikita Stover started at wide receiver in the Crimson Tide's 39-0 victory over Auburn.

• SEC title game and Florida up next • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | It’s a team that is loaded with speed, dominating football players and is generally considered by national pundits as the best team in the Southeastern Conference, if not the country.

• UA-AU Notebook • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide unleashed six years of frustration with its lopsided 36-0 victory over the Auburn Tigers on Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Nick Saban Press Conference- Auburn

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
John Parker Wilson interview after Auburn

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Iron Bowl defense highlights

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Iron Bowl offense highlights

• Andrew Bone: Alabama reels in big commitment after victory • Tuscaloosa News
James Carpenter, Scout.com four-star junior college offensive tackle from Coffeyville, Kansas, committed Saturday night to Alabama. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: Alabama's Antoine Caldwell: • al.com
"Hopefully, we can start our own streak..." (and a commitment!)
Wow, that was one pretty excited group of Alabama players. "Pumped," as defensive end Bobby Greenwood would say. And why not?

• Gentry Estes: "We beat them good and left no doubt" • al.com
For those Alabama fans wondering if this magical season could possibly get any better, apparently it could.

• Gentry Estes: Crimson Tide adds commitment on Iron Bowl day • al.com
In addition to the Iron Bowl victory, Alabama netted its 18th commitment of the expected 2009 signing class today.

• Gentry Estes: Florida playmaker Percy Harvin on crutches after FSU victory • al.com
OK, so the celebrations in Tuscaloosa are just getting started after a big Iron Bowl win, but here's some potentially big news heading into next week's SEC championship game between top-ranked Alabama and No. 2 Florida. 

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Someone will pay for Auburn's crash, but it won't be Tuberville • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA -- Unless some well-connected people aren't telling the truth, or are out of the loop, Tommy Tuberville will return for his 11th season as the Auburn head football coach. 

• Ray Melick: Biggest surprise: Saban happy after big win over Auburn • The Birmingham News
Nick Saban was happy.

• Auburn's Iron Bowl is like its season • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - The manual on "How to Lose a Game" was written all season by Auburn. 

• Beatdown in T-town • The Birmingham News
Tide seniors finally get first win over Auburn

• BY THE NUMBERS • The Birmingham News
12 Number of seasons, since 1996, Alabama has gone without scoring a first-quarter touchdown against Auburn.:

• Tide runs away with Iron Bowl victory • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - It was, in Alabama coach Nick Saban's eyes, the most perfectly executed running play he's ever seen.

• Florida deserves to be favorite against Tide • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA -- The game everyone has waited on for a month is finally here: Alabama vs. Florida in the SEC Championship Game and de-facto national semifinal.

• Grading the Tigers • The Birmingham News
Couldn't run, couldn't pass, couldn't hold on to the ball. Three fumbles.

• SCORING SUMMARY • The Birmingham News
FIRST QUARTER ALA - Leigh Tiffin 37-yard field goal. Key plays: A 17-yard John Parker Wilson pass to Darius Hanks and a 1-yard Wilson sneak on fourth down. Drive: 15 plays, 76 yards, 7:36. Time remaining: 0:00. SECOND QUARTER 

• Sound Off • The Birmingham News
SOUND OFF
UA schedule doesn't impress:

• Tide defense shuts down Tigers' Iron Bowl streak • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama linebacker Cory Reamer never believed 10 points was going to be enough. 

• Tide notebook • The Birmingham News
Saban's timeout call comes up big:

• VICTORY EXCLAMATION • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama defensive back Chris Rogers grabbed a Crimson Tide flag from a cheerleader and took off. He dashed across Bryant-Denny Stadium and planted the flag in the turf.

• Randy Kennedy: Power shift swift and dramatic • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA — Three hours of complete domination at an overcast Bryant-Denny Stadium was all it took to end Auburn's six-year Iron Bowl winning streak. But an entire year of Nick Saban's process and Tommy Tuberville missteps went into making the shift in power that was inevitable even before Saturday's opening kickoff. 

• Alabama snaps six-year losing streak in Iron Bowl by stomping Auburn 36-0 • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - It was over long before the final whistle, six years of frustration boiling over into three hours of crimson jubilation loud enough for a nation to notice.

• Alabama beat report by Gentry Estes • Press-Register
-- OFFENSE: There was no deception in what Alabama's offense threw at Auburn. The Tigers got the same cautious, run-first approach that so many other Crimson Tide opponents have seen. And much like those other teams, Auburn knew what was coming and still couldn't consistently stop it.

• Alabama capitalizes on Auburn fumbles in Iron Bowl • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama had Auburn and the Iron Bowl under control at halftime. Then a pair of third-quarter fumbles enabled the Crimson Tide to wrap its hands around the Tigers' throats and pave the way to a 36-0 victory Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

• Alabama seniors go out to cheers after Iron Bowl • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Near the seven-minute mark of Saturday's 36-0 victory over Auburn, Alabama senior quarterback John Parker Wilson went last. His was the final of the staged exits to a memorable standing ovation.

• Alabama stalks bigger game against Florida in SEC title contest • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - When it was over, Julio Jones walked off the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium like it was any other practice. 

• Auburn beat report: Tigers finish dismal season in disappointing fashion • Press-Register
-- OFFENSE: After weeks of slow progress, Auburn quarterback Kodi Burns looked almost helpless Saturday in Tuscaloosa. The Tigers' only sign of life was a two-minute drill that featured a handful of quarterback draws and designed runs leading to an unsuccessful field goal attempt just before halftime. Other than that, Saturday's performance was a miserable new low in a season filled with offensive problems.

• Auburn notebook: QB Kodi Burns falters in finale for Tigers • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - For the past month and a half, Auburn coaches and players have spoken glowingly of quarterback Kodi Burns' progress. But the only step in Saturday's season-ending Iron Bowl was a giant stride backward.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Sunday, November 30, 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 comments can be published. 

• Top high school football talent considering Alabama • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Coming off a 7-6 season, Alabama coach Nick Saban and his staff still managed to sign the nation's No. 1 recruiting class in 2008. With a run at the national championship still alive deep into this season, there is a chance the encore class could be even better.

• Bill Bryant: Tigers' missed chances wrap up sorry season • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - Jerraud Powers had the play so figured out he might as well have been in Alabama's huddle. 

• Happy Saban enjoys blowout • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - It was over long before the final whistle, six years of frustration boiling over into three hours of crimson jubilation.

• Shutout awakens echoes of '92 championship run • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - The goal for Alabama's defense, according to coach Nick Saban, was not about the shutout. 

• Stover ad-libs on deep balls • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - Just call it Night at the Improv for Alabama receiver Nikita Stover.

• Bama teaches Burns lesson • The Huntsville Times
Auburn QB's recent progress all but vanishes in loss

• Blocked FG sucked life from Tigers • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - Morgan Hull didn't hear the whistle blow. The Auburn sophomore was too busy watching his first collegiate field goal attempt split the uprights as time ran out in the first half.

• Date with dominant Gators up next • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - You know the picture-in-picture gizmo on your fancy television? That's sort of how life has been for Alabama the past two weeks.

• Tide rides old reliables • The Huntsville Times
Wilson, Coffee make offense hum as Bama coasts to 12-0

• Auburn ratings: Alabama 36, Auburn 0 • The Huntsville Times
Offense

• Auburn strategy: Alabama 36, Auburn 0 • The Huntsville Times
Challenge wasted timeout

• Tide notebook • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - Near the seven-minute mark of Saturday's 36-0 victory over Auburn, Alabama senior quarterback John Parker Wilson went last. His was the final of the staged exits to a memorable standing ovation. 

• Jess Nicholas: Auburn wrap-up: Tide followed the example set by its honorary captain • TideFans
The tone for Alabama’s 36-0 shellacking of Auburn wasn’t set by a big defensive stop or a 70-yard bomb to Julio Jones. It was instead set by a running back whose eligibility expired 18 years ago and whose life in the years since has been a hell no one would wish on his worst enemy.

• Tide rolls big in 36-0 win over AU • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- This was a beat-down six years in the making. 

• Photos: • Montgomery Advertiser
Iron Bowl action, fans 3

• Photos: • Montgomery Advertiser
Iron Bowl action, fans 2

• Photos: • Montgomery Advertiser
Iron Bowl Action, Fans

• Photos: • Montgomery Advertiser
Iron Bowl Pregame

• Photos: • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama and Auburn fans tailgate

• (1) ALABAMA 36, AUBURN 0: Bama breaks The Streak; No. 1 Tide overtakes Tigers • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- All week, Alabama coach Nick Saban in­sisted this game would be no dif­ferent than any other.

• Saban able to shift the Tide of in-state rivalry • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA --Alabama 36, Auburn 0 is not just a T-shirt slogan.

• KEY PLAY: Coffee's TD run signaled end of AU's dominance • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Even from his vantage point on the opposite sideline, Alabama coach Nick Saban knows a good play when he sees one.

• Tide defense upends Tigers • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- To be kind, the Auburn offense has strug­gled through the 2008 season. To be less than generous, the Ala­bama defense has played very well this year.

• ALABAMA NOTEBOOK: Tide defense takes away big plays from QB Burns • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- All week, Alabama defenders heard about the feet of Auburn quarterback Kodi Burns, but the sophomore wasn't a factor in the 2008 Iron Bowl.

• Tide math: 1>6 • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Through six long years, Alabama players and fans watched in dismay as Auburn added wins — and yet another dreaded finger to a taunting salute. 

• Alabama erases the past 6 years • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama football coach Nick Saban says that when he came to Tuscaloosa, “change was probably inevitable.”

• Cody’s presence makes big difference for Tide’s defense • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
There was a moment in Saturday’s Iron Bowl when Alabama players realized that nose tackle Terrence Cody was 100 percent healthy. 

• Alabama dominates Auburn • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — Alabama had it scripted right down to the lighting concept that glimmered through a misty, foggy night. 

• Tiger seniors deal with first loss to Tide • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — The ice bags covered Antonio Coleman’s shoulder, but it didn’t sooth his most gaping wound. 

• Difference between Tide, Tigers easy to see • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — It’s often the little things which make the difference in a championship contender and, well, a 5-7 team.

• Instant Analysis: Auburn-Alabama • College Football News
LSU? Check. SEC West? Check. Snap a six-game losing streak in the Iron Bowl? Check. It’s been some kind of season for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Having navigated their regularly-scheduled 12-game gauntlet without a single defeat, Nick Saban’s crew only needs to foil Florida next week to play for the national championship. 

• 2008 Bowl Projections ... Updated Nov. 30 • College Football News
Predicting and projecting the possible post-season matchups

• Bowl Predictions • CBS Sportsline
The champions of selected conferences are contractually committed to certain bowls, unless they are No. 1 or No. 2. (ACC: Orange; Big Ten: Rose; Big 12: Fiesta; Pac-10: Rose; SEC: Sugar).

• More scenes of Tide spanking the Tigers • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Javier Arenas... Antoine Caldwell... Josh Chapman... Glenn Coffee... Mark Ingram... Luther Davis and more. 

• Tide beats Sooners for top JUCO OL • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"I called Coach Saban two hours ago and told him I was ready to go ahead and commit. He was real excited." 

• Scenes from Bama's beatdown of Auburn • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Here are some shots from Alabama's 36-0 win over Auburn. 

• Tide bludgeons Tigers, snaps streaks • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Whether your Iron Bowl post-game t-shirt reads "Beat-Down in T-town" or "A Return to Normalcy," if you're an Alabama football fan, you are smiling. The top-ranked Crimson Tide snapped a six-game losing streak to cross-state rival Auburn and rolled to a 36-0 shutout win before a sellout crowd of 92,138 at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday. The Tide beat the Tigers for the first time in Tuscaloosa. 

• OT James Carpenter decides on Alabama • 'BamaMag
4-Star Juco OT, James Carpenter, flew back home from his official visit at Ole Miss this afternoon and had a sit down with his offensive line coach. They came up with a decision. To learn more about it, read below.

• Alabama Rolls Big In Win Over AU • 'BamaMag
Number one ranked Crimson Tide hands Tigers a losing season; SEC title game next

• Singing, Dancing, Kissing • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban talks about the win over Auburn.

• Notes From Tide Romp Over Auburn • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama's win sets up opportunities for post-season championships

• AU Senior Hacked Off About Loss • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Jason Bosley doesn't hide his feelings about the end of Auburn's winning streak vs. the Tide.

• Tide Ends The Streak Vs. the Tigers • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama kept alive its 2008 winning streak and ended one of losing to the rival Tigers on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

• The Nickel: Auburn • BamaOnLine
Heading into Saturday's game against Auburn, BOL had five questions for an Alabama team looking to snap a six-game losing streak to its in-state rival.

• PHOTO GALLERY: Tide rolls over Tigers • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The Alabama Crimson Tide put an end Auburn's six game winning streak in impressive fashion on Saturday night with a 36-0 win over the Tigers.

• Tide lands big OL • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
It didn't take long for Alabama to reap the benefits of their big wave of momentum in the aftermath of their 36-0 stomping of Auburn Friday night as one of their top OL targets on the board called to commit to Tide Coach Nick Saban.

• Instant Analysis: AU • BamaOnLine
The Alabama Crimson Tide snapped a six-game skid to Auburn Saturday afternoon. BOL staffers Travis Reier and Chase Goodbread provide insight from Bryant-Denny Stadium inside! 

• Notebook: Tide, Gators set to collide • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Twenty-four hour rule?

• Ironed out: Tide ends six-year slide against Tigers with 36-0 win • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Nick Saban took a victory lap around Bryant-Denny Stadium and then did a dance in the locker room.

• Five things we know after Alabama-Auburn • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
The partying went well into the night on Saturday. The joy of snapping a six-year

• Carpenter makes 18 for Crimson Tide • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
JuCo lineman committed on Saturday night 

• Schlabach: Tide has ingredients to beat Gators • Crimson Confidential
Alabama matches Florida speed with power 

• Notebook: Alabama eschews dramatics in demolition of Tigers’ streak • Crimson Confidential
Tide completes 15th unbeaten regular season 

• Women's Basketball Downs Northern Iowa 76-56 • RollTide.com
Sophomore Alyson Butler drained five three-pointers to lead the women's basketball team past Northern Iowa 76-56 in the consolation game at the Nugget Classic held at the Lawlor Events Center. 

• Women's Basketball:
Saturday Night - Alabamae 76, Northern Iowa 56

• Bama in the NBA - November 29th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did