After softball dropped two games to UF in the WCWS there was some discussion on the status of UA Athletics in non-revenue sports.  Obviously we represent the elite in some sports such as football and gymnastics, but we are also in the middle of the pack of worse in others.  When I looked at the Capital One Cup standings, I was quite surprised to see that we were not listed as one of the top athletic departments in the nation.  With as much emphasis as we place on sports in Alabama and indeed at UA I was shocked.  We seem to have great facilities with the exception of maybe swimming and track and field.  Certainly in other rankings (such as revenue) our athletic department ranks near the top (behind only Texas I think).  Nevertheless, take a look: http://www.capitalonecup.com/standings.html

The comments to the Pat Murphy move to LSU were closed and I assume for good reason as the posts would likely have become quite insulting and hateful.  Last night when I read the news it really stung and quickly (immediately) I was pissed to lose such a great coach (and his top assistant).  I totally understand leaving for a better job and/or more money.  I've done that in my career to earn a job at UA.  But to leave for a divisional foe seems to go against an unwritten code.  I thought I would cool off about this after I got some sleep (especially since I am not an avid softball fan), but today I still feel pissed.  Is it wrong that I wish him nothing but failure?  I guess not since his success will have a direct negative effect on UA softball.  I understand the connection to the former LSU coach, but this move just seems to come at a terrible time for the softball program in a number of ways.  If there is a bright side, he could never win the big game anyway (at least not since I have been paying attention over the last few years).

So did Mark Richt earn his pink slip while vacationing in Colorado?  More importantly for Bama fans, if he did does that mean we lose Kirby Smart to UGA?  While I am basking in the UF victory, this issue worries me.

Obviously we all saw the LSU-UT game.  Les Miles has shown that he has absolutely no clue what to do in games where time is running out.  He has worse clock management than half the major high schools in Alabama.  If you saw the post game presser with Dooley he hinted that he felt the refs blew did not allow UT time to substitute and thus resulted in the penalty.  If you watch the replay the ref was standing near the ball and at least one UT player was headed off the field and then came back on.  The fault lies with the coaches and players not the refs.  At the end of the game Dooley ran off the field without going to mid-field to meet Miles.  Miles had to run him down on the UT sideline.  I hate UT, but I thought that I would be okay with Dooley (at least until he started winning), but after seeing that display last night I think he fits perfectly with UT.  His piss poor attitude and childish behavior was very similar to Kiffin.

After starting the season 16-1 with solid wins over South Alabama and the College of Charleston, the Bama baseball team went on a five game skid.  After taking the first two games of the series from Vandy it was not too upseting to drop the Sunday game.  However, a mid-week loss to Auburn in Montgomery in what counted as a non-conference game and then a weekend sweep by Arkansas in Fayetteville the team is in serious need of a win.  The Tide will get a chance to turn the ship in the right direction on Tuesday when they host Jack State at the Joe.  But Bama has a quick turnaround as the team heads to Hoover to face UAB on Wednesday night.  Two mid-week wins would really help before we host Auburn for the weekend series.  The weather should be great this weekend and a big home crowd at the Joe would really help the cause.  In the Vandy series the team played in front of 4,500 paid, but that figure was almost doubled last weekend in Fayetteville as the Hogs drew well over 8,000 fans.

Can someone verify that this clip on youtube is in fact the new introduction to the team as we take the field.  If so I really like it.  I especially like the Tebow and Meyer segment.  And for my money I cannot get enough of those elephants with the face paint.  I  love it.  This clip seems to show that Bama is here and now and not a tradition of the past alone.  Also, is GMac really going to switch to number 13.  If so that would be awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rJ2XpmvnFI&NR=1

I don't have time to write an in depth summary of our baseball season thus far, but I would like to point out that our team is now 16-1.  Which is the best start in the history of our baseball program which began in 1892.  We clinched the SEC opener this weekend against Vandy (ranked no. 16) with a huge win today.  Regardless of what happens in the Sunday game (if it is not rained out), we are in great shape to start SEC play and should move up from our current ranking of no. 21 to something around no. 15.  The team has truly bought into the style of play of first year head coach Mitch Gaspard.  Also of note we drew about 4,500 fans for the Friday and Saturday games.  This number does not include the several hundred fans that watch for free in right field.  This is not stellar but a solid fan showing when you consider that gymnastics drew over 13,000 for senior night on Friday, softball is home and has been packing them in as usual, and we are on spring break.  If we can keep this momentum going we should contend for the SEC title and may put ourselves in position to host a regional or even a super regional, but for now I would take a win Sunday to sweep Vandy.  RTR.

Now that the season is over I want to thank Todd, Nico, OTS, Pete, and Kleph for all they do for the so many RBR readers during the course of the season.  I joined RBR from my office on the University of Tennessee campus in 2006 and have been a loyal reader ever since.  In fact, while I was still at the God forsaken place RBR was my only way to truly stay connected to events at the Capstone.  Then Todd and Nico did about 90% of the posts with a few others chiming in (like Chalkdust, what happened to that guy?).  This year obviously the membership and the posting was just through the roof and you guys did a wonderful job of slipping into the background and to let the avid fans post their comments and links to stories.  So, THANKS FOR ALL THE HARDWORK.  Best wishes.

In a previous post I asked if anyone knew the original lyrics to Yea Alabama.  Years ago I saw the original lyrics to the song and I distinctly remember it mentioned other teams besides Ga. Tech and UGA.  I seem to recall a mention to the Sewanee Tigers and Tulane.  I looked around the Web and couldn't find anything.  In fact, there seems to be some confusion on the lyrics we actually sing (e.g. every Bama mans behind you v. every Bama fans behind you and Drown 'em tide v. Crimson Tide).  If anyone knows where to find the original lyrics I would greatly appreciate the input.

Note from Athony Grant concerning the Purdue game and Heisman trophy presentation. 

Dear Alabama Fan:

We have a great opportunity this weekend as our basketball team takes on the #5 Purdue Boilermakers Saturday, December 12th. Tip-off for this nationally televised game is 8pm on ESPN2. According to our ticket office, we have about 1,500 tickets left to sell. The ticket office has also informed me that the Purdue alumni have purchased 500 tickets to the game. We need everyone in the stands to cheer on the Tide.

Students are off on break, but I am encouraging all of those students that live close to come to the game. We will need to make Coleman an uncomfortable place to play Saturday.

I am also excited about the positive momentum our football team has created. We have another opportunity Saturday night with Mark Ingram and the Heisman trophy. I have instructed our marketing department to announce the results of the ballot and show Mark’s acceptance speech at half time should he win. It is a great time to be an Alabama fan.

See you Saturday night…bring a friend.

Roll Tide,
Anthony Grant

So, is this game on ESPN.  I know it is the old Raycom, JP or LF game, but I am still unsure of the new TV deal since this will be the first true 'typical' football viewing Saturday now that the US Open is over.  I assume the game is on ESPN for the Southeast region.  Is that correct?  By the way, I think they should let the Daves cover this one for old times sake.  So many mornings I recall opening my first drink with the Daves in the background.  SEC tradition.

Did anyone notice the new-look endzones at A Day?  They look more like the old ones from Legion Field with the letters on a slant, but one did say CRIMSON TIDE rather than both saying ALABAMA.  Not that it really matters, but why would we go and screw up the re-branding that we have worked so hard to establish.  The script A and the ALABAMA in all block letters are the official athletic logos.  I know we have discussed on the loss of the elephant on RBR before, but it just seems odd.

Not that anyone cares, but I was recently offered a job at UA.  Of course I accepted the offer and now I am stoked to be moving back to Tuscaloosa.  The university obviously means a lot to everyone at RBR and I cannot express how happy I am to have the opportunity to contribute at a place that means so much to me.

Any Tuscaloosa residents with some info on area schools would be much appreciated.  I have a sense that Northport has better schools, but honestly I have no clue and as with any parent this is an important issue.

RMFT

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/02/05/kiffin-meyer/index.html?eref=si_topstories

I know a lot of people have been commenting on Kiffin and his big mouth, but this piece adds some new info.  This guy has already been an embarassment to UT and he hasn't even coached a game.  If he has a season like most expect, he will start to take heat before next December.  A total idiot.  Welcome to the big league dumb ass.

Did anyone see the Lane Kiffin presser?  It was oddly familiar.  Yes, in fact it was very similar to Mal Moore introducing Mike Shula.  A nice looking young man from a fine football family.  A guy that made a name for himself by being the son of a coach with a great reputation rather than by actually proving himself on the field.  Yes, both coaches with no experience as the head man at the college level.  Great move Mike Hamilton (UT AD) I think you have found a winner in LK.  Even if his dad comes (which is still up in the air) the problem with UT is not defense and its not recruiting.  They need a real OC.  So as I see it, UT will field a team led by a man with no experience, with no offense, and with a solid D.  Wow, this is Mike Shula all dressed up in orange.  I say he is fired within 4 yrs.

Oh and Clemson.  Obviously I was pulling for Dabo since he is a Bama man, but I think they jumped the gun a bit.  The ACC is such a desirable conference, bc being average means you may win the whole damn thing and wind up in a BCS bowl.

Two bad coaching decisions made on the same day.  I am now totally convinced a coach is basically everthing.  Other issues will all work out with the right head man.

I saw this on the SI site.  I had to read it twice, because it seems like a horrible joke.  Apparently, after the Bama-LSU game an altercation led to the death of two people.  From what I read, these guys watched the game at different homes, but met after the game to fight over the outcome.  They both had guns with them.  I serisouly hope more comes out of this.  Surely they had dealings with each other over other matters and the game was just the culmination of those interactions.  I love college football and almost had a heart attack on Saturday over it, but come on.  At the end of the day this is just a GAME for kids.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/ncaa/11/10/slaying.ap/index.html?eref=si_topstories

If ESPN has anything to do with it an undefeated Bama team would not play for the NC over Penn State.  I am not saying that we will go undefeated.  In fact, I will not be overly suprised if we lose 2 games.  Texas may also stumble with Tech this weekend.  But ESPN is clearly pushing PSU even though they have the easiest road.  Their only quality win was over Ohio State and that was a close game.  The same OSU team that got killed by USC.  Last night we (the no. 2 team in the nation) got about 15 sec worth of highlights while Texas and PSU got a ton of attention.  ESPN has also been playing this Joe Pa thing up like crazy.  Its all about ratings and lets face it.  PSU, Texas, USC, etc. are all in bigger markets.  Saban is also no media darling.  Ultimately I care about SEC championships but I do find the ESPN agenda interesting.

This seems like a nice time to bring up an important plea.  As fans we of course have a large influence on the outcome of the game from our seats in BDS or in front of the TV.  I have no doubt that my lucky shirt, hat, and shaker are partly responsible for our 6-0 start.  Please DO NOT change your gameday routines.  We don't want to upset the balance.  I am actually not very superstitious, but who knows, maybe there is something to this.

RMFT

I saw on Frankin's web site that he is still willing to give coaching seminars on his offensive system that attracts players, scores points, wins games, and most importantly wins championships.  The site makes a special point that this is not the kind of seminar where you drink beer and chase women all weekend.  Ah, come on now.  That book that was selling for hundreds of dollars a few months back.  I would like to know how much they are selling for now.  I think Franklin may end up coaching against Dubose in some terrible high school games real soon.

Here is the link:

http://thesystemclinics.com/

of mine told me yesterday that he listened to the Bama game on the radio, but didnt even learn of the Auburn score until Sunday morning.  Now he was on a road trip, likely drunk, and claims a girl came into play.  I told him he was typical of most Barners in that he was more concerned with Bama that AU.  This is plain and simple a bad case of little brother syndrome.  This will probably only get worse since their season is really over until the Iron Bowl (which I contend is not as important as the 3rd Sat in Oct anyway).

I sat down and finally watched the Nick Saban show on Tivo last night.  During the highlights I watched as Rolando scooped the ball and ran into the endzone.  As a defensive guy I would think he would be so excited he may do a little dance with some bandstanding, but he simply tossed dropped the ball and ran back to the sideline.  In fact, it looked as if some other players wanted to do a chest bump or some of that crap and he simply ignored them.  What class.  That is truly acting like you have been there before.  The more I learn of Rolando, the more I love this guy.

Last night in the first quarter of the FAU v. MTSU game, Ray Bentley said Bama was ranked too high because they had not beaten anyone.  He said of the three upsets over the weekend (USC, UF, UGA) that UGA lost the most bc they were exposed.  He said UGA should never have been ranked so high and they were not a good football team.  Hmmm, are you kidding me?  UGA will likely win the SEC East.  Let's not forget that we also beat Clemson (who is not great, but was ranked 9 at the time and we will never know how their season who be different if they had beaten us) and we beat Ark. on the road (they are not great either but a SEC road win is a SEC road win).  I actually had to rewind my Tivo to listen again.  I'll go on the record: Ray Bentley is an idiot that apparently knows almost nothing about college football.

ESPN has a pretty funny article on dating as told by the coach.  Mike Leach gave some dating advice on his weekly call in show.  Can you even imagine if someone tried to be cute on the air with Saban?  He would likely look at his watch, look pissed, and then walk off the set.  The article is short and has a Saban reference so its worth a look:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&page=dash0804&sportCat=ncf&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

What is the deal with the Nick Saban Show.  That thing is total crap.  With our budget and resources I find it difficult to believe that we cannot put together a higher quality program.  After the Clemson game I could not even hear what Saban said because they had the volume so low.  The show this past weekend also had volume issues and they aired some of Saban's comments twice.  They essentially used the same comments to fill two slots in the show.  I know Saban hates the show and refuses to tape it in a studio like everyone else, but this is really a problem with our production I think.  What does it say when State puts out a better product?