Alabama Crimson Tide: Big 12
Bama, Texas interest further fuels 2015 QB 
June, 1, 2013
Jun 1
3:03
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
MESQUITE, Texas -- There was one pass that 2015 quarterback Chason Virgil (Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite) made during West Mesquite’s spring game Tuesday that seemed to define him and his potential. It was an incompletion; in fact, the attempt was a go-route that missed by about 10 yards.
While the pass was incomplete, it garnered oohs and aahs from the multiple spectators at Mesquite Memorial Stadium. A perfect spiral, the pass went roughly 60 yards -- almost effortlessly -- and it was enough to impress his high school coaches.
While the pass was incomplete, it garnered oohs and aahs from the multiple spectators at Mesquite Memorial Stadium. A perfect spiral, the pass went roughly 60 yards -- almost effortlessly -- and it was enough to impress his high school coaches.
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TYLER, Texas -- ESPN 150 athlete Davion Hall (Texarkana, Texas/Liberty Eylau) committed to Baylor on Feb. 2 and still has plans of putting on the green and gold.
But in the back of his head, ever since late last week, the idea of putting on Alabama crimson and white has been something to consider. After picking up an offer from the Crimson Tide, Hall said while his commitment to Baylor is still solid, he’s got a lot to think about.
But in the back of his head, ever since late last week, the idea of putting on Alabama crimson and white has been something to consider. After picking up an offer from the Crimson Tide, Hall said while his commitment to Baylor is still solid, he’s got a lot to think about.
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The SEC and Big 12 announced an annual challenge on the basketball court, but colleague Edward Aschoff wondered what it would look like if that challenge extended to the football field.
There are already two games on the schedule this season -- between TCU and LSU, and Oklahoma State and Mississippi State. What else would I like to see?
Let me start by saying that renewing the Texas-Texas A&M and Missouri-Kansas rivalries are a given. I'm omitting those matchups, but I'd love to see them.
Let's get started:
Oklahoma State vs. Alabama: OSU narrowly missed out on playing for the national title back in 2011, and both are among their conference favorites again in 2013. When the BCS "snubbed" the Pokes after the 2011 regular season, OSU coach Mike Gundy half-jokingly suggested these two play for the right to play LSU in the title game. It would be fun to see this one finally played out on the field.
Baylor vs. LSU: Straight up offense vs. defense. That's the Big 12 vs. SEC debate at its heart. Baylor just might be the Big 12's best offense, and LSU will put together another strong defense. These are the matchups we want to see. The Big 12 has faltered on the big stage, helping the SEC stretch its run of national titles, but seeing Bryce Petty sling it around against an athletic defense would be a lot of fun.
Texas vs. Arkansas: Arkansas' exit from the Southwest Conference helped usher in the birth of the Big 12 after the SWC crumbled. Texas has bigger rivals like Oklahoma and Texas A&M, but these two played some of the greatest games in college football history, and as an Arkansas native, I've seen up close how much Razorbacks fans detest the Longhorns to this day. The result would be a great game and a hyped atmosphere.
TCU vs. Texas A&M: Texas A&M fans take exception to the idea that TCU was an on-field "upgrade" over the Aggies in the Big 12. The Aggies largely struggled in the Big 12 after some early success and a Big 12 title under R.C. Slocum. Since leaving for the SEC, the Aggies have gone nowhere but up, and ended 2012 as the hottest team in college football. Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel has a Heisman Trophy. Could he shred the Frogs? Want to prove TCU is not an upgrade? Beat TCU on the field.
Kansas State vs. Florida: Kansas State is perpetually underrated and wins with a bunch of junior college guys, and high school players overlooked by major programs. Florida won big under Urban Meyer, but has been largely overrated since Meyer left and was whacked by Louisville to end 2012. The Gators would be suiting up an army of recruiting stars, but could Bill Snyder, the Manhattan Magician, grab a win for the Big 12?
There are already two games on the schedule this season -- between TCU and LSU, and Oklahoma State and Mississippi State. What else would I like to see?
Let me start by saying that renewing the Texas-Texas A&M and Missouri-Kansas rivalries are a given. I'm omitting those matchups, but I'd love to see them.
Let's get started:
Oklahoma State vs. Alabama: OSU narrowly missed out on playing for the national title back in 2011, and both are among their conference favorites again in 2013. When the BCS "snubbed" the Pokes after the 2011 regular season, OSU coach Mike Gundy half-jokingly suggested these two play for the right to play LSU in the title game. It would be fun to see this one finally played out on the field.
Baylor vs. LSU: Straight up offense vs. defense. That's the Big 12 vs. SEC debate at its heart. Baylor just might be the Big 12's best offense, and LSU will put together another strong defense. These are the matchups we want to see. The Big 12 has faltered on the big stage, helping the SEC stretch its run of national titles, but seeing Bryce Petty sling it around against an athletic defense would be a lot of fun.
Texas vs. Arkansas: Arkansas' exit from the Southwest Conference helped usher in the birth of the Big 12 after the SWC crumbled. Texas has bigger rivals like Oklahoma and Texas A&M, but these two played some of the greatest games in college football history, and as an Arkansas native, I've seen up close how much Razorbacks fans detest the Longhorns to this day. The result would be a great game and a hyped atmosphere.
TCU vs. Texas A&M: Texas A&M fans take exception to the idea that TCU was an on-field "upgrade" over the Aggies in the Big 12. The Aggies largely struggled in the Big 12 after some early success and a Big 12 title under R.C. Slocum. Since leaving for the SEC, the Aggies have gone nowhere but up, and ended 2012 as the hottest team in college football. Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel has a Heisman Trophy. Could he shred the Frogs? Want to prove TCU is not an upgrade? Beat TCU on the field.
Kansas State vs. Florida: Kansas State is perpetually underrated and wins with a bunch of junior college guys, and high school players overlooked by major programs. Florida won big under Urban Meyer, but has been largely overrated since Meyer left and was whacked by Louisville to end 2012. The Gators would be suiting up an army of recruiting stars, but could Bill Snyder, the Manhattan Magician, grab a win for the Big 12?
Oklahoma vs. Georgia: Mark Richt and Bob Stoops have one big thing in common: Neither fan base truly appreciates what their coach has accomplished. Consider this an opportunity for both to quiet the hot-seat talk. It's been a lot more intense for Richt, who endured a 6-7 season back in 2010, but he's won the SEC East in each of the past two seasons. Stoops has averaged just over 10 wins a season at Oklahoma, and Richt has averaged just under 10 wins. Call this the "Underappreciated Bowl."
Lessons Learned: Orlando NFTC
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
12:47
PM ET
By Derek Tyson & Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour continued in Orlando on Saturday as several top players from the Central Florida area showcased their skills at West Orange High School. There were individual standouts at every position as well as several players who put themselves on the map with impressive performances.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With just a player walk-through Thursday, things were relatively easy in Day 4 of practice at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports. A four-star defensive tackle gave further explanation about his decision to decommit from an SEC school, several players talked about who impressed them the most, and an ESPN 150 safety changed his decision date.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- There were several standouts at Tuesday's Day 2 practice for the Under Armour All-America Game (5 p.m. ET Friday, ESPN). Two players -- one for Team Nitro, the other for Team Highlight -- said they are closing in on their college decisions and will make their announcements Friday. Meanwhile, the nation's No. 1 player left the field at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports with an injury.
Folston closing in on decision
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Game of the Week: Texas A&M-Alabama
November, 10, 2012
11/10/12
1:41
PM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Join our ESPN.com college football experts as they bring you the Game of the Week: No. 15 Texas A&M at No. 1 Alabama.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. See you there.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. See you there.
Join our ESPN.com college football experts as they preview Week 9.
Now's the time to send us your best tailgate photos feature your food, family and friends. Tweet your pictures to @ESPNCFB or upload them directly to the chat and we'll post the best ones. Here are our previous tailgates.
Now's the time to send us your best tailgate photos feature your food, family and friends. Tweet your pictures to @ESPNCFB or upload them directly to the chat and we'll post the best ones. Here are our previous tailgates.
Join our ESPN.com college football experts as they preview Week 8.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
Now's the time to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family @ESPNCFB or upload them directly to the chat. It's time to represent for your school. Here are our previous tailgates.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
Now's the time to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family @ESPNCFB or upload them directly to the chat. It's time to represent for your school. Here are our previous tailgates.
SEC surpasses Big 12 as No. 1 rated league
October, 9, 2012
10/09/12
9:45
AM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
The Big 12's held on all season, but the SEC finally passed it for the No. 1 spot in the ESPN Stats & Info Conference Power Rankings.
The Big 12 still has the No. 1 spot in the computer polls, but the Big 12 took a hit in the human polls after just four Big 12 teams showed up in Sunday's AP rankings. The SEC took the lead by a full point after steadily creeping up on the Big 12 since the rankings debuted.
The Big 12 still has the No. 1 spot in the computer polls, but the Big 12 took a hit in the human polls after just four Big 12 teams showed up in Sunday's AP rankings. The SEC took the lead by a full point after steadily creeping up on the Big 12 since the rankings debuted.
Join our ESPN.com college football experts as they preview Week 5.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
Don't forget to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family all week long @ESPNCFB and get your photos in our GameDay Live chat Saturday morning. Here are our previous tailgates.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
Don't forget to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family all week long @ESPNCFB and get your photos in our GameDay Live chat Saturday morning. Here are our previous tailgates.
Welcome to Week 4! Join our ESPN.com college football experts as they get you ready for GameDay.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
Now's the time to hit us up with your best tailgate photos. Send your pictures @ESPNCFB or upload them through the chat. We can't wait to see what you're cooking up today. Here are our previous tailgates.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
Now's the time to hit us up with your best tailgate photos. Send your pictures @ESPNCFB or upload them through the chat. We can't wait to see what you're cooking up today. Here are our previous tailgates.
Watch: College Football Final (Week 2)
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
10:33
AM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Jim Basquil and the ESPN.com College Football team deliver the highlights, analysis, and interviews from an exciting Week 2 of College Football.
If there are no changes to his plans from now until January, four-star cornerback Maurice Smith (Sugar Land, Texas/Dulles) will be one of the athletes to announce his college decision on ESPN.
Smith, an Under Armour All-American, said he will announce where he will take his talents at the 2013 UA All-American Game in January. Smith currently has offers from 18 schools, including Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Florida and in-state schools Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Houston and Baylor.
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ESPNU's national signing day coverage kicks off at 9 a.m. ET. Here's the list of the announcements and time for some of the top prospects.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.