College GameDay's Samantha Steele rides into work with Alabama coach and birthday boy Nick Saban as he prepares for this week's game against LSU.
Inside the Program: Nussmeier's attack
October, 31, 2012
10/31/12
11:17
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is one to spread the credit around. Sure, his quarterback AJ McCarron is in the thick of the Heisman race, has thrown 18 touchdowns with no interceptions and faces the biggest game of the season against LSU on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La., but it's not all about him.
Alabama's undefeated record and 40.6 points per game is a testament to the play of the team all the way around, not just the man under center.
"It's the body of work of everybody on the offense," Nussmeier told ESPN's Samantha Steele, crediting the offensive line, running backs and wide receivers.
If anything, it's been a team effort. McCarron just happens to be the face of it.
The junior quarterback from South Alabama has taken on a greater role on offense this season after leading the Tide to a national championship in his first year starting under center. Nussmeier, who is in his first season at Alabama, said McCarron came in this past offseason ready to work on the finer points of his game, things like footwork and selling the play-action pass better. It was music to the former pro quarterback's ears.
Coordinator and quarterback jelled quickly and McCarron's newfound attention to detail has paid off on the football field. The same pundits and and prognosticators that labeled McCarron a "game manager," are calling him something different this season. They're calling him one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Not that UA coach Nick Saban is ready to abandon the title of "game manager" any time soon. To him, it's a compliment more than an insult.
Alabama's undefeated record and 40.6 points per game is a testament to the play of the team all the way around, not just the man under center.
"It's the body of work of everybody on the offense," Nussmeier told ESPN's Samantha Steele, crediting the offensive line, running backs and wide receivers.
If anything, it's been a team effort. McCarron just happens to be the face of it.
The junior quarterback from South Alabama has taken on a greater role on offense this season after leading the Tide to a national championship in his first year starting under center. Nussmeier, who is in his first season at Alabama, said McCarron came in this past offseason ready to work on the finer points of his game, things like footwork and selling the play-action pass better. It was music to the former pro quarterback's ears.
Coordinator and quarterback jelled quickly and McCarron's newfound attention to detail has paid off on the football field. The same pundits and and prognosticators that labeled McCarron a "game manager," are calling him something different this season. They're calling him one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Not that UA coach Nick Saban is ready to abandon the title of "game manager" any time soon. To him, it's a compliment more than an insult.
Recruiting battles: Bama vs. LSU Part II 
October, 31, 2012
10/31/12
8:48
AM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
We've covered the recent history of the fight for bluechip prospects between Alabama and LSU. Take a look at NFL rosters, and you'll these two SEC rivals well represented. Everyone who is anyone in the world of college football recruiting has been pursued by these two juggernauts -- particularly recruits from the Gulf Coast states.
With the alums of the rivalry behind us, let's take a look at who these two are pursuing:
ATH Kendell Beckwith (Clinton, La./East Feliciana): Louisiana's top-ranked player, one of the top uncommitted prospects in the ESPN 150 and a coveted pass rusher that both the Tigers and Tide would love to add to their classes. Beckwith has always been good to say that he's still considering other schools, such as Florida State and Tennessee. But he's made no bones since last spring that Alabama and LSU are his top choices. He'll be in attendance this weekend for the proceedings, so the winner is bound to get at least a few brownie points. But patience is the virtue here. Beckwith said earlier this month he intends to announce his decision in January at the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game.
With the alums of the rivalry behind us, let's take a look at who these two are pursuing:
ATH Kendell Beckwith (Clinton, La./East Feliciana): Louisiana's top-ranked player, one of the top uncommitted prospects in the ESPN 150 and a coveted pass rusher that both the Tigers and Tide would love to add to their classes. Beckwith has always been good to say that he's still considering other schools, such as Florida State and Tennessee. But he's made no bones since last spring that Alabama and LSU are his top choices. He'll be in attendance this weekend for the proceedings, so the winner is bound to get at least a few brownie points. But patience is the virtue here. Beckwith said earlier this month he intends to announce his decision in January at the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Priciest ticket this weekend? One guess ...
October, 30, 2012
10/30/12
3:47
PM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
No surprise, but the LSU-Alabama game is the hottest ticket in college football.
The average resale price for a ticket to Saturday's game pitting the nation's top-ranked Crimson Tide and the No. 5 Tigers is $752, according to TicketsNow. That's more than double the price of the second most coveted game, the Oregon at USC game (average price: $310).
This is of no surprise. LSU fans who have looked to sell their tickets have been asking for those kinds of prices since the summer. Some fans looked to sell their season tickets, except for the Alabama game.
The average resale price for a ticket to Saturday's game pitting the nation's top-ranked Crimson Tide and the No. 5 Tigers is $752, according to TicketsNow. That's more than double the price of the second most coveted game, the Oregon at USC game (average price: $310).
This is of no surprise. LSU fans who have looked to sell their tickets have been asking for those kinds of prices since the summer. Some fans looked to sell their season tickets, except for the Alabama game.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Since returning to the SEC in 2007 as Alabama’s coach, Nick Saban has won 39 of his 48 games against league opponents.
Four of those nine losses came in his first season at Alabama, and three were to the same coach.
He’s the same coach who will be on the home sideline Saturday night in Tiger Stadium when Alabama and LSU resume what has become one of college football’s premier rivalries.
And if Saban is indeed college football’s premier coach, LSU’s Les Miles at least deserves to be in that conversation.
Sure, they’re as different as Anchorage, Alaska and Maui, Hawaii, but Miles is one of the few coaches who’s had some degree of success against the guy he followed on the Bayou.
They’re deadlocked at 3-3. In fact, Miles beat Saban in back-to-back games in 2010 and 2011 (in the regular season). It was the first time Saban had lost to the same coach in consecutive years since his first two years at LSU when Steve Spurrier’s Gators walloped the Tigers 41-9 in 2000 and 44-15 in 2001.
Saban had won 12 straight rematch games until Miles came into Bryant-Denny Stadium last season and guided his Tigers to a 9-6 overtime win against the Crimson Tide in one of the most anticipated regular-season games in recent college football history.
Granted, that game is a mere footnote for a lot of people since Saban came back and prevented what would have been a hat trick for Miles.
Four of those nine losses came in his first season at Alabama, and three were to the same coach.
[+] Enlarge
Marvin Gentry/US PresswireLSU's Les Miles faces Alabama's Nick Saban for the third time in 12 months on Saturday night.
And if Saban is indeed college football’s premier coach, LSU’s Les Miles at least deserves to be in that conversation.
Sure, they’re as different as Anchorage, Alaska and Maui, Hawaii, but Miles is one of the few coaches who’s had some degree of success against the guy he followed on the Bayou.
They’re deadlocked at 3-3. In fact, Miles beat Saban in back-to-back games in 2010 and 2011 (in the regular season). It was the first time Saban had lost to the same coach in consecutive years since his first two years at LSU when Steve Spurrier’s Gators walloped the Tigers 41-9 in 2000 and 44-15 in 2001.
Saban had won 12 straight rematch games until Miles came into Bryant-Denny Stadium last season and guided his Tigers to a 9-6 overtime win against the Crimson Tide in one of the most anticipated regular-season games in recent college football history.
Granted, that game is a mere footnote for a lot of people since Saban came back and prevented what would have been a hat trick for Miles.
QB O'Connor a no-show, still likes Bama
October, 30, 2012
10/30/12
9:42
AM ET
By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Quarterback Michael O'Connor did not visit Alabama last weekend as previously planned. That, however, didn't hurt the Crimson Tide's standing with the 2015 prospect from Chattanooga (Tenn.) Baylor.
O'Connor had a late high school game on Friday evening. Still, he watched 'Bama on television.
"They played great -- best team in the country and I could see myself playing for Nick Saban," O'Connor said when asked about the Tide's 38-7 win over Mississippi State.
O'Connor certainly thinks highly of Alabama, whose recruiters have asked him for more game video. O'Connor plans to visit Alabama later this fall and also plans to participate in an individual workout in Tuscaloosa this spring. Just a sophomore, he already has six scholarship offers.
O'Connor had a late high school game on Friday evening. Still, he watched 'Bama on television.
"They played great -- best team in the country and I could see myself playing for Nick Saban," O'Connor said when asked about the Tide's 38-7 win over Mississippi State.
O'Connor certainly thinks highly of Alabama, whose recruiters have asked him for more game video. O'Connor plans to visit Alabama later this fall and also plans to participate in an individual workout in Tuscaloosa this spring. Just a sophomore, he already has six scholarship offers.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Recruiting Battles: Alabama vs. LSU
October, 30, 2012
10/30/12
9:06
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The stage was set. It was the 2012 Under Armour All-American Game. With his whole family behind him, ESPN 150 safety Landon Collins prepared to make his college decision in front of the entire country, on national television.
“I’m going to go with ‘Roll Tide Roll,’ ” Collins said as he put on the Crimson Tide gloves to signify where he was going to school.
The decision came as a surprise to most people, including his own mother, because Collins is a native of Louisiana. He opted to take the road less traveled and attend the school two states over rather than the one in his own backyard.
“I’m going to go with ‘Roll Tide Roll,’ ” Collins said as he put on the Crimson Tide gloves to signify where he was going to school.
The decision came as a surprise to most people, including his own mother, because Collins is a native of Louisiana. He opted to take the road less traveled and attend the school two states over rather than the one in his own backyard.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Watch List RB Thomas enjoys Bama visit
October, 29, 2012
10/29/12
10:51
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- ESPN Watch List running back Racean Thomas (Oxford, Ala./Oxford) has made Tuscaloosa a second home this fall. He’s been to nearly every Crimson Tide home game, and he was back again on Saturday for the Mississippi State game.
“That game was fun,” Thomas said. “I just got back down there again, saw those guys again, talked to some of the coaches again, and it was really just another experience for me.
“It’s pretty much becoming a home feeling for me because all of those guys talk talk to me like we’ve known each other for a long time.”
“That game was fun,” Thomas said. “I just got back down there again, saw those guys again, talked to some of the coaches again, and it was really just another experience for me.
“It’s pretty much becoming a home feeling for me because all of those guys talk talk to me like we’ve known each other for a long time.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Tide showing interest in junior college CB
October, 29, 2012
10/29/12
8:18
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
As Kansas State continues its run through college football victims, junior college cornerback Riyahd Jones (Garden City, Kan./Garden City Community College) continues to wonder what it would be like wearing the royal purple and white.
Jones, a 6-0, 185-pound sophomore, considers Kansas State as a front-runner in his recruiting process, and he recently had a chance to see what the future would look like. A Kansas State fan sent him a picture through Twitter. The picture was of a Kansas State player wearing No. 3 -- the same number he wears at Garden City.
The player, who appeared to be in a defensive back’s stance, was supposed to represent Jones.
Jones, a 6-0, 185-pound sophomore, considers Kansas State as a front-runner in his recruiting process, and he recently had a chance to see what the future would look like. A Kansas State fan sent him a picture through Twitter. The picture was of a Kansas State player wearing No. 3 -- the same number he wears at Garden City.
The player, who appeared to be in a defensive back’s stance, was supposed to represent Jones.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ArDarius Stewart returns to Tuscaloosa
October, 29, 2012
10/29/12
4:12
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- ESPN 300 athlete ArDarius Stewart (Fultondale, Ala./Fultondale) has become a regular at the Alabama home games. The Crimson Tide commitment was back in Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the Mississippi State game.
“The visit went good,” Stewart said. “It was nice, just like always. I went to see a couple players to see how they were going to play. I wanted to see T.J. Yeldon to see how he was going to hang on the field.”
Yeldon, a freshman running back, held own his own against the Bulldogs. He finished with 10 carries for 84 yards and scored the Tide’s first touchdown on an 11-yard scamper.
“The visit went good,” Stewart said. “It was nice, just like always. I went to see a couple players to see how they were going to play. I wanted to see T.J. Yeldon to see how he was going to hang on the field.”
Yeldon, a freshman running back, held own his own against the Bulldogs. He finished with 10 carries for 84 yards and scored the Tide’s first touchdown on an 11-yard scamper.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GeauxTigerNation links: Stepping up
October, 29, 2012
10/29/12
2:09
PM ET
By GeauxTigerNation staff | ESPN.com
Gary Laney writes
: The Tigers are coming off a bye and will host Alabama this weekend. Here are 10 LSU players who need to raise their games in order to get past the nation’s top team.
Laney writes: LSU will host several of the nation’s top defensive tackle recruits this weekend, and Justin Manning is hoping for a home victory.
: The Tigers are coming off a bye and will host Alabama this weekend. Here are 10 LSU players who need to raise their games in order to get past the nation’s top team.
Laney writes
: LSU will host several of the nation’s top defensive tackle recruits this weekend, and Justin Manning is hoping for a home victory.Part 3 of Alabama-LSU is finally here
October, 29, 2012
10/29/12
1:09
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
You’ve waited long enough.
For 10 months, you courageously sat through spring/fall ball, NBA playoffs, the Olympics, Tiger Woods coming and falling back, and the very, very long MLB season just to get to this moment.
"The Game of Games: Part III."
Trilogies can jump the shark ("Matrix" trilogy, anyone?), but we’ve had some classics (thank you, "Godfather" and original "Star Wars"). The hope is that Game 3 between Alabama and LSU will live up to its blockbuster billing.
LSU’s loss to Florida and its mediocre passing game has taken a little of the luster out of this one -- especially with Alabama currently dismantling everything in its path -- but people worried about "The Dark Knight Rises" disappointing and it didn’t even come close.
(Don’t even try to argue that last point because you won’t get far at all.)
And Saturday’s game in Baton Rouge, La., between No. 1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) and No. 5 LSU (7-1, 3-1) has the chance to be epic. No, we don't have a Honey Badger or Trent Richardson, but we have two swarming defenses and major BCS implications on the line. An SEC and national championship appearance are there for both, and it’s a chance for one squad to break the 1-1 tie these teams, which are very similar to the ones that battled twice last year, have.
It also will break the 3-3 tie Nick Saban and Les Miles have against each other.
Now, Saban and his Crimson Tide have the edge when it comes to style points. A 21-0 drubbing of LSU in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game last year trumps the Tigers’ 9-6 overtime win against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
For 10 months, you courageously sat through spring/fall ball, NBA playoffs, the Olympics, Tiger Woods coming and falling back, and the very, very long MLB season just to get to this moment.
"The Game of Games: Part III."
Trilogies can jump the shark ("Matrix" trilogy, anyone?), but we’ve had some classics (thank you, "Godfather" and original "Star Wars"). The hope is that Game 3 between Alabama and LSU will live up to its blockbuster billing.
[+] Enlarge
Cal Sport Media via AP ImagesAJ McCarron showed in last season's BCS Championship Game that Alabama has an edge over LSU in the passing game.
(Don’t even try to argue that last point because you won’t get far at all.)
And Saturday’s game in Baton Rouge, La., between No. 1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) and No. 5 LSU (7-1, 3-1) has the chance to be epic. No, we don't have a Honey Badger or Trent Richardson, but we have two swarming defenses and major BCS implications on the line. An SEC and national championship appearance are there for both, and it’s a chance for one squad to break the 1-1 tie these teams, which are very similar to the ones that battled twice last year, have.
It also will break the 3-3 tie Nick Saban and Les Miles have against each other.
Now, Saban and his Crimson Tide have the edge when it comes to style points. A 21-0 drubbing of LSU in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game last year trumps the Tigers’ 9-6 overtime win against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
David Dawson announces new top three
October, 29, 2012
10/29/12
11:37
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The No. 1 offensive guard in the nation has put out a new top three and it has a Big Ten feel as Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin -- in no particular order -- will now be in a dogfight for the services of David Dawson (Detroit/Cass Tech).
The 6-foot-4, 282-pound senior -- ranked 87th overall in the ESPN 150 -- was thought to be a heavy lean toward Florida after taking an official visit on Oct. 19.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The tens of thousands in the stands were nice. One meeting, however, stood out.
Following his visit to Tuscaloosa, Ala., this weekend, Jeb Blazevich most remembers one conversation -- with head coach Nick Saban.
"He explained their program and said he thought I could be successful in the system and to get him more film," said Blazevich, an ESPN Watch List tight end from Charlotte (N.C.) Christian.
Following his visit to Tuscaloosa, Ala., this weekend, Jeb Blazevich most remembers one conversation -- with head coach Nick Saban.
"He explained their program and said he thought I could be successful in the system and to get him more film," said Blazevich, an ESPN Watch List tight end from Charlotte (N.C.) Christian.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The University of Alabama, the nation’s No. 1 team, looked good on the field with a 38-7 win over Mississippi State on Saturday, and it also had a good weekend off the field in recruiting. The Crimson Tide hosted a trio of ESPN 150 stars -- Montravius Adams, Robert Foster and Dee Liner -- among others.
Of all the visitors, Foster was the lone official visitor of the weekend. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver from Monaca, Pa., tweeted that he loved his visit to Alabama while on the way to the airport. He still plans to take official visits to Ohio State and Pittsburgh before he makes a decision between those three schools.
With Adams, the Tide have some work to do if they want to move back into the picture, but a visit over the weekend only helped their chances. The 6-foot-3, 281-pound defensive tackle said he feels more comfortable in a 4-3 defense, but the UA coaching staff assured him he could fit just as well in their 3-4. They said they would use him like they did former All-American Marcell Dareus.
Of all the visitors, Foster was the lone official visitor of the weekend. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver from Monaca, Pa., tweeted that he loved his visit to Alabama while on the way to the airport. He still plans to take official visits to Ohio State and Pittsburgh before he makes a decision between those three schools.
With Adams, the Tide have some work to do if they want to move back into the picture, but a visit over the weekend only helped their chances. The 6-foot-3, 281-pound defensive tackle said he feels more comfortable in a 4-3 defense, but the UA coaching staff assured him he could fit just as well in their 3-4. They said they would use him like they did former All-American Marcell Dareus.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.