Friday, December 9, 2 2011 011
Championship Edition of
Serving S i the h University U i i off Alabama Al b since i 1894
Vol. 118, Issue 67
EDITORIAL Victor Luckerson editor-in-chief editor@cw.ua.edu Jonathan Reed managing editor jonathanreedcw@gmail.com
A student’s guide to travel and lodging for the BCS National Championship Game
Lowest flight prices, as of Dec. 8 Atlanta, Ga.
from $315
Birmingham, Ala.
from $182
Nashville, Tenn.
from $351
from Tuscaloosa to New Orleans fro
Will Tucker assistant managing editor wjtucker1@gmail.com
(departing on Jan. 7)
Taylor Holland news editor newsdesk@cw.ua.edu
$61
Katherine Martin assistant news editor newsdesk@cw.ua.edu
Departs at 8:55 a.m., arrives at 8:35 p.m. Jan. 7 Departs at 4:05 p.m., arrives at 5:30 a.m. Jan. 8 Departs at 10:15 p.m., arrives at 5:20 p.m. Jan. 8
Stephen Dethrage assistant news editor newsdesk@cw.ua.edu
Hotels within 65 Miles of New Orleans
Malcolm Cammeron community manager outreach@cw.ua.edu
City
Ann Sample assistant community manager Stephanie Brumfield lifestyles editor lifestyles@cw.ua.edu Ashley Chaffin assistant lifestyles editor Tony Tsoukalas sports editor Marquavius Burnett assistant sports editor Tray Smith opinions editor
Distance from New Orleans
Hotel
Price (per night)
Metairie
8 miles
all booked
Mandeville
35 miles
all booked
Slidell
34 miles
LaQuinta Inn
from $109
LaPlace
29 miles
LaPlace Motel
from $137
Covington
43 miles
Hammond
58 miles
Colonial Inn
from $57
Thibodaux
63 miles
Days Inn and Suites
from $68
Super 8
John Davis chief copy editor Kyle Carey design editor Jessie Hancock assistant design editor Evan Szczepanski graphics editor Drew Hoover photo editor Megan Smith assistant photo editor Tyler Crompton web editor Lindsay Dennis assistant web editor Daniel Roth multimedia editor
ADVERTISING Emily Richards 348-8995 Advertising Manager cwadmanager@gmail.com Brittany Key 348-2598 Territory Manager Amy Ramsey 348-7355 National Representative Classifieds Coordinator Lauren Aylworth 348-8042 Creative Services Manager Nikki Amthor 348-8742 Greg Woods 348-8054 Tori Hall 348-6153 Rob Clark 348-4367 Will DeShazo 348-8041 Jessica West 348-8054 Ben Gordon 348-8042 Lauren Gallas 348-8042 Coleman Richards Special Projects Account Rep
The Crimson White is the community newspaper of The University of Alabama. The Crimson White is an editorially free newspaper produced by students. The University of Alabama cannot influence editorial decisions and editorial opinions are those of the editorial board and do not represent the official opinions of the University. Advertising offices of The Crimson White are on the first floor, Student Publications Building, 923 University Blvd. The advertising mailing address is P.O. Box 2389, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-2389. The Crimson White (USPS 138020) is published four times weekly when classes are in session during Fall and Spring Semester except for the Monday after Spring Break and the Monday after Thanksgiving, and once a week when school is in session for the summer. Marked calendar provided. The Crimson White is provided for free up to three issues. Any other papers are $1.00. The subscription rate for The Crimson White is $125 per year. Checks should be made payable to The University of Alabama and sent to: The Crimson White Subscription Department, P.O. Box 2389, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-2389. The Crimson White is entered as periodical postage at Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Crimson White, P.O. Box 2389, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-2389. All material contained herein, except advertising or where indicated otherwise, is Copyright © 2010 by The Crimson White and protected under the “Work Made for Hire” and “Periodical Publication” categories of the U.S. copyright laws. Material herein may not be reprinted without the expressed, written permission of The Crimson White.
Front-page design: CW | Kyle Carey The Crimson White’s front page consists of photos taken at every football game in the 2011 season and photos from each week’s Crimson Tide practice. Each photo represents all the moments from this season that have led to Alabama’s appearance in the BCS National Championship Game against LSU. The players’ eyes are fixed on the ball, representing the Coaches’ Trophy, which is awarded to the winner of the BCS Championship Game. The play featured in the main photo is of Alabama wide receiver Kenny Bell (7) and LSU’s Morris Claiborne (18). The play resulted in an incomplete pass. Main Photo: CW | Drew Hoover
from $76 CW | Taylor Stec
Page 2• Friday, December 9, 2011
Contributing Photos: CW | Megan Smith, Harish Rao, Mitchell Hughes, Megan Hughes, John Michael Simpson, Kate Bennett, Drew Hoover
UA, SGA plan championship parties Stephen N. Dethrage and Katherine Martin The Crimson White The Student Government Association, the University of Alabama Alumni Association and College Sports Events will be hosting what they are calling the official pre-game party in New Orleans the day before Alabama faces LSU in the BCS National Championship. “What we’re doing is basically a big party for anyone traveling to New Orleans, regardless of whether they have a ticket,” said Mark Roberts, the Alumni Association’s Manager of Chapter Development and Special Events. “Anyone can come and bring their friends and family.” The Alumni Association said they plan for thousands of fans to attend the event, called the Bama Bowl Bash in the Big Easy and celebrate with them in the New Orleans Conference Center the night before the game, Sunday, Jan. 8. “It’s called the Bama Bowl Bash, at the New Orleans
IF YOU’RE IN NEW ORLEANS • What: Bama Bowl Bash
• Where: New Orleans Convention Center
• When: Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.
• Cost: $30 for students, $40 for adults The Bama Bowl Bash will be held at the New Orleans Convention Center. Submitted Photo Convention Center, and basically it’s a pep rally but much better,” said Ashley Hodges, the Alumni Events Coordinator for the Alabama Alumni Association. “We’ve got a great line up of coaches and players, including Coach Stallings, as well
as members of the ‘92 team,” Roberts said. “They’re significant because they played in the Sugar Bowl, and we hope they’ll speak on what it was like to be a part of Alabama’s last trip into the Superdome.” “We’re really excited to be part of such a high profile event, not only for the SGA, but for the student body as a whole,” said David Wilson, vice president for student affairs. “This is a great opportunity for students, whether they are planning on attending the game or not. It’s going to be a lot of fun.” Hodges said the Alumni Association held a similar event before the 2010 championship game in Pasadena, but that because of the distance to travel, the size of the venue
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Zachary Riggins The Ferguson Center will host a viewing party for the national championship game. and the personalities of the bowl games, the two weren’t easy to compare. “After the 2009 season, we hosted a tailgate in Pasadena the day of the game, but that was a much smaller scale than what we have planned,” Hodges said. “We know this will be much bigger – there’s just a ton of differences between New Orleans and Pasadena. The Rose Bowl is out in a field, and you can just set up a tent and tailgate and have fun. This, though, is the New Orleans Convention Center. It’s going to be big.” The event will boast an autograph and picture session with the UA football legends in attendance, live music, door prizes and a dance floor and dance contest. In addition, there will a cash bar and the BAMA Merchandise Village to purchase game-day gear. “It’s not just for alumni,” Roberts said. “We’ve got a discounted student price on there, so students can come if they’d like to, and we want them to realize everyone’s welcome: alumni, students and family. Tickets to the celebration are $30 for student and children, $40 for adults and $100
IF YOU’RE IN TUSCALOOSA • What: Ferg tailgate and viewing party
• Where: Ferguson Center
• When: Jan. 9
for the Crimson VIP Package that includes dinner with the guest of honor and admission to the bash. Those in New Orleans also have the opportunity to volunteer for community service. SGA is partnering with the Community Service Center to provide options the day before the game. For students who plan to be on campus for the big game, SGA is working with the Ferguson Center and other student organizations to host a tailgate and viewing party in the Ferg. Students are encouraged to check their Crimson Mail accounts over the Christmas break for details on tickets and other events.
The Crimson White
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Friday, December 9, 2011
3
R e m at c h of t h e C en t ury By Laura Owens lkowens@crimson.ua.edu @laurako_O
While Nov. 5 was labeled the “Game of the Century,� Jan. 9 has become the “Rematch of the Century.� In an unprecedented move, Alabama and LSU, both from the same conference, were selected Sunday to play for the BCS National Championship game in New Orleans. The first time these two teams met, Alabama came out on the short end of a 9-6 overtime game. The then-No. 2 Crimson Tide only dropped one spot, while LSU stayed at No. 1, going on to a 13-0 season and an SEC Championship. After the loss to LSU, offensive lineman Barrett Jones said the team was frustrated, having put so much emotion into the game and still suffering the loss. “Ever since then we’ve really just wanted another opportunity, and I think we’re going to get that,� he said. “We’re excited about another shot.� When the Tide fell to No. 3, its fate was no longer only up to how the team played. Oklahoma State was still in the way, and the Cowboys didn’t look like they’d fall until the last game of their season against Oklahoma. But on Nov. 18, when they went on the road to play Iowa State, the Cyclones prevailed in overtime. Jones said while the team knew they still had to win out, they were also happy to be back in the No. 2 spot. “I think we took care of business our next two games, and that’s put us in a great position to win the national championship,� he said. Oklahoma State moved back into the No. 3 spot when Arkansas lost to LSU and the Cowboys soundly defeated Oklahoma. With their victory, the biggest question last week-
This should be a totally different type of game. There’s so many good players on both sides of the ball for both teams, I just think there’s a lot of opportunity for the game to be completely different. — Nick Saban
end became whether it would be enough for the Cowboys to jump Alabama. Sunday night during the BCS unveiling show, the team was at a banquet. Head coach Nick Saban said he knew Alabama would be No. 2 right before the show started, but did not tell the team. “Our players learned about it at the banquet when we piped the ESPN show to them,� he said. “They were extremely excited to have the opportunity to play the BCS National Championship Game.� Jones said waiting to find out at the banquet was a nervous experience. “We had to sit there and watch it on TV as a team, but I think all of us were optimistic,� he said. “We were really excited when we saw the little tab flip over and No. 3 was Oklahoma State, and we knew that it meant we were No. 2. We were really excited, and I guess relieved, that we get another chance.� Now with another shot at LSU, Jones said the team would probably do nothing differently in preparation for their second meeting with the Tigers. “I just think we’ve got to focus on executing better,� he said. “That’s what we didn’t do in the LSU game. We didn’t execute very well at times, and I think that’ll be our focus.� While there’s controversy about the fact that this game is a rematch, Saban said teams split the series all the time in the NFL. He said if Alabama wins the national championship, they will be the national
champion, regardless of the split series. “This should be a totally different type of game,� he said. “There’s so many good players on both sides of the ball for both teams, I just think there’s a lot of opportunity for the game to be completely different.� LSU head coach Les Miles said he hadn’t thought about if LSU still deserved a share in the national champion title even if it lost this game to Alabama. Beating Alabama and Arkansas won LSU the Western Division, which he said was important and a big accomplishment for his team, and while it was an honor to win the SEC championship, the opportunity to play for the national championship was a completely different scenario. “We’re going to enjoy this,� he said. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for both teams, and we’re certainly looking forward to it.� While the last game was in Tuscaloosa, this game will be in LSU’s backyard. Saban said when his LSU team played for the national title game in 2003, he thought being in New Orleans was an advantage, and perhaps it will be again this year, when he’s on the other side of it. “New Orleans is in Louisiana and an hour and 45 minutes from Baton Rouge, and there’s a lot of LSU fans in Louisiana,� he said. “I’m sure that our Alabama fans will represent us extremely well, but it’s obviously going to be a little bit of a home field advantage, playing at the Sugar Bowl.�
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Friday, December 9, 2011
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
The Crimson White
Superdome standing strong six years after Katrina By Taylor Holland News Editor newsdesk@cw.ua.edu
The Superdome will play host to its third ever BCS National Championship Game, and first since 2008, when the Alabama Crimson Tide face off against the LSU Tigers on Jan. 9. Completed in 1975, the Superdome seats 73,208 people and has previously hosted six Super Bowls and four NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Fours, as well as seen Muhammad Ali defeat Leon Spinks and George H. Bush nominated for reelection at the 1988 Republican National Convention. The University of Alabama was allotted 17,000 tickets to this year’s national championship game, Associate Athletics Director Doug Walker said. The school’s seats will be on the lower lefthand side, near the visitor’s bench. Students will be seated in sections 124 to 127, he said. It is estimated that between 25,000 and 30,000 people sought protection inside the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, despite the massive damage the building sustained, according to a Superdome media kit. When the doors opened for the first time after the storm, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23-3 before a national TV audience on Monday Night Football, according to the media kit. “What visitors will see in the Superdome is major transformational change,” said SMG Senior Vice President Doug Thornton. “After Katrina, we had a strategic vision to recreate the building into an ultra-modern stadium that would accomplish numerous objectives, including reigniting a major economic engine, securing the Saints long-term and returning an icon to the New Orleans skyline.” The multi-phase project of rebuilding the Superdome cost a total of $336 million, of which $156 million came from FEMA, the kit said. Since the Superdome reopened in 2006, the events held at the facility have had a total fiscal impact of $4.1 billion on the Louisiana economy, according to a study by the University of New Orleans’s Division of Business Economic Research. Last October, it was announced that the Saints and Mercedes-Benz had reached an agreement to name the recently renovated building the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. “The Superdome is in the very heart of this city’s history and character – a symbol that says no matter what challenges come before us, we can triumph in the face of overwhelming odds,” said Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in a statement on his website. Jindal said every time he’s run for governor, LSU has gone to the BCS National Championship in New Orleans and won. The first time he ran, in the year 2003, then-head coach Nick Saban led the Tigers to the title. Although Jindal lost
that year’s election, he was victorious in 2007, a year that saw Les Miles lead the team to a championship just months later. “We’re proud to not only have LSU heading
to the BCS National Championship, but also to have the opportunity for the Tigers to play in Louisiana at the Superdome, which will make for a great game for LSU fans and our state,”
Jindal said. “Coach Miles and his team have fought hard to get where they are – and I have no doubt on Jan. 9, the nation is going to see some great LSU football.”
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Friday, December 9, 2011
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
The Crimson White
FOOTBALL
A look at the all-time greatest football rematches By Zac Al-Khateeb Sports Reporter zialkhateeb@crimson.ua.edu @ZacAlKhateeb Unless you’ve lived under a rock for the past week, you already know that the epic rematch of the “Game of the Century� is on between the No. 1 Tigers of LSU and the No. 2 Crimson Tide of Alabama, this time for the BCS National Championship. Still, many pundits and fans nationwide are grumbling that Alabama doesn’t deserve the shot at a rematch, that it had its chance and that Oklahoma State, another 11-1 team who actually won their conference, should be given the same opportunity to play against LSU. But, despite all the grumblings, this will not be the first time two teams have had to play rematches of games with national championship implications. For example, in 1945, in what many consider to be the first “Game of
the Century,� the No. 1 Army Black Knights took on the No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish; it was assumed the victor in the matchup would continue on to be crowned national champions. The game turned out to be a romp, and Army came away with a 48-0 win. Army would indeed win the national championship that year, while Notre Dame finished No. 9 in the polls. However, the 1946 version of the game, in which both teams again met as No. 1 and No. 2, featured a scoreless tie. For whatever reason, Notre Dame jumped Army in the polls, finishing the season on top of the college football world, while Army finished No. 2. But still, many would say the match-up featured teams that had a rematch in different seasons, and it was therefore not unfair to ask the two teams to play each other again. But in one pre-BCS Bowl era, two teams actually did meet up in the regular season and in the post season: and what’s more, the matchups featured
two hated rivals, the Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles. What makes the rematch even more intriguing is the fact that both teams were competing in the Sugar Bowl for the national championship. Rewind 15 years to 1996. The No. 1 Gators were taking on their cross-state rivals, the Seminoles, ranked No. 2. In what turned out to be a great game, FSU came away with a 24-21 win, preserving its chances at a national championship while Florida was seemingly knocked out of picture. Florida was able to remain unbeaten the rest of the season, though, working their way to the No. 2 spot. The Gators had earned their rematch against the only team that had beaten them in the regular season: the Seminoles, who were the nation’s best team. The Gators were able to exact revenge on their hated rivals, as they whipped the Seminoles 52-20 and came away with the school’s first national title. FSU
fell to No. 3 at the end of the season. The Tide is no stranger to epic rematches. In 2008, in what many consider Alabama’s resurgence back to the top of college football, an undefeated Alabama had one final obstacle between it and the national championship game: the No. 2 Florida Gators. But again, the Gators ruined their national title hopes. Led by Tim Tebow, the Gators had a fourth quarter rally to take the SEC championship, 31-20. With the core of the team coming back the next year, the Tide seemed destined to once again meet up with the Gators. Unfortunately for the Gators, Alabama came into the game ready to play, and thoroughly defeated Florida, 32-13. With the win, Alabama continued on to take the national title against Texas in the Rose Bowl. Despite the attention the BCS National Championship Game is receiving, however, it isn’t the only game this season to feature an intriguing rematch. Earlier this year in the Big Ten, the
No. 15 Michigan State Spartans upset the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers on a lastsecond desperation heave to the end zone. Despite all odds, Spartan receiver Keith Nichol caught the pass, ending the game and giving the Spartans a thrilling 37-31 victory, and knocking Wisconsin from the ranks of the unbeaten. With the Big Ten initiating its inaugural Big Ten Championship Game, the Badgers would have one more shot to take down the Spartans. The rematch was just as exciting, but this time, the No. 15 Badgers sank the No. 11 Spartans, 42-39 and claimed the Badgers’ second Big Ten title in two years. So, whether the game has national or conference title implications (as if there’s a difference in the SEC), it just goes to show that rematches are a great part of the college football tradition. And for the Crimson Tide and Bayou Bengals, the rematch will provide perhaps one of the greatest matchups college football has ever seen.
Submitted Photo This Daniel Moore painting illustrates Trent Richardson (3) avoiding a tackle by Auburn defensive back Jonathon Mincy.
Football immortalized in paintings Artist Daniel Moore recreates the Tide’s greatest moments
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By Will Edwards Staff Reporter wgedwards@crimson.ua.edu Football is said to be an art form in itself; players move acrobatically down and across the field creating idyllic images in the fleeting moments of a play. We see these awe-inspiring images only as they speed by, hoping for a second slowmotion look, but artist Daniel Moore takes these fleeting images and creates paintings that Alabama fans have collected and coveted for three decades. “I try to communicate a positive message to all who see my paintings, not just document a game like a picture does,� Moore said. “There is some of my heart and soul in every
painting that I do.� Having grown up with an art teacher for a mother and an avid sports fan for a father, Moore, 57, has been interested in both art and sports since his childhood. To him it only made sense to mix the two. “Dad kept me in cleats and a baseball glove while Mom kept me with crayons and water colors,� Moore said. Moore has been painting images of Alabama football since the 1979 Sugar Bowl, when the Crimson Tide’s famous goal line stand inspired him to quit his job as a staff artist for Alabama Power and paint full-time. Since then, his paintings have become fixtures on the walls of Alabama fans across the country. “The Alabama football art
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market was something that didn’t really exist, and since I already loved both the Tide and art, I was happy to kind of pioneer and develop it,� Moore said. Moore’s newest work will feature Alabama’s latest Iron Bowl victory with an image of Trent Richardson evading an Auburn defender to score a touchdown in what Moore calls a “Heisman caliber run.� He hopes for the painting to portray the message “Never Again,� a vow Coach Saban made to the team following Auburn’s comeback victory in 2010. “I couldn’t think of any better example of the determination they showed than Richardson’s run,� Moore said. “It has all the elements.� From the muscles in Richardson’s arms to his facial expression, Moore does everything in his art deliberately. He said he wants people to look at it and immediately see the determination with which Alabama played that entire game. To Moore, that’s the big difference in art and mere photos of games. “The subject matter for that game lends itself to art,� Moore said. “Some of our greatest lessons are learned through mistakes and our vows not to repeat those mistakes.� Moore understands that there is a bit of a misconception that he only does art that focuses on Alabama football. Since teaming with the United States Sports Academy in 2006, Moore has painted an image of whatever their selection committee determines to be the winner of the “College Football Game of the Year Award.� The selections have featured everything from Appalachian State’s win over Michigan in 2007 to Auburn’s victory over Oregon in the National Championship Game last year. Moore said this work broadens his outreach. While currently he is busy at work with his latest piece, “Never Again,� Moore said that if Alabama wins another national championship this year, he is sure to paint an image celebrating the win. “In a word, absolutely,� Moore said.
The Crimson White
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Friday, December 9, 2011
7
LSU students sound off on Tide’s second chance LSU fans celebrate after their win over Alabama in BryantDenny Stadium on Nov. 5.
By Lis García Contributing Writer
Students at Louisiana State University have voiced their opinions of the upcoming Tide-Tiger rematch in the BCS National Championship game, and they weren’t gentle. “There’s no such thing as a rematch,” said Abby Joyce, a sophomore majoring in mass communication. “[LSU] won, they played their hearts out, they won their conference, they are No. 1 - sorry that Alabama is second best this time.” Cody Wells, LSU’s Student Government Association president, has no fear of a loss. “Between the Honeybadger and Hilliard, the Tigers will be scoring in intervals of sevens, not threes,” he said in an email. “Maybe y’all will win if the Superdome puts four goal posts in the end zone.” Wells said the team has only improved since its defeat of Alabama, and players have not sustained serious injuries, ensuring a win for the Tigers. He said championship day preparation hasn’t just started; campus has been
CW | Drew Hoover ready for the entire season. However, this week students are preparing for a different type of stressor: finals. “Students have been asking
one question: If Alabama students fail their final exams, do they get to re-take them?” Wells said, according to a post on the official LSU Student
Government Facebook page. “If Alabama’s academics are anything like their athletics – they just might get a second chance.”
Devin Conway, an LSU junior, echoed the sentiment, saying LSU should not have to beat Alabama again. He reasoned that LSU would have had a
much easier time beating Oklahoma State University, the team Alabama rivaled for a spot in the championship. Like UA, Oklahoma State has only lost one game – against Iowa State, an unranked team. Conway said the only good thing arising from the rematch is the guarantee of another SEC national champion. Many students don’t expect an easy win from the Tide. “Alabama fans are being given a second chance to win, so I definitely think they will bring everything they’ve got and play hard,” Joyce said. “It will be a game of lots of talent and skill from both teams.” Joyce said the campus and surrounding areas have already begun preparing for the game, decorating with every possible piece of LSU memorabilia. Joyce agreed that the championship will prove LSU is the best team in the nation, but she later wavered. “I don’t think it’s fair that Alabama gets another chance, because if we happen to lose the game, which we won’t, but just if we do, we won’t get another chance to win,” she said.
Tuscaloosa bars plan specials for BCS championship game By Courtney Stinson Contributing Writer
In case you didn’t hear the jubilant cry across Tuscaloosa on Sunday, the Crimson Tide is playing in the BSC National Championship. Unfortunately, tickets and hotel rooms for the game are becoming more expensive and harder to come by. If you can’t make it to New Orleans for the game, you can still enjoy the fun of the gameday atmosphere at several of Tuscaloosa’s sports bars and
restaurants that are gearing up for the game on Jan. 9. You can enjoy delicious gameday food and drinks at both Wings U in Midtown and Buffalo Phil’s on the Strip. Both restaurants will be showing the game, and Phil’s will be running drink specials during the game. After the Tide’s last BCS victory in 2010, Phil’s even had celebratory champagne. Copper Top, located at 2300 4th St., will host a free cookout starting around 5 p.m. on game day. They will
have drink specials, including 50-cent drafts prior to the game. For those who can make it to New Orleans, Copper Top will begin selling wristbands about three weeks prior to the game for a party they are hosting at a New Orleans bar in collaboration with Innisfree. For more BCS championship game day specials, check back closer to the time as many bars are expected to continue making plans as the game nears.
Proudly supporting the Crimson Tide and 13 National Championships Flags, We look forward to #14! Roll Tide!
A visibly nervous crowd gathers at Buffalo Philʼs to watch the BCS selection show.
CW | Pete Pajor
8 Friday, December 9, 2011
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
The Crimson White
New Orleans Travel Guide The sights, sounds and smells of the Big Easy provide a football distraction
By Alex Cohen Senior Staff Reporter accohen@crimson.ua.edu
Frenchmen Street offers live music and cheap drinks
that limited experience fuels a desire for more yumminess.
Lil Dizzy’s Café (1500 Esplanade Avenue) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This neighborhood café truly offers a taste of the town, from shrimp omelettes for breakfast to calf’s liver for lunch. Your best bet may be going off-hours. Most things are under $12, and the owner’s family has been creating Creole cuisine for generations.
Elizabeth’s Restaurant
BARS Bourbon Street
(601 Gallier Street) Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., bar open from 5 p.m. ‘til close Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., bar open from 5 p.m. ‘til close Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
grabbing a Hand Grenade or Huge Ass Beer as you take in Bourbon’s nightlife.
(French Quarter)
Frenchmen Street
Everyone has heard of Bourbon Street. Named for the ruling French family during the city’s founding, Bourbon Street is laden with restaurants, bars, strip clubs and shops catering to tourists. Some notable clubs include Larry Flynt’s Barely Legal Club, The Famous Door and The Cat’s Meow. Take advantage of open-container laws by
(Seventh Ward, a mile from the French Quarter)
Sometimes known as the Bourbon Street for locals, Frenchmen offers cheaper drinks and better live music than its touristy counterpart. Snug Harbor and The Mansion are the more well-known music joints, but check out the Blue Nile or Café Negril for some of the best local sounds.
DINING
for a busy atmosphere, counter service and vivacious waiters hauling huge omelettes Camellia Grill and burgers, Camellia Grill (626 South Carrollton Avenue) often has a line of tourists and Sunday through Thursday, 8 locals out its door. Thankfully, a.m. to 11 p.m. it moves quickly. Don’t misFriday through Saturday, 8 a.m. take this for a glorified to 1 a.m. Waffle House—it is so much This diner is a landmark and more. I can only speak for probably hasn’t changed much the Manhattan omelette and since opening in 1946. Known chocolate cherry freeze, but
Elizabeth’s has been written about in the New York Times and is a great spot for a casual brunch. Its slogan, “real food done real good,” may be enough to bring in hungry Alabama fans. Also, the lower Ninth Ward illustrates the ongoing recovery struggle since Katrina. The devastation may be interesting to Tuscaloosa natives also affected by nature’s storms.
The Crimson White
Friday, December 9, 2011
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located on its sidewalks during colonial times. With six miles of road cutting through Uptown and the Garden district, the street is home to everything from restaurants to antique stores—all sporting vibrant architecture.
Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle. Take a gander at the elephant presentation if you can’t stop thinking about football. If you’re a Tom Robbins fan, you’ll appreciate the highly-endangered whooping cranes.
Backstreet Cultural Museum
Algiers Point is the second oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, located across the river from the rest of the city. Accessible by ferry, Algiers Point is a great place to get a cup of coffee and see some wonderful examples of architecture, including Greek revival, Victorian, French Colonial and shotgun homes. There’s even a gothic cathedral that dominates the Algiers Point skyline.
(1116 Saint Claude Avenue) Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. backstreetmuseum.org
If you want an authentic look at the culture that makes the real New Orleans, visit this museum. Its collection includes costumes and artifacts animating African American culture. Take a peak at the Mardi Gras Indians’ exhibit. An entire walkthrough should only take half an hour and costs an $8 donation.
Algiers Point
Audubon Aquarium (1 Canal Street) Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $20 for adults auduboninstitute.org
Café du Monde (800 Decatur Street) Open 24/7
This café has become somewhat of a chain with many locations spattered all over Louisiana. But the original, opened in 1862, is on Decatur in the French Quarter. It’s a coffee shop known for its Louisiana chicory and beignets. Good pit stop for any powdered sugar enthusiast.
Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar (739 Iberville Street) Monday through Thursday, Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight
Located a block off Canal St.
at the corner of Iberville and Bourbon, Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar has been owned and operated by the same family for over 60 years. Traditional New Orleans dishes are on the menu, sure, but the real attraction here are the oysters on the halfshell. Felix’s is the definition of hole-in-the-wall, so look for the neon green sign on the balcony overhead. And if it happens to be Wednesday, get ready for a free draft beer with every dozen oysters.
ACTIVITIES Magazine Street It’s named for a ‘magazin,’ a warehouse storing trade goods,
Along the banks of the Mississippi, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is right on the edge of the Quarter. With hundreds of exotic species from sharks to sea otters, the aquarium will satisfy anyone’s aquatic curiosity. Noteworthy exhibits showcase wildlife form the Caribbean, Amazon, Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River. Feed some stingrays or see an IMAX.
The Audubon Zoo (6500 Magazine Street) Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $15 for adults auduboninstitute.org
Also part of the Audubon Nature Institute, the Audubon Zoo is home to thousands of animals. Its more famous exhibits are the
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The Crimson White
11
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Friday, December 9, 2011
Answering the question: What happened? By Brett Hudson Senior Sports Reporter bbhudson@crimson.ua.edu @Brett_Hudson After being forced into overtime, the Game of the Century had ended in a 9-6 LSU win and fans began to file out of Bryant-Denny Stadium. Most of the crimson-clad men and women had the same look on their faces: a mix of confusion, shock, anger and depression. But, as center William Vlachos said after the game, “If we continue to keep the foot on the pedal and get better, I think we have a chance to do something very, very special this season.” Going into a rematch of that game with the most special prize in college football at stake, it is clear that Alabama has to correct the mistakes it made in the Nov. 5 showdown that left the fan base so astounded to win the BCS National Championship.
CW | Drew Hoover
CW | John Michael Simpson Top: Dre Kirkpatrick lies on the ground after receiving a personal foul hit from Tyran Mathieu.
Move the ball effectively in LSU territory The popular thing to do is to blame the loss on Alabama place kickers Cade Foster and Jeremy Shelley, who went a combined 2-for-6 against LSU. However, looking at the numbers, the three kicks that were missed (the fourth missed field goal was blocked) were from distances of 44, 50 and 52 yards. Those kicks are difficult even for the best college kickers around. In fact, not one of the three kickers that are finalists for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s best placekicker, are perfect from 40-49 yards. They also combine to be only 50 percent from 50 yards and further. Had Alabama’s offense been more effective moving the ball in LSU territory, the kickers would have had much easier attempts. For example, on the first possession of the game, Trent Richardson caught a pass from AJ McCarron for 22 yards to get the ball in LSU territory. The following play, the first in LSU territory, was a Richardson run for a loss of five yards. Alabama was forced to settle for a fourth and seven, resulting in Foster’s 44-yard miss. Alabama was able to push deep into LSU territory in the second possession, off of a
Bottom: Morris Claiborne intercepts an AJ McCarron pass during the LSU game. Right: Alabama fans mourn the 9-6 ovetime loss to LSU on Nov. CW | John Michael Simpson 5. 20-yard run from Eddie Lacy. Then, Alabama got a five-yard illegal substitution penalty, followed by two more runs from Lacy that totaled a loss of five yards. With the momentum killed, Alabama was forced to settle for a 44-yard field goal, Foster’s second miss. With an extra first down or two, the Crimson Tide’s specialists would have had much easier field goal attempts to make.
Convert the Big Play There is an old football adage that says tightly contested games like this one come down to just a few plays. That idea held true in the first meeting between Alabama and LSU, with an LSU interception and an untimely pen-
Throughout my years of covering and watching sports, only twice have I been completely dumbfounded at the outcome of a game. The first time came when the New York Giants beat the 18-0 New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl. The second time came on November 5, when Alabama lost to Louisiana State in overtime in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Both times I was completely confused because the better team did not win the game. For the Patriots, they had already beaten the Giants in the regular season. For the Crimson Tide, they out-played and outgained the Tigers in every statistical category. As I walked off the field in Bryant-Denny that night, I looked around at the remaining fans and the LSU players who were celebrating and thought, “There is no way this would happen if they played again.” So I’m here to tell Crimson Tide nation that the “Game of the Century” part two will be completely different from the original for a few reasons. With a month to prepare, Nick Saban will realize his team’s mistakes and correct them. First, Alabama will realize that they have the best athlete
on the field and arguably the best player in the country in Trent Richardson. They will let him run the ball 30-plus times and remember to give him the ball inside the 30-yard line instead of dropping back to pass. Alabama will realize that their defense is the best in the nation, and they have the players and coaches to adjust to whatever LSU throws at them. They will figure out how to properly defend the option, stuff the run and make Jordan Jefferson beat them with his arm. Alabama will realize that they can’t incur costly penalties and take themselves out of scoring position. They won’t have mental breakdowns with their false start penalties. They won’t commit ridiculous block in the back penalties 20 yards away from the play on interception returns. Alabama will realize that they are the most physical team in the country. 6-foot6-inch, 269-pound tight end Michael Williams won’t let a 5-foot-11-inch, 180-pound defensive back take the ball away from him again. Say what you want about the play call and the pass, Williams caught the ball and had it taken from him by a guy half his size. No way should that happen under any circumstances. Alabama will realize that
Prepare for more than one RB
Coming into the game, which was expected to be a defensive struggle, most of the focus was on which running back would be able to find a way through the other defense, Alabama’s Richardson or LSU’s Spencer Ware. Overshadowed in the media hype was running back Michael Ford, who almost doubled Richardson’s yards per carry in the meeting, getting 72 rushing yards on 11 carries compared to 89 yards on 23 carries for Richardson. “It seemed, at times, [that] the coaching staff went into mental freeze,” Finebaum said. While the Alabama defense succeeded in containing Ware, holding him to only 29 rushing yards, this opened a hole for Ford, a hole that Alabama can not allow if the Tide is going to bring home its 14th national championship.
alty being highly ranked as game-defining plays. With only 11 minutes left in regulation and the ball on the LSU 28-yard line, Alabama lined up with Marquis Maze at quarterback and had him trick the defense into overcommitting to the run, in hopes that he could throw over the defense to Michael Williams for the touchdown. Setting the controversy of the ensuing video replay aside, the play was ruled an interception after Williams and LSU defensive back Eric Reid fought for the ball in the air. Had Alabama made the catch, the ball would have been on the one-yard line, giving Alabama the best touchdown opportunity of the game. “We used Maze back there, and he made a good throw, and we had an opportunity to catch the ball, but we didn’t
‘Game of the Century part 2’ should offer different outcome By Marquavius Burnett Assistant Sports Editor @Marq_Burnett
finish the play,” head coach Nick Saban said after the game. The untimely penalty came on an interception return by Mark Barron. Barron intercepted a Jarrett Lee pass near the LSU 40-yard line, then returned it to the three-yard line, but was called back to the 35-yard line after a block in the back penalty. This missed big-play opportunity also cost the Tide a great shot at six. “[It was a] monumental play,” radio show host Paul Finebaum said. “Without the penalty, Alabama would have scored a touchdown, and I’m not sure the game would have been that close.” L i n e b a c ke r Co u r t n ey Upshaw talked about the missed opportunities after the game, when he said, “We knew it was going to be a tough game. We knew it was going to be a hard-fought game. It just came down to who executed on the chances that they had. They did.”
they can’t afford turnovers at any point in the game. LSU is the best team in the country at capitalizing on their opponent’s mistakes. It was a close game against Oregon, until Tyrann Mathieu ran down the Ducks punt returner, stripped him and returned it for a touchdown. The Tigers were down against Arkansas and Georgia until both teams had breakdowns in punt coverage, allowing Mathieu to return punts for scores in two consecutive weeks. It also happened against Alabama. The Tide were leading 6-3 late in the third quarter when AJ McCarron dropped back and threw a late, deep pass that was intercepted by Morris Claiborne. He returned it to Alabama’s 15-yard line, which led to the tying field goal. Finally, Saban will remember why he is the best coach in college football and on the verge of being mentioned with the all-time greats. He will have the players motivated and in the proper schemes throughout the game. If LSU comes out in the first half with new plays, Saban will make the proper adjustments and remind Alabama fans why they worship him The sequel will be different for a lot of reasons, but mainly because Alabama is clearly the better team.
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12 Friday, December 9, 2011
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
The Crimson White
Crimson Tide’s 2011
Season in review By Marquavius Burnett Assistant Sports Editor @Marq_Burnett
GAME 1 KENT STATE 7, ALABAMA 48
GAME 2 PENN STATE 11, ALABAMA 27 DeQuanMenzie celebrates a big play against Penn State.
CW | John Mihael Simpson
First road test for young QB
AJ McCarron calls a play against Kent State.
CW | Megan Hughes
QB battle & first game since the tornado There were a lot of questions surrounding the Alabama football team at the beginning of the 2011 season, like who will start at quarterback, how will the team perform in its first game after the tornado and could the team live up to the preseason hype? Those questions were answered early as the Crimson Tide came out and dominated head coach Nick Saban’s alma mater. Redshirt sophomore AJ McCarron and redshirt freshman Phillip Sims battled
to be the Tide’s leading man, but McCarron ultimately won the job. The Golden Flashes proved to be no match for the experienced Tide defense and all of the offensive skill players for the Tide. The only touchdown allowed came after an interception that was returned inside the five-yard line. The game was well in hand by halftime and Alabama was able to get some game experience for its younger players.
AJ McCarron won the quarterback duel against Phillip Sims and faced a tough test in his first career road start. The Nittany Lion defense pushed Alabama around early, holding them scoreless in their opening drive. Their offense was able to drive on Alabama, scoring on their opening possession. But on the next Alabama position, their young quarterback emerged from the shadows and threw a touchdown to give the Tide the lead. Alabama would never look back. The final score shows a 16-point win, but the game was never that close. Penn State scored their only touchdown in garbage time on the game’s final possession. The Tide earned a victory over the first of many top-25 opponents. Running back Trent Richardson began his Heisman campaign, rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns against a top-50 defense.
GAME 3 NORTH TEXAS 0, ALABAMA 41 Tide Dominates Mean Green The Mean Green showed up in Tuscaloosa without a prayer of winning against Alabama. The defense swarmed North Texas all game and didn’t allow a single point. Late in the game, Alabama’s second team defense was backed up deep in its own territory, but they were able to hold strong, earning Alabama its first shutout since the 2009 season.
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Trent Richardson pulls away from the North Texas defense.
CW | Drew Hoover
The Crimson White
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CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
GAME 4 ARKANSAS 14, ALABAMA 38
Friday, December 9, 2011
GAME 6 VANDERBILT 0, ALABAMA 34
Courtney Upshaw and Nico Johnson bring down Vanderbiltʼs Larry Smith.
CW | Drew Hoover
Homecoming beatdown
The first few minutes of Homecoming were a struggle for Alabama early on. First year head coach James Franklin had the Commodore’s playing inspired football as they rolled into Tuscaloosa. Vandy was able to get into scoring position, but could not convert their field goals. Vanderbilt’s lack of offense and field goal kicking gave the Tide another shutout.
Trent Richardson breaks a tackle from Arkansas safety Tramain Thomas.
AJ McCarron attempts a pass against Vanderbilt. McCarron had 4 touchdown passes against the Commodores.
CW | Drew Hoover
Tide shuts down Hogs In their first Southeastern Conference game of the season, the Tide came out on fire against the Hogs. Every aspect of the game was working for Alabama, but the best part about it was the Alabama defense’s ability to hold the high powered Arkansas offense to only two scoring drives.
GAME 5 FLORIDA 10, ALABAMA 38
CW | Drew Hoover
Live here.
Richardson dives into the endzone against the Gators.
CW | Mitchell Hughes
Courtney Upshaw dominates Besides the opening play touchdown, this was one of Alabama’s most complete offensive and defensive games. Florida came in as a top-10 opponent and was 4-0 at the time. That proved to be a mirage, as the Gators were dismantled by the Tide at home. Alabama heard all week about Florida’s speedy running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey and how tough it was going to be to stop them. The Tide proved to be up to the challenge,
holding the two to a combined total of 22 yards. The star of the night was linebacker Courtney Upshaw. Upshaw finished with three tackles for loss, a sack and an interception he returned for a touchdown. Upshaw’s sack injured Florida’s quarterback John Brantley late in the first half, and Brantley would have to miss a few games. Florida never recovered from the loss, losing four consecutive games and finishing 6-6 overall. Adrian Hubbard and Robert Lester bring down Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel.
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14 Friday, December 9, 2011
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
The Crimson White
GAME 8 TENNESSEE 6, ALABAMA 37
Crimson Tide’s 2011
Season in review GAME 7 OLE MISS 7, ALABAMA 52
CW | Katie Bennett CW | Megan Smith Jalston Fowler (45) celebrates a touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels.
Trent Richardson (3) steps into the endzone against Tennessee in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Richardson’s Heisman moment juke & run
McCarron grows up, Hightower dominates
Ole Miss was already having a bad season, and to make matters worse, they had to play Alabama. This game was more of a glorified scrimmage for the Tide than a tough SEC game. Trent Richardson continued to build his Heisman resumè with a spectacular run in which he burst through the line of scrimmage, juking a poor freshman defensive back out of his cleats twice en route to a 73-yard touchdown.
In the first half of this game, Alabama looked more like a high school team than a national power. They were unable to produce a touchdown against Tennessee. But the Tide came out of the locker room refocused to start the second half. They forced the Vols to go three-and-out on their first
possession, and then quarterback AJ McCarron led the Tide to a five-play, 75-yard drive, completing all four of his passes for 73 yards and scoring a touchdown on a two-yard scramble. The Tide scored 21 points in the third quarter to put Derek Dooley and the Vols away for good.
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The Crimson White
15
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Friday, December 9, 2011
GAME 9 LSU 9, ALABAMA 6
ʻGame of the Centuryʼ
CW | Drew Hoover Above: Trent Richardson (3) just misses a pass against LSU on Nov. 5. Right: Dre Kirkpatrick (21) is helped off the field by UA athletic trainers.
The hype surrounding this game was off the meter. No. 1 versus No. 2. Nick Saban versus Les Miles. There were a ton of storylines, and the local and national media outlets dissected the game from every possible angle. For the purist who loved defense, the game lived up to the hype. It
GAME 10 MISSISSIPPI STATE 7, ALABAMA 24
was a struggle throughout for both offenses, and the top ranked Tigers needed overtime to put the Tide away. Alabama fans, players and coaches all left the stadium feeling that the Tide had missed out on its chance to play for a national championship. The Tide needed help from other teams around the country to regain a spot as one of the top two teams in the country.
GAME 11 GEORGIA SOUTHERN 21, ALABAMA 45
Tide rebound after loss Coming off an emotional game, a lot of people in Tuscaloosa were questioning how Alabama would respond following the tough loss. Mississippi State’s defense smothered Alabama early, stuffing Trent Richardson and intercepting an AJ McCarron pass. But the Tide eventually found their rhythm and triumphed by 17.
CW | Mitchell Hughes The Crimson Tide lines up on the goaline against Georgia Southern.
Most points allowed by Alabama all year
Wide receiver Kevin Norwood attempts to break a tackle against Miss. State.
CW | Harish Rao
Not Arkansas, not Florida nor even LSU could score more than 14 points on the Tide. It took Georgia Southern’s tripleoption to put up 21 points on the smothering Alabama defense. Big plays on defense and special teams helped push the Tide past the Eagles.
GAME 12 AUBURN 14, ALABAMA 42 Quarterback AJ McCarron salutes the crowd after the Iron Bowl at Auburn.
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of the game as the Tide ripped off 18 to put the game away. Alabama came into the game with the This year’s Iron Bowl started very similar to last season’s. In fact, at one motto ‘Never Again’, referring to their point the score was 24-7, and Auburn letdown in the 2010 Iron Bowl loss in had the ball and scored to make it 24-14. Tuscaloosa. The defense and running back Trent Those would be the Tigers’ last points
Richardson helped seal the deal for the Tide. Alabama’s stifling defense held Auburn to less than 100 yards of total offense, while Richardson carried the load on offense rushing for 203 yards in what most called a ‘Heisman moment’ type of game.
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CW | John Michael Simpson
16 Friday, December 9, 2011
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
The Crimson White
The Crimson White
17
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Friday, December 9, 2011
It’s the SEC’s world – everyone else is just living in it Left: Florida wide receiver David Nelson (83) catches a pass past Oklahoma linebacker Keenan Clayton (22) for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the 2008 BCS National Championship game. Right: Auburn offensive linesman John Sullen (71) celebrates the Tigersʼ win over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2010 SEC Championship game.
By Marc Torrence @marctorrence Contributing Writer Stop if you’ve heard this one before. Team A’s defense is overrated because they play in the SEC, a conference with middle-of-theroad offenses. Team B’s high-flying offense is the best they’ll face all year and will torch them in the national championship game. That was the story preached by many in the national media before the past few national title games. In 2008 it was the Oklahoma Sooners, led by Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, which averaged 51.1 points per game that year. The Gators shut Bradford and the Sooners down, holding them to just 14 points in a Gator win. In 2009 the Texas Longhorns, led by Colt McCoy, averaged just under 40 points per game, but the Crimson Tide’s defense only allowed 21 en route to another SEC win. And of course everyone remembers last year’s Oregon Ducks. The apple of ESPN’s eye, the flashy, up-tempo Ducks averaged 47 points per game, but were held to just 19 against an Auburn defense that was considered average by SEC standards. And so when it came time to decide who would face LSU in the national title game, the answer was clear, and the powers that be gave the nation the best game they possibly could. “I know a lot of people were hoping for a different outcome,” said Rowan Kavner, sports editor at the Daily Reveille, Louisiana State’s student newspaper. “But you’re going to see the top two teams in the nation play on January 9.” Alabama and LSU have already played this season, and many were hoping that Nov. 5 would show who the better team was. But while LSU did win the game, it raised more questions than it answered. The two teams proved that they were the only ones who could beat the other.
SEC’S BCS CHAMPIONSHIP WIN STREAK • 2006: Florida: 41, Ohio State: 14
• 2007: LSU: 38, Ohio State: 24
• 2008: Florida: 24, Oklahoma: 14
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MCTcampus Oregon: 19 Ohio Stateʼs Ryan Pretorius (left) watches as LSU players Derry Beckwith, Tyson Jackson and Curtis Taylor celebrate a return on a blocked field goal attempt in the second quarter of the 2007 “I think the reason Bama BCS National Championship Game. was put into the championship game above [Oklahoma State] “It’s going to be a really close the Paul Finebaum radio show is just because of the SEC’s repgame. Alabama is probably the this week that Oklahoma State utation,” Terrell said. “It’s just toughest team LSU could have would be a 13-point underdog so established by now.” faced in the national champion- to LSU had the Cowboys been Had the BCS selected ship,” said Katherine Terrell, selected for the national cham- Oklahoma State over Alabama, deputy sports editor at the pionship game. Sheridan also the country would have seen Daily Reveille. “A lot of LSU said that Alabama would be an the same story. Another potent fans wanted to play Oklahoma 11-point favorite over Oklahoma offense. Another SEC defense. State instead of Alabama, actu- State. So it’s easy to see why But the BCS made the right LSU students and fans would choice, and the nation will see ally.” And for good reason. Odds rather face the Cowboys than the two best teams from the maker Danny Sheridan said on the Crimson Tide. dominant conference.
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The Crimson White
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CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Friday, December 9, 2011
Cade foster misses a 52-yard field goal in overtime during Alabamaʼs 9-6 loss to LSU. Foster missed three field goals in the loss and has not made a field goal since.
CW I Drew Hoover
Tide fosters hope in long-range kicker By Tony Tsoukalas Sports Editor crimsonwhitesports@gmail.com
I
still remember the horror stories. It feels as if I was there to watch as Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner let the last out of game six of the 1986 World Series go through his legs. I grew up hating him for something I wasn’t alive to witness. I hated him for what the game meant to my dad, for what it meant to the team, the city and how that play ruined an entire season. What I never realized is the pain he must have gone
through, the sinking feeling he experienced as he watched the fate of a season literally slip past him. The Red Sox had a chance to redeem themselves ultimately wound up short, falling to the Mets four games to three. However, what would have happened if the Sox had won? Or even better – if Buckner had been the hero of game seven? In sports there are heroes and scapegoats, winners and losers, but no one ever said you couldn’t be both. As Cade Foster jogged off the field after missing a 52-yard field goal in overtime – his
third miss of the game – you can’t help but wonder if he had the same sinking feeling as Buckner 25 years earlier. As LSU piled up around Drew Alleman after his game-winning field goal, Foster must have been thinking that could have been him. As far as comparisons go, both Buckner and Foster know the pain of being the scapegoat. Hours after the heartbreaking loss to LSU, the sophomore kicker took down his Facebook page. Who could blame him? He was now social pariah number one in the state of Alabama. A week later in Starkville,
Foster would again miss a field goal. During Alabama’s game against Georgia Southern, Foster was another 0-1. In fact, since watching his 52-yard attempt fall wide left, Foster hasn’t made a kick. The national championship game will be a shot at redemption for the Crimson Tide and, perhaps more importantly, a shot at redemption for Foster. Though the sophomore is a mere two-for-nine on the season, he remains the Tide’s best option in terms of long-range kickers. In a game that figures to be close, the Tide’s title chances could very well rest on
AROUND THE SEC Bowl Game Edition
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ESPN Dec. 30, 2011 | 6:40 P.M. ET NASHVILLE, TENN. Mississippi State (6-6, 2-6 SEC) Wake Forest (6-6, 5-3 ACC)
AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL
ABC Dec. 31, 2011 | 3:30 P.M. ET MEMPHIS, TENN. Cincinnati (9-3, 5-2 Big East) Vanderbilt (6-6, 2-6 SEC)
Head coach James Franklin has In this SEC/ACC match-up, the the Commodores bowl eligible Bulldogs end a disappointing in his first season. The Bearcat season on a high note against offense will look to be explosive and make a statement against the Demon Deacons. an SEC defense.
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
CHIK-FIL-A BOWL
ABC Jan. 2, 2012 | 1:00 P.M. ET TAMPA, FLA. Michigan St. (10-3, 7-1 Big Ten) Georgia (10-3, 7-1 SEC)
The Tigers came back to Earth this season after last year’s national title run. Virginia won two of three games against ranked opponents and will be looking to build on that success.
Both teams suffered tough loses in their conference championship game. Georgia and its highpowered offense will look to put up big numbers against the tough Michigan State defense.
TAXSLAYER.COM GATOR BOWL
ESPN Jan. 2, 2012 | 1:00 P.M. ET ORLANDO, FLA. Nebraska (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten) South Carolina (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
This could be one of the most exciting matchups of the bowl season. Nebraska likes to rely on the option and explosive plays. South Carolina redefined themselves after losing their starting running back and quarterback. Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez is fast, but if anyone can come up with a scheme to slow him down, it’s Steve Spurrier.
OUTBACK BOWL
ESPN Dec. 31, 2011 | 7:30 P.M. ET ATLANTA, GA. Virginia (8-4, 5-3 ACC) Auburn (7-5, 4-4 SEC)
ESPN2 Jan. 2, 2012 | 1:00 P.M. ET JACKSONVILLE, FLA. Ohio St (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) Florida (6-6, 3-5 SEC)
These two national powers had down years and often looked confused during their games. Ohio State has hired a new coach and Florida will be losing their offensive coordinator after this season, so both teams are dealing with big distractions.
AT&T COTTON BOWL FOX Jan. 6, 2012 | 8:00 P.M. ET ARLINGTON, TEXAS Kansas St (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) Arkansas (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
In the only matchup of Big 12 versus SEC, it will be a test of wills. Kansas State likes to play tough and physical while Arkansas likes to light up the scoreboard. Both teams will have long days trying to slow the other teams offensive attacks.
Notable Non-conference Bowls ESPN San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Dec. 21, 2011 | 8:00 P.M. ET SAN DIEGO, CALIF. TCU (10-2, 7-0 MWC) Louisiana Tech (8-4, 6-1 WAC) ESPN MAACO BOWL LAS VEGAS Dec. 22, 2011 | 8:00 P.M. ET LAS VEGAS, NEV. Arizona St (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12) Boise St (11-1, 6-1 MWC) ESPN SHERATON HAWAII BOWL Dec. 24, 2011 | 8:00 P.M. ET HONOLULU, HAWAII. Nevada (7-5, 5-2 WAC) So Miss (11-2, 6-2 C-USA) ESPN LITTLE CAESARS BOWL Dec. 27, 2011 | 4:30 P.M. ET DETROIT, MICH. W. Michigan (7-5, 5-3 MAC) Purdue (6-6, 4-4 Big Ten) ESPN BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION HOLIDAY BOWL Dec. 28, 2011 | 8:00 P.M. ET SAN DIEGO, CALIF. California (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12) Texas (7-5, 4-5 Big 12)
ESPN CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL Dec. 29, 2011 | 5:30 P.M. ET ORLANDO, FLA. Florida St (8-4, 5-3 ACC) Notre Dame (8-4) ESPN VALERO ALAMO BOWL Dec. 29, 2011 | 9:00 P.M. ET SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. Washington (7-5, 5-4 Pac-12) Baylor (9-3, 6-3 Big 12) ESPN BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES BOWL Dec. 30, 2011 | 12:00 P.M. ET DALLAS, TEXAS. BYU (9-3) Tulsa (8-4, 7-1 C-USA) ESPN NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL Dec. 30, 2011 | 3:20 P.M. ET BRONX, N.Y. Rutgers (8-4, 4-3 Big East) Iowa St (6-6, 3-6 Big 12) ESPN INSIGHT BOWL Dec. 30, 2011 | 10:00 P.M. ET TEMPE, ARIZ. Iowa (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten) Oklahoma (9-3, 6-3 Big 12)
ESPN MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL OF TEXAS Dec. 31, 2011 | 12:00 P.M. ET HOUSTON, TEXAS. Texas A&M (6-6, 4-5 Big 12) Northwestern (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) ESPN KRAFT FIGHT HUNGER BOWL Dec. 31, 2011 | 3:30 P.M. ET SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. Illinois (6-6, 2-6 Big Ten) UCLA (6-7, 5-4 Pac-12) ESPNU TICKETCITY BOWL Jan. 2, 2012 | 12:00 P.M. ET DALLAS, TEXAS. Houston (12-1, 8-0 C-USA) Penn State (9-3, 6-2 Big Ten) ESPN ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY VIZIO Jan. 2, 2012 | 5:00 P.M. ET PASADENA, CALIF. Wisconsin (11-2, 6-2 Big Ten) Oregon (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12) ESPN TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL Jan. 2, 2012 | 8:30 P.M. ET GLENDALE, ARIZ. Stanford (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12) Oklahoma St (11-1, 8-1 Big 12)
ESPN ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL Jan. 3, 2012 | 8:30 P.M. ET NEW ORLEANS, LA. Michigan (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) Virginia Tech (11-2, 7-1 ACC) ESPN DISCOVER ORANGE BOWL Jan. 4, 2012 | 8:30 P.M. ET MIAMI, FLA. West Virginia (9-3, 5-2 Big East) Clemson (10-3, 6-2 ACC) ESPN BBVA COMPASS BOWL Jan. 7, 2012 | 1:00 P.M. ET BIRMINGHAM, ALA. SMU (7-5, 5-3 C-USA) Pittsburgh (6-6, 4-3 Big East) ESPN GODADDY.com BOWL Jan. 8, 2012 | 9:00 P.M. ET MOBILE, ALA. Arkansas St (10-2, 8-0 Sun Belt) N. Illinois (10-3, 7-1 MAC) ESPN ALLSTATE BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Jan. 9, 2012 | 8:30 P.M. ET NEW ORLEANS, LA. Alabama (11-1, 7-1 SEC) LSU (13-0, 8-0 SEC)
the sturdy leg of the Southlake, Tex., native. For many Crimson Tide fans, this scenario seems like a nightmare plot. However, Foster’s teammates remain faithful in his abilities with the game on the line. “It’s a team game, and if we lost, it’s a team loss,” safety Robert Lester said. “No one player lost the game. We want to keep him up, he plays a big role on this team.” And while Foster might not have much support outside of his teammates, he has one more supporter here. I have never had the opportunity to
talk to Cade, and I admit I don’t know much about him. But, I do know these things. He has never given anything but his all, he has never given up, and as a member of a team that has been through so much, he is already a winner. However, it doesn’t matter what the student body thinks, what I think or even what his teammates think. The only confidence Foster needs in the national championship game is his own. That, combined with his powerful leg, is the only thing that matters as Foster lines up for another kick at redemption.
GAMEDAY PICK ‘EM Top 10 Season Leaders
1
2
Coleman Richards
Cole Kelley
219/271
80.07%
217/271
80.81%
3
4
Marcus Bishop
John McWilliams
215/271
214/271
79.34%
78.97%
5
6
Haley Hammond
Charley Irons
213/271
211/271
78.60%
77.86%
7
7
David Chesnutt
Emily Howitz
210/271
210/271
77.49%
77.49%
7
10
Carly Yeredcic
Joe Hendricks
210/271
208/271
77.49%
76.75%
GAMEDAY Staff & 2010 Winner Tony Tsoukalas
Marquavius Burnett
Gameday Editor
Assistant Gameday Editor
170/271
143/271
62.73%
52.77% John McWilliams 2010 Pick ‘Em Winner 214/271
78.97%
20 Friday, December 9, 2011
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
The Crimson White
14-0
CW | Evan Szczepanski