Tag: Alabama

Najee Harris compares Steelers-Ravens rivalry to Alabama-LSU

Najee Harris compares the Steelers-Ravens rivalry to his Alabama days battling Joe Burrow’s LSU, highlighting the physicality of Week 11.

Najee Harris, currently outperforming expectations during his contract year, is the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ impressive rushing attack in 2024, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, on 157 rushing attempts for 645 yards through nine games.

During Thursday’s media availability, Harris explained that he expects physicality to play a pivotal role in the Week 11 matchup against the Steelers’ AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens.

When asked what the rivalry between the Steelers and Ravens means to him, Harris took trip down memory lane, explaining that it reminds him of his college days at Alabama, going head-to-head with the Joe Burrow-led LSU.

The Steelers’ RB has an opportunity to showcase his team’s desire to further solidify their place in the AFC North divisional title race, and Harris’ physical, downhill running style could be exactly what the team needs to walk away victorious in Week 11.

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This weekend culminates Ultimate Hate Week for Louisiana sports fans

It’s the Ultimate Hate Week is upon us. Saints vs. Falcons and LSU vs. Alabama on back to back nights in New Orleans and Baton Rouge

It’s the Ultimate Hate Week for the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans Saints face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. That’s always big for Saints fans, and moving from Dennis Allen to Darren Rizzi has reinvigorated the fan base.

The weekend ends in New Orleans, but it begins just an hour away in Baton Rouge. LSU takes on Alabama in Death Valley on Saturday night. Each event takes over the city individually, but when you pair both of them together it truly is a state wide affair.

It’s not the first time the biggest teams in the state have taken on their biggest rivals in the same weekend. LSU versus Alabama happens in the first two weeks of November every year except in 2020.

That was a part of three year stretch between 2019-2021 where these game were played on the same weekend. This Saturday and Sunday will be the first time since 2021 Louisiana will be able to partake in Ultimate Hate Week.

This is the first time this century Saints versus Falcons and LSU versus Alabama have happened in the same weekend and both games will be played in Louisiana. Let’s make it count.

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Michigan State football commit gets Alabama offer

A key MSU commit has just received an Alabama offer

Michigan State football landed a huge commitment from Jace Clarizio back in the spring, getting the pledge from the East Lansing High School running back product.

Clarizio, a 4-star prospect on ESPN, has made it known that he likes the prospects of being a hometown hero, playing where he grew up, in East Lansing.

The Spartans keeping the hometown product just got a bit more challenging, though. Alabama has extended an offer to Clarizio, and surely, it is an opportunity he is going to consider.

https://x.com/jace_clarizio/status/1854158523963175289

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Brian Kelly and Kalen DeBoer share key coaching trait

Brian Kelly and Kalen DeBoer will square off on Saturday night, but they followed a similar path to get where they are now.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and [autotag]Kalen DeBoer[/autotag] are two of the sport’s highest-paid coaches at two premier programs, but it wasn’t always this way.

Kelly and DeBoer will square off on Saturday night when LSU meets Alabama, but they once took a similar path to get where they are now — both getting their head coaching starts at the D-II level.

That’s not always something you see in modern college football. Kirby Smart began as an administrative assistant at Georgia and worked his way up through the ranks. He wasn’t a head coach until he took over Georgia in 2015.

Dan Lanning’s path was similar, climbing the assistant world before he got the chance to lead Oregon in 2022.

Guys like Ryan Day and Dabo Swinney are in the same boat. The big-time jobs they have now were their first head coaching gigs.

Kelly and DeBoer were both head coaches long before they caught their big break. Kelly led Grand Valley State from 1991-2003. DeBoer was the Sioux Falls head coach from 2005-09.

Both coaches got experience building a winning program at the lower level before getting the chance to do it on the biggest stage. That’s not necessarily better. Things have worked out well for Smart, Lanning, Day, Swinney, and the other coaches of that nature. But there’s value in getting that initial head coaching experience.

Kelly’s rise was slower than DeBoer’s. After his time at GVSU, Kelly was the head coach at Central Michigan and Cincinnati before taking over a major program at Notre Dame. By the time Kelly got the Fighting Irish job, he had 19 years of head coaching experience under his belt.

DeBoer didn’t bid his time in the same way. Just a few years ago, he was the head coach at Fresno State. But DeBoer’s big game track record won him the job at Alabama.

Brian Kelly on what he views as the strengths of this Alabama team

Brian Kelly said Alabama has no apparent weaknesses. Here’s what else the LSU coach said about facing the Crimson Tide.

LSU is set to host Alabama on Saturday night in another tough conference challenge.

LSU’s the underdog for the third time this year. The Tigers split the first two games — upsetting Ole Miss at home but losing to Texas A&M on the road. If LSU wants to keep its playoff hopes alive, another upset win is needed on Saturday.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly spoke to the media on Monday and outlined what he saw as the difficulties that came with facing this Alabama team.

“Probably as balanced of a football team that we’re gonna play this year,” Kelly said.

By balance, Kelly meant the talent level LSU will see across the board.

“Sometimes when we look at teams, we look at potential weaknesses at a particular position. I don’t see any with this team,” Kelly said.

Kelly said stopping the quarterback will be paramount for LSU, calling Alabama QB Jalen Milroe “outstanding.”

“First down is an important down as well,” Kelly said, “They’re one of the best third down and short conversion teams in the country. We need to get them behind the chains.”

That was probably a focus for LSU throughout the bye week after the Tigers struggled to contain the legs of Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed.

As for Alabama’s defense, Kelly highlighted DB Malachi Moore and LB Deontae Lawson.

“I think Malachi Moore is one of the most productive safeties in the country. Lawson is a handful, probably one of the most experienced linebackers in the country,” Kelly said.

“It’s a team that has no apparent weaknesses in my eyes.”

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Notre Dame, Texas reportedly agree to two games starting in 2028

Mark your calendars!

Notre Dame and Texas are two of the biggest brands in college football. They don’t play each other very much though, and that’s a shame. While it’s true that the opportunities to play each other are limited because of other obligations, it doesn’t make the reality any easier to take.

However, Bobby Burton of On Texas Football is reporting that the Irish and Longhorns have agreed to a two-game series in 2028 and 2029. While the report doesn’t say so, this series most definitely will be a home-and-home.

The Irish lead the all-time series with a 9-3 record. They split a home-and-home with the Longhorns in their two most recent meetings in 2015 and 2016. Before that, the Irish swept a home-and-home in 1995 and 1996.

2029 in particular will have a difficult schedule for the Irish as they also are scheduled to begin a home-and-home with Alabama that season. They obviously feel they’re up to the challenge though, so we’ll see how much it pays off.

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Former Alabama coach Nick Saban is ‘concerned’ for Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa’s college coach is worried about and praying for the quarterback.

Tua Tagovailoa will make his return to the starting lineup Sunday, and many will be watching the Miami Dolphins quarterback with bated breath.

After another scary concussion for a player who already considered retirement because of his history of head injuries, there are plenty who are understandably worried that Tagovailoa will take another damaging hit. That includes former Alabama coach Nick Saban, who spent three years coaching Tagovailoa.

“I’m concerned. I want Tua to be safe and healthy and not have a football career that’s going to impact him down the road,” Saban said Friday on The Pat McAfee Show. “This is a medical decision, this not an organizational decision. People will look at him and say ‘Why are they letting him play?’ I think the doctors make that decision and it’s a medical decision.

“For him, it becomes personal then. ‘I really want to play. I’m a competitor. I want to play.’ So he has to make a decision — is the risk-reward from a medical point worth it to you? I think all those things are in play now. If he wants to play — and I’ve talked to him, I know he wants to play, I know what kind of competitor he is — then I’m happy for him that he’s having the opportunity to play. But I also pray for him that he doesn’t have any issues.”

Tagovailoa’s concerning injury history dates back to his days at Alabama where he suffered a concussion, as well as a broken hip and nose, from a hit in 2019. But it was the 2022 season when things boiled over with Tagovailoa suffering two diagnosed concussions — and possibly a third that went undiagnosed — that raised doubts about the passer’s future.

In his first press conference since suffering a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa dismissed the idea of walking away from football.

“This is what I love to do. This is what makes me happy, and I’m gonna do it. That’s it,” Tagovailoa said.

Tagovailoa is set to return to the starting lineup Sunday in a home game against the Arizona Cardinals.

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Josh Heupel named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week

Tenenssee’s Josh Heupel named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week after defeating Alabama.

Fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel earned coaching honors after the Vols’, 24-17, win versus Alabama in Week 8.

Heupel was named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week on Tuesday.

“Coach Heupel and his Volunteers made a statement on Saturday,” Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation, said. “The Volunteers have seen a resurgence since he took over in 2021, and they look poised to have another big season under his leadership.”

Heupel has also been named to the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List.

The Vols have wins over Chattanooga, North Carolina State, Kent State, Oklahoma, Florida and Alabama this season. Tennessee suffered its only loss at Arkansas on Oct. 5.

Tennessee has its second and final open date on Saturday in Week 9. The Vols will return to action against Kentucky on Nov. 2 at Neyland Stadium.

PHOTOS: Tennessee fans storm the field after beating Alabama

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel discusses defeating Florida, Alabama in back-to-back weeks

Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel discusses defeating Florida and Alabama in back-to-back weeks.

Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) hosted its two biggest rivals in Florida and Alabama the last two weeks at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee defeated the Gators, 23-17 in overtime, during Week 7 and was victorious, 24-17, in Week 8 versus the Crimson Tide.

Fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is now 4-4 against Florida and Alabama as the Vols’ head coach since 2021. He discussed joy of having defeated two of Tennessee’s biggest rivals this season.

“Joy and being on the right side of the scoreboard each Saturday, those are two big games,” Heupel said. “Historically, our fan base, what it means to them, you know what I mean?

“To our players, it’s big games because it’s league games, and understand what it means and the things that you’re trying to go accomplish, and what you have been working for since January. You know, the last two weeks on that field, it’s just really special because of what it took to find a way to be on the right side of the scoreboard. All the ups and downs, just continuing to compete, and I’m proud of the guys for that.”

Brianna Paciorka/USA TODAY Network

Tennessee fined for violation of access to competition area policy

Following the Vols’ win over Alabama, Tennessee is fined for violation of access to competition area policy.

Tennessee fans stormed Shields-Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium on Saturday after the Vols defeated Alabama, 24-17.

The Vols have defeated Alabama in back-to-back games at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee was also victorious, 52-49, over the Crimson Tide on Oct. 15, 2022.

Both contests in 2022 and 2024 resulted in Tennessee fans storming the field. The Southeastern Conference announced Tennessee has been fined $100,000 for violation of access to competition area policy.

Tennessee also incurred a $100,000 fine after the 2022 Alabama football game. At the time, it was the Vols’ second offense under the league’s then-access to competition area policy. Under the previous policy, Tennessee was first fined following a basketball game against Florida in 2006.

The SEC released the following statement following fans storming the field after Saturday’s contest.

The Southeastern Conference announced today that the University of Tennessee will be fined for violation of the league’s access to competition area policy due to fans entering the field following its football game vs. the University of Alabama on October 19.

Tennessee will incur a fine of $100,000 for a first offense under the league’s current access to competition area policy that was revised at the SEC Spring Meetings in 2023.

For Conference contests, fines are paid to the opposing institution.

The policy states that “institutions shall limit access to competition areas to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed or authorized individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest may spectators enter the competition area.”

Financial penalties are imposed for violations in all sports sponsored by the Conference. Institutional penalties range from $100,000 for a first offense, $250,000 for a second offense and $500,000 for a third and subsequent offenses.

The policy was originally adopted by a vote of Conference members in 2004 and financial penalties were increased by action taken by the membership in 2015 and again in 2023.

PHOTOS: Tennessee fans storm field after beating Alabama football

Randy Sartin-Imagn Images