Tide Tidbits - September 12, 2008

Tide’s Arenas a major threat on every punt
Javier Arenas was going the wrong way. He fielded the punt, spun away from a defender, reversed field and eventually made his way toward the end zone for an 87-yard return and yet another big play for No. 11 Alabama against Tulane. "When he popped out the back door, I’m thinking, ‘What is he doing?’ "Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said. "Two seconds later you’re saying, ‘Hee may go all the way.’"

Alabama alum movin’ on up to press box
For those who don’t know, there may not be anything better than the atmosphere inside Bryant-Denny Stadium minutes before kickoff. The red and white shakers, “Sweet Home Alabama” booming over the sound system as more than 90,000 fans yell “Roll Tide Roll’ in between verses. The anticipation builds as minutes pass until a bass drum cadence signals ball on tee, and I saw everything from my perch high above the field.

Hilltoppers' offense a challenge to Tide
The University of Alabama defense will be getting its first look of 2008 at the spread offense on Saturday when Western Kentucky comes to Bryant-Denny Stadium for a 6 p.m. contest against the Crimson Tide. Don't expect the Tide to be unprepared for the attack, however. 'We used to start working on empty sets in the seventh or eighth practice,' Saban said at his Thursday press conference. 'Now, you get it the first day. I'm asking, ‘When are we supposed to teach them how to play against two backs?'' In fact, Saban said one reason the Tide defense struggled against Tulane's two-back sets last week was that it's rare to face a team in that formation, which used to dominate college football.

Roll Tide!