Tide Tidbits - September 6, 2008

No time for Alabama to step back
To some, this could be the worst time to play Alabama. The Crimson Tide displayed dominating physical toughness and 60-minute tenacity while routing then-No. 9 Clemson in last week’s season-opening 34-10 victory. To others, however, it may be the best time to play Alabama.

Alabama basks; Tulane uprooted
Alabama spent the week basking in the glory of a surprising opening day romp, making the cover of Sports Illustrated and becoming one of college football’s teams of the moment. Tulane labored quietly a few hundred miles from home, living out of a hotel and practicing on a strange field because of Hurricane Gustav. After a week of vastly disparate distractions, the two teams meet Saturday night for the first time since 1994. Tulane has been staying in a Birmingham hotel for the past week.

Alabama seeks special effort on special teams
Amid the hoopla of Alabama's season-opening win, lost in the rise in the polls and national adulation, was one warning signal. It didn't change the outcome of the Crimson Tide's 34-10 throttling of Clemson, nor did it ruin the elation of the weekend. But a special teams gaffe that led to a touchdown did give coach Nick Saban an easy way to grab his team's attention. It was an area of focus for No. 13 Alabama in the preparation for today's 6 p.m. game against Tulane.


Roll Tide!