Tide Tidbits - October 11, 2008

10 reasons Tide is one step from top spot
This version of First & 10 doesn't have conflict and resolution to it the way a normal game week might. Since Alabama is idle this weekend, we'll list the top 10 reasons why the surprising Tide is 6-0 and ranked second:

Tide focuses on positive thinking
Alabama strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran has a constant refrain as he walks among the players during pre-practice stretch each day: "Get your mind right," he bellows, so often that you wonder if the players even hear it anymore. Linebacker Cory Reamer said the 2008 edition of the Crimson Tide bought into Saban's philosophy not long after the shoulder pads were put on the shelves following an Independence Bowl win over Colorado last December. The painful memory of an 0-4 slide in November convinced the players the coaching staff knew it was mind over matter.

Tide first teamers battle in practice
Second-ranked Alabama didn't take it easy during the third and last of its bye-week practices, working first-team offense against first-team defense Thursday afternoon. "I'm really pleased with the effort and the attitude that we had in these three days of practice," Saban said. "I think we've worked a lot fundamentally on things that we can improve on."

McClain enjoying breakout season
When he saw Glen Coffee burst through the hole and head downfield for an 87-yard touchdown at Arkansas last month, no one may have been happier for the University of Alabama running back than one of his former teammates. “I hit the ceiling,” Le’Ron McClain said. “It was so crazy.” McClain was watching the game on television in his Baltimore-area living room, the day before the Ravens defeated Cleveland and the former Crimson Tide fullback recorded the first two rushing touchdowns of his pro career.

Roll Tide!