Tide Tidbits - October 19, 2008

Cody's diagnosis: Out 2 weeks
The picture painted on the Alabama sideline was one of agony. Nose guard/cult hero Terrence Cody was writhing in pain after getting his right knee hit from behind in a pile of people in the third quarter. A medical cart soon carried him to the locker room. The word fromTide coach Nick Saban was that Cody would likely miss a game or two but surgery didn't appear necessary. Considering Cody's dominance in the middle of the defense, it was tear-down-the-goalpost good news for Alabama.

Don't make Saban angry
Penalty after TD brings out mean side of Tide coach. "We've got to quit doing stupid stuff," Saban said. "When you get a penalty for scoring a touchdown, please act like you've been there and act like you've got enough maturity to say, 'I'm a good player. I made a good play. Everybody knows it. I don't need to do all this (expletive) to get a 15-yard penalty.'

Big plays the difference for Tide
Ole Miss ran the Wildcat Formation out of multiple looks. The Rebels faked a field goal to account for its first touchdown. Yet, it was still big play Bama that helped the Tide prevail 24-20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday and remain a perfect 7-0. Second-ranked Alabama once again rolled out to a quick first-half start behind a handful of thrilling offensive plays. The first-half fireworks were just enough to hold off the Rebels in the second half. "In the second quarter we made some big plays, a couple of interceptions, a couple of big plays offensively," said Alabama coach Nick Saban, who's off to a 7-0 start for the first time in his career. "That's a thing (big plays) we are going to have to do more of."

Two key starters injured during Vols' first SEC victory
Alabama wasn't the only team dealing with a costly injury Saturday. Next week's opponent Tennessee lost two key offensive starters during a 34-3 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday night. Gerald Jones, the Vols' leading receiver entering Saturday, and starting right guard Anthony Parker each suffered high ankle sprains, according to UT coach Phillip Fulmer. "We'll see how they are tomorrow," Fulmer said.

Roll Tide!