Tide Tidbits - November 24, 2008

Saban: Streak not a factor in game prep
There will certainly be a time today at Alabama's weekly news conference when head coach Nick Saban will be asked about Auburn's six-game winning streak over the Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl. And he'll give the same answer he gave last week or a month ago about some other team or two years ago about the past tradition at Alabama: The only thing that matters is the game coming up. That's why it's not surprising he hasn't heard any of the nine seniors mention the streak. "They don't ever speak of that," Saban said last week. "I've been asked that twice now. And if someone in this room can prove to me that what happened in the last six years is going to have any effect on this game, then we'll talk about it. Otherwise, I think it's pointless.

'Bama, Auburn offenses have taken different paths
Auburn went for the splashy hire and brought in an offensive coordinator to make a major overhaul. Alabama opted for a less attention-getting candidate to run a more conventional system. Guess which choice proved disastrous and which one is seeming downright brilliant heading into the regular-season finale? Hired from Fresno State, Jim McElwain has helped mold the top-ranked Crimson Tide's offense into a powerful, efficient force built on the running game, an experienced quarterback and a dominant offensive line.

Smith anchors strong Alabama offensive front
It’s easy to take Andre Smith for granted. The 6-4, 340-pound junior left tackle has anchored Alabama’s offensive line for the past three years. His consistency and his excellence are such a given that it’s news when he makes a mistake — and expected when he dominates an opponent. For instance, he gave up a sack against Kentucky on a technique error and took responsibility for it the next week. “It was something I shouldn’t have done,” he said. “Coach (Joe) Pendry’s been telling us from day one, saying you’re going to be beat on it. It actually showed.”

Tide picks up 17th commitment
Alabama picked up its 17th commitment of the recruiting season re­cently when defensive end Chris Bonds con­firmed he had chosen to play college football at Alabama. Bonds finally chose Alabama over Notre Dame after building a relationship with head coach Nick Saban and assistant Burton Burns. "We became closer and closer and they were with me through thick and thin," Bonds told scout.com. "That meant a lot." He also considered offers from Michigan , Tennessee and South Carolina.

Alabama knows what's at stake, while top-tier bowls jockey for the Tide
Nick Saban isn't a coach who feels the need to explain to his Alabama players what is at stake in this year's Iron Bowl. "They're very much aware of what's out there," Saban said. "We try to get our guys focused on the here and now and what they can do right now to affect that." The top-ranked Crimson Tide (11-0, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) heads into Saturday's game against in-state rival Auburn (5-6, 2-5) with every possible goal still within reach.

Alabama's Greenwood learned about the rivalry early
Bobby Greenwood transferred into Prattville High when he was 14 years old, and he learned about the biggest rivalry in his new state on his first day. He was faced with a question from a classmate: Alabama or Auburn? "I had to pick one, and I said, `Alabama,'" Greenwood recalled. "I liked the colors better." That was eight years ago, and Greenwood likes more than the colors now. A starting defensive end for the top-ranked Crimson Tide, the senior heads into his final Iron Bowl on Saturday looking to snap a six-game losing streak after having traveled a long way.

Roll Tide!