Tide Tidbits - December 2, 2008

Dislike for Florida instilled early in some Tide players
From left tackle Andre Smith to defensive end Bobby Greenwood to cornerback Javier Arenas, Alabama is full of players who say they grew up as fans of Florida State's football program. That means they didn't like Florida very much. "I'm not just saying this because I'm about to compete against them — I never liked Florida," said Arenas, a native of Tampa. "I was always a Florida State guy. Just like you ask one of these kids around here, they dislike Auburn. They grew up with that. That's how I was growing up."

Tide relishes challenge of being the underdog against Florida
Top-ranked Alabama remained unbeaten after a 36-point win over Auburn Saturday. The Tide (12-0) sits atop the AP poll and the all-important BCS standings. In fact, Alabama is the only undefeated team remaining that could win the national title. But to hear the experts explain it, teams like Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and Southern California are pure breds in the Westminster Dog Show. Alabama is the three-legged mutt.

Alabama football notebook
There are certainly contrasting styles between Urban Meyer and Nick Saban, but the two head coaches in the SEC Championship Game share a close friend in their profession. Alabama’s Nick Saban was Bill Belichick’s defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns in 1991-94. The two remained good friends even when they coached in the same division when Saban led the Miami Dolphins against Belichick’s New England Patriots in 2005-06. Florida’s Urban Meyer and his staff spent time shadowing Belichick and his staff in New England. Belichick has spoken to Florida and Alabama at the request of both coaches.

No. 1 'Bama underdog in Dome again
Alabama has pushed aside all comers on its way to a perfect regular season, climbed to the top of the rankings and stuck around for quite awhile. Now, it's back to Square One for team No. 1: As an underdog in the Georgia Dome. No. 2 Florida is a 10-point favorite to topple the top-ranked Crimson Tide Saturday in the Southeastern Conference championship game in Atlanta, where 'Bama opened the season as an underdog to Clemson. "I ain't worried about that at all," Tide cornerback Javier Arenas said. "It's been like that the whole season, starting with Clemson and going to Georgia. You're accustomed to it now."

Second year a charm for 2 coaches
Three seasons ago in 2005, a 9-3 team whose first-year head coach shed tears after a close loss won the BCS national championship the next year. Last season, a 7-6 football team with a new head coach lost to Louisiana-Monroe but is unbeaten at 12-0 this season, ranked No.1 and is one win away from playing for the BCS national championship. Those coaches with the second-year magic?

Alabama believes changes occurred during Independence Bowl practices
The change began gradually. Coach Nick Saban can't put his finger on the one morning when he arrived at an offseason workout and realized a 6-6 regular season could become 12-0. Alabama players have different guesses as to when the attitude and ethic of the team changed. "It's not something that's a one-time thing," Saban said. "Character, attitude, and team chemistry are not one-time occurrences."



Roll Tide!