Tide Tidbits - December 24, 2008

Under Saban, Tide rides high
Four straight losses were bad enough for Alabama, and one humbling defeat to Louisiana-Monroe was even worse. Nick Saban could have lost his team right there. Instead, he might well have claimed it. "Coach came in and talked to us and was like, 'We've got an opportunity to change things with this bowl game,"' Crimson Tide safety Rashad Johnson said.

Tide's spoils include longer break
Alabama linebacker Cory Reamer doesn't want to complain about a Christmas present. "You have to enjoy anything you're given," Reamer said, "but traveling on Christmas Day to a bowl game was probably the worst Christmas present I've gotten." When Crimson Tide players broke for the holidays after one final on-site Sugar Bowl practice Tuesday morning, each of them was aware they won't have to report back to the team in New Orleans until Dec. 27. That leaves three full days to enjoy family and friends, a fact that thrills pretty much everyone associated with the program.

Alabama's big offensive line faces test against Utah's tiny defensive line
Nick Saban's eyes have deceived him. When the Alabama coach watches film and focuses on Utah's defensive line, he reaches one conclusion. "They don't look so small to me," he said. They are. In the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2, the Crimson Tide's massive offensive line faces a Utes front four that is smaller than that of any other UA opponent. By far. "They're a little undersized compared to (Southeastern Conference) lines," said Alabama right tackle Drew Davis, a 6-foot-7, 300-pounder. "What they lack (they make up for by being) very quick."

Next stop:New Orleans
The fourth-ranked University of Alabama football team completed its final on-campus practice Tuesday before taking a holiday break prior to the Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide will re-gather in New Orleans two days after Christmas to resume preparations for the Jan. 2 game against seventh-ranked Utah. For these few days off for the holiday after practicing seven times in the last six days, Alabama players are under orders not to spend too much time thinking about the game.

Roll Tide!