Tide Tidbits - December 28, 2008

10 reasons for Tide's turnaround in 2008
Alabama fans are thankful their team emerged from its decade-long dormant stage and captured the attention of the nation with an outstanding season that included five weeks at No. 1 and the Southeastern Conference West Division title. Here, then, are the 10 things that helped the Crimson Tide roll to a 12-1 season and a berth in the Sugar Bowl against Utah:

SUGAR BOWL: Saban tells fans to respect Utah
The fourth-ranked Crimson Tide has gone over the game plan of trying to contain quarterback Brian Johnson and the spread formation and looked at the challenges presented by a constantly shifting defense that relies on speed to get opposing ballcarriers on the ground quickly. "This is a lot better team than everybody thinks," he said. "I want everybody to know that's traveling and supporting us, you need to respect this team ... because this is a very, very good team. This is as good a team as we've played all year long, in terms of what they do. And I can promise you that. So if you think any different, you're thinking wrong."

Tide's ride tops state sports stories
It was a steamy August afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and Antoine Caldwell was feeling pretty good about Alabama's chances of contending for a Southeastern Conference title. "I feel like this is the first year that I can legitimately say that we can compete for the SEC West," the Crimson Tide center said after a preseason practice. "Talentwise, we've got everything. We've got the pieces to the puzzle." Turns out Caldwell was aiming low. Alabama's stunning return to the top of the rankings and the national title scene was named the state's biggest sports story of 2008 by The Associated Press.

Big trouble can find you in Big Easy
Alabama coach Nick Saban said he trusts his players to make good decisions leading up to next week's Sugar Bowl. But as a general rule, Saban also trusts in a curfew. When Crimson Tide players arrive for today's first on-site bowl practice, they'll begin receiving free time to enjoy The Big Easy on their own. The team's peer group will meet to decide on a certain time to be back at the team hotel, with the understanding that violations could lead to repercussions. "If we have issues, we will penalize the people that are involved in it," Saban said.

Tide players look to avoid distractions in New Orleans
It's an easy-going atmos­phere, a place where musicians can find easy work or where French Quarter revelers can make easy purchases and con­sumption of alcohol. It's also an easy place to get into trouble. While New Orleans grabbles with its own problems in the wake of Hurricane Katrina -- a contingent of Louisiana Nation­al Guardsmen remain on patrol through March 1 to combat a murder rate that is 10 times the national average -- Alabama head coach Nick Saban will have to deal with the constant distractions posed by The Big Easy as he prepares the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide for its Sugar Bowl game with seventh-ranked Utah on Friday.

Roll Tide!