Tide Tidbits - December 30, 2008

Even without Smith, Utah not taking Alabama lightly
Kyle Whittingham wanted to see the University of Alabama's Outland Trophy winner, Andre Smith, on the field in Friday night's Sugar Bowl. Instead, Utah will now be preparing to play an Alabama team without Smith, who will miss the game after being suspended. 'It was slated to be an intriguing matchup between (Smith) and Paul Kruger,' Whittingham told The Tuscaloosa News after Utah's Monday practice at Tulane upon learning of Smith's suspension. 'We think a lot of our defensive end and he's a pretty good player as well, so that was going to be one of the battles within the battle that I was looking forward to seeing.'

Alabama's Kevin Steele emerges as top candidate for Clemson job
Alabama defensive head coach Kevin Steele is at the front of the line to become the next defensive coordinator at Clemson in a deal that could be finalized in the next week. Interest has been expressed by both parties, multiple sources told the Press-Register, and Clemson reportedly can offer a salary competitive with or exceeding the $360,000 that Steele made with the Crimson Tide this season.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT: ‘Bama’s Smith suspended for Sugar Bowl
Alabama All-America left tackle Andre Smith has been suspended from the Sugar Bowl for violating team rules, possibly signaling an end to the Outland Trophy winner’s college career. “The University of Alabama, the team and the football program are more important than any individual player,” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said in a statement Monday. “Every one on our team depends on each other to be responsible, to make good choices and decisions relative to their actions.” Saban did not specify Smith’s violation leading up to Friday night’s game against Utah (12-0).

Coffee not concerned with rushing record
With University of Alabama junior left tackle Andre Smith suspended for Friday’s game against Utah in the Sugar Bowl, one of the biggest questions for the Crimson Tide is how it might affect junior running back Glen Coffee’s record chase. With 1,347 yards on 220 carries, he needs only 125 yards to set a new UA single-season mark, currently held by Bobby Humphrey (1,471 yards on 236 carries in 1986). “I’ve been aware, but that’s not the focus,” Coffee said during a press conference Monday morning before Smith’s suspension was announced. “The focus is on what the coaches are asking me to do in the game.”

No Zs, just Ws
If there’s one word that should never be used to describe University of Alabama offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jim McElwain, it’s boring. As a person, he’s anything but. Introduce yourself and you may get a wide smile. Ask about his home state of Montana and prepare to get comfortable because there are few things he likes to talk about more. His offense really isn’t much different even though the run-first Crimson Tide was called everything from throwback to old school this season while cranking out 196.5 rushing yards per game and outscoring the opposition by an average of 31-13.

Roll Tide!