Tide Tidbits - January 6, 2009

Oklahoma looks to Alabama for help
Florida’s confounding spread offense that features quarterback Tim Tebow demands as detailed a game plan as possible. Oklahoma, which faces the Gators in the FedEx BCS National Championship game in Miami on Thursday night, has been looking everywhere to find a key. That includes calls to Alabama’s coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart last week acknowledged contact from Bob Stoops’ staff at Oklahoma. They also downplayed its significance.

Crimson Tide late-season showings prove Alabama has work left
Three reasons high on the list of why Tide faithful have carried on a season-long love-fest with Saban are the discipline he instills in his players, the notion that he always has his team performing at its top level and the intensity a Saban-coached group has. None of those qualities were on display Friday night. Alabama had seven penalties for 67 yards, two interceptions and a fumble. The defense, the secondary in particular, missed tackle after tackle, and the offense was manhandled all night by the Utes’ front seven. Not much discipline or intensity there.

Mike Shula and John Parker Wilson to reunite for Senior Bowl
Officials of the Senior Bowl released word today that staffs of the Cincinnati Bengals (North) and Jacksonville Jaguars (South) will be coaching this year's Jan. 24 game in Mobile. That Jacksonville staff, of course, includes its quarterbacks coach: Former Alabama head coach Mike Shula. Throw in the fact that departing Crimson Tide QB John Parker Wilson is one of four Tide players bound for the Senior Bowl, and that makes a very interesting angle to this year's event.

Despite Alabama’s loss, SEC enjoys surprising bowl efforts
Alabama’s disappointment in the Sugar Bowl may have overshadowed everything else, but the SEC turned in some surprisingly strong showings during a bowl season that preceded Florida’s appearance in the national championship game.

Roll Tide!