2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") represented the University of Alabama
in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference
(SEC) and its 17th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Nick Saban
, in his second year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa
, Alabama
. They finished with an undefeated 12–0 regular season, their first since 1994
, and won their first SEC Western Division Championship since 1999
. They finished the season with a record of 12–2 (8–0 in the SEC) after losses to Florida
in the SEC Championship Game
and to Utah
in the Sugar Bowl
.
In Week 10 of the season, Alabama became the No. 1 team in both the AP
and Coaches' Polls as well as the Bowl Championship Series
(BCS) standings. It was the first time the Crimson Tide has been ranked No. 1 in the regular season since November 1, 1980, when the top-ranked Tide fell to Mississippi State
. It was also the first time Nick Saban had ever achieved the No. 1 position in the AP Poll and the first time in school history Alabama had reached No. 1 in the BCS standings. With their 27–21 overtime win over LSU
, Alabama clinched a berth in the SEC Championship Game
. The Crimson Tide finished their regular season undefeated with a 36–0 shutout victory over Auburn
in the Iron Bowl
. However, the Tide went on to lose to Florida 31–20 in the SEC Championship Game. A month later, the Tide finished the season with a 31–17 loss in the Sugar Bowl against Utah.
and longtime rival Tennessee
. The Tide went on to win their final game against Colorado
(30–24) in the Independence Bowl
to finish with a 7–6 record. In June 2009, the NCAA Committee on Infractions sanctioned Alabama for "major violations" of NCAA policies as a result of athletes who received improper benefits in 16 of 19 NCAA sports, including football. As part of the penalties imposed, the football program was forced to vacate five victories from the 2007 season making the official 2007 record 2–6.
In February 2008, Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to both Rivals and Scout. Spring practice began on March 13 and concluded with the annual A-Day spring game on April 12. Before a crowd of 78,200, the Crimson team defeated the White team by a score of 24–14 in Bryant–Denny Stadium. For their performances, Alfred McCullough earned the Dwight Stephenson
Lineman of the A-Day Game Award and Terry Grant earned the Dixie Howell
Memorial Most Valuable Player of the A-Day Game Award.
and Justin Britt
on offense and Wallace Gilberry
, Darren Mustin, Keith Saunders
, Ezekial Knight, Simeon Castille
and Marcus Carter on defense.
150": No. 2 Julio Jones (WR); No. 19 Burton Scott (ATH); No. 30 Courtney Upshaw (DE); No. 33 Tyler Love (OT); No. 99 Jerrell Harris (LB); No. 109 Mark Ingram, Jr. (RB); and No. 144 Chris Jackson (ATH). Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to both Rivals and Scout.
computer ratings calculated Alabama's strength of schedule
to be the sixth most difficult out of the 245 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the eighth most difficult out of the 120 Division I FBS teams in its rankings. Alabama's 2008 schedule was officially released on January 4, 2008. It featured six pre-season AP Top 25
teams, five of which were ranked in the top 10, eight of which made bowl games in 2007.
In accordance with conference rules, Alabama faced all five Western Division opponents: Arkansas
, Auburn
, LSU
, Mississippi State
, and Ole Miss
. They also faced three Eastern Division opponents: official SEC rival
Tennessee
, Georgia
, and Kentucky
. Alabama did not play SEC opponents South Carolina
and Vanderbilt
. Although not on the regular season schedule, Bama met Florida
in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama also played four non-conference games. The non-conference schedule included games against Clemson
of the Atlantic Coast Conference
, Tulane
of Conference USA
and both Western Kentucky
and Arkansas State
of the Sun Belt Conference
. For the 2009 Sugar Bowl
, Alabama played Utah
.
and their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Major Applewhite
, on January 16, 2008, when he was hired as running backs coach for Texas
. During the following weeks, Saban named former Michigan State
head coach Bobby Williams as his team's new as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, and Jim McElwain from Fresno State
as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
In January 2008, officials from both Clemson
and Alabama
announced they would open the 2008 season against each other in the inaugural Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
at the Georgia Dome
in Atlanta. With ESPN's
College GameDay in town, and Clemson
, selected as the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference
, the Crimson Tide upset
the Tigers 34–10 to open the season.
After opening the scoring on a 54-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal, Cory Reamer
forced a Jamie Harper fumble
recovered by Dont'a Hightower
at the Clemson 31. The ensuing drive resulted in a 21-yard Tiffin field goal and a 6–0 lead. After holding the Tigers to a three and out, the Tide reached the end zone for the first time on the evening on a one-yard John Parker Wilson
touchdown
run to extend the lead to 13–0. After Mark Buchholz hit a 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter, Alabama extended their lead to 20–3 after Wilson hit Nick Walker for a four-yard touchdown reception on the following drive. After a missed 52-yard Tiffin field goal, Marquis Johnson
intercepted a Cullen Harper
pass on the next Clemson possession to set up a 34-yard Tiffin field goal as time expired to give Alabama a 23–3 halftime lead. Clemson opened the second half with C. J. Spiller
returning the opening kickoff
96 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 23–10. Alabama responded later in the third quarter with a four-yard Wilson touchdown pass to Julio Jones
in extending the lead to 31–10. Tiffin added the final points of the evening on a 26-yard field goal to cap a 14 play, 78 yard drive in bringing the final score to 34–10.
James Davis
and C.J. Spiller, the duo known as "Thunder and Lightning," combined for only 20 yards on the ground, while the team's rushing total was 0. Clemson's redshirt
senior quarterback, Cullen Harper
, completed 20 of 34 passes but had no touchdowns and one interception. Alabama's John Parker Wilson completed 22 of 30 passes with no interceptions. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 12–3.
Alabama's season home-opener saw the Crimson Tide defeat Tulane
20–6, in the 41st meeting between the two teams and the first since 1994
. Alabama received the opening kickoff
, but went three-and-out on their first possession. After the Bama defense stopped Tulane on their opening possession, Javier Arenas
ignited the crowd on an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 7–0 lead. Later in the first quarter, Chris Rogers returned a blocked punt
17-yards for a touchdown, though freshman kicker Corey Smith missed the extra point
resulting in a 13–0 lead. Tulane scored the only points of the second quarter on a 35-yard Ross Thevenot field goal in bringing the halftime score to 13–3.
At the end of the third, Mark Ingram scored the lone offensive touchdown of the game on a 15-yard run and a 21-yard Thevenot field goal in the fourth brought the game to its final 20–6 margin. For the game, Javier Arenas set a school record with 147 yards on punt returns, eclipsing the previous mark of 141 yards set by Harry Gilmer
against Georgia in 1947. For his performance, Arenas was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Green Wave to 27–11–3.
In week three, Alabama defeated the Western Kentucky
(WKU) Hilltoppers
41–7, who were playing their second season in the FBS. The Bama defense held the Hilltoppers offense to a three-and-out on their first drive of the game. The Crimson Tide offense took over and completed a twelve-play drive that ended with a seven-yard touchdown run by Mark Ingram. WKU fumble
d on the first play of their subsequent drive, and Alabama recovered the ball on the WKU 17 yard line, setting up a 22-yard field goal by Leigh Tiffin
. Ingram scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a five-yard run to give Alabama a 17–0 at the end of the first quarter. Alabama scored on their first possession of the second quarter on an eight-yard Terry Grant touchdown run to cap a 9-play, 78-yard drive. John Parker Wilson
threw an interception on the first play of the next drive. This set up the Hilltoppers' lone score of the afternoon on a 30-yard touchdown reception by Tristan Jones from David Wolke. Alabama put one more touchdown on the scoreboard on a two-yard Nick Walker reception from Wilson, to take a 31–7 lead into halftime.
On the first drive of the second half, the Bama offense was held to a 25-yard, Tiffin field goal, making the score 34–7. The defense held WKU to a three-and-out on their first possession of the second half. This set up a seven-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Julio Jones
. Alabama benched most of their starters at the end of the third quarter, and neither team scored in the fourth quarter, to make the final score of 41–7.
In what was head coach Bobby Petrino
's first game against Alabama, the Crimson Tide were victorious by a final score of 49–14 against the Arkansas
Razorbacks
in Fayetteville
. The Tide received the opening kickoff, and put together a ten play, 71-yard drive with Mark Ingram scoring on a one-yard touchdown run. Arkansas was forced to punt
on their first drive, and on the first play of the subsequent Alabama drive, Glen Coffee
ran 87 yards for the Tide's second touchdown and a 14–0 lead. In the final minute of the first quarter, Javier Arenas
intercepted a Casey Dick
pass and returned it 63-yards for a touchdown to give Alabama a 21–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Arkansas started their next drive at their own 47 yard line after a 41-yard kickoff return
by Dennis Johnson, and drove 53-yards for a touchdown, scoring on fourth-and-one from the Bama twelve yard line on a Dick pass to Andrew Davie
. Bama responded with a 68-yard drive capped off by a 25-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson to Julio Jones. Arkansas put together a steady drive on their next possession, but Justin Woodall
intercepted Dick at the Bama 26 yard line and returned it 74-yards for a touchdown. Arkansas put together another solid drive, but facing a first and goal at the Bama one yard line, Arkansas was kept out by the stout Bama defense on a goal line stand to close out the half with Bama up 35–7.
Arkansas received the second half kickoff, but Alabama's Marquis Johnson
intercepted Dick's pass on the first play of the second half, to set up a 31-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee. By the end of the third quarter, both teams had put in their substitutes. On Alabama's first possession of the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Greg McElroy
's pass was intercepted by Ramon Broadway, setting up a 10-yard touchdown pass by Arkansas second string quarterback Tyler Wilson to Michael Smith. On the first play of Bama's next drive, Roy Upchurch ran 62-yards for Alabama's final touchdown to make the final score 49–14. The 49 points were the most points scored by Alabama in an SEC game since a 59–28 victory over Vanderbilt
in 1990
. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 9–8 (12–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
With ESPN's College Gameday in Athens
, and Georgia
wearing black jerseys for only the third time in school history, as the fans followed suit in a "blackout," the Crimson Tide upset
the Bulldogs
41–30. Georgia won the opening coin toss, deferring to receive in the second half. Alabama quickly took control of the game, moving the ball 73-yards before Mark Ingram, Jr.
ran for a 7-yard touchdown to make the score 7–0. After the Bulldogs failed to move the ball on their first drive, the Tide again put points on the board as Leigh Tiffin
kicked a 23-yard field goal with 4:51 left in the first quarter, to give Alabama 10–0 lead.
After the Bulldogs offense again failed to move the ball, Alabama began a drive at the Georgia 48 yard line. Two plays later, a 31-yard pass from John Parker Wilson
to Julio Jones
moved the ball inside of the Georgia five-yard line. Glen Coffee
ran in for his third touchdown of the season, and Alabama led 17–0. On Georgia's next drive, quarterback Matthew Stafford
completed a 16-yard pass to wide receiver A. J. Green
, who fumble
d the ball which was subsequently fumbled and recovered by Dont'a Hightower
. After a short drive, Roy Upchurch scored Alabama's third rushing touchdown to extend their lead to 24–0. Before the halftime break, Wilson connected with Julio Jones for a 22-yard touchdown pass as Alabama led 31–0 at half.
In the second half, Georgia's offense began moving the ball, scoring on their first drive of the half when Blair Walsh kicked a 33-yard field goal. On Alabama's sixth drive of the game, Georgia defense forced a three-and-out for the first time, forcing a P. J. Fitzgerald punt. Georgia again cut into the lead later in the third quarter when running back Knowshon Moreno
ran for a two-yard touchdown, to cap a 58-yard drive and cut Alabama's lead to 31–10. Georgia again reduced Alabama's lead when Prince Miller
returned a Fitzgerald punt for a 92-yard touchdown. On the following drive, Alabama extended their lead to 34–17 on a 32-yard Leigh Tiffin field goal.
On a crucial drive in the fourth quarter, Alabama converted when Glen Coffee gave Alabama a 41–10 lead by scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run. The following drive, Georgia struck back when Matthew Stafford completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Michael Moore, though failed in an attempted two-point conversion
. Georgia got the ball back after a successful onside kick
, starting their drive at the Alabama 40-yard line. A. J. Green caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Stafford again for their final score of the game, as Alabama survived 41–30. With the victory, the Crimson Tide snapped a three-game losing streak to the Bulldogs, dating back to the 1995 season
. The 41 points were the most ever scored by the Tide against Georgia, and the victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 36–25–4.
The Crimson Tide entered their game against the Kentucky
Wildcats
as the No. 2 ranked team in America, their highest ranking in fifteen years, and escaped with a 17–14 victory. After early stalled drives from each team, Alabama began their first successful drive with 12:25 left in the first quarter. Glen Coffee
ran ahead for a short, 3-yard gain, and on the next play, John Parker Wilson
connected with Julio Jones
for a 40-yard pass; however, the play was negated following a penalty. On the next play, Coffee rushed through the middle of the line for a 78-yard touchdown, his second longest and fifth rushing touchdown of the season. With under two minutes to go, Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline
fumble
d while attempting a pass, which Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
recovered and returned four yards for a touchdown. Leigh Tiffin
missed the extra point, though after an offside penalty, he was given another attempt which he converted. After both offenses failed to score in the second quarter, Alabama took a 14–0 lead into the halftime break.
Halfway into the third quarter, Kentucky's offense finally got on the scoreboard when Hartline connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Dicky Lyons, Jr. Once more, both offenses were unable to move the ball for rest of the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Alabama began their second-to-last drive with 11:10 remaining, defending a 14–7 lead. The drive included twelve rushing attempts and a pass to Julio Jones, as Alabama moved the ball 81 yards in just over eight minutes. After a delay of game penalty, Leigh Tiffin connected on the game-winning, 24-yard field goal which gave Alabama a 17–7 lead. With 2:12 remaining, Hartline and the Kentucky offense again took the field. After a mix of successful and incomplete passes, Kentucky faced a 3rd-and-10 on the Crimson Tide 48 yard line. A 48-yard touchdown pass from Hartline to receiver DeMoreo Ford cut the Alabama lead to three. A failed onside kick
attempt ended Kentucky's hope for a comeback, as Alabama escaped with a 17–14 victory.
Despite the lack of offensive points, Alabama running back Glen Coffee rushed for a season-high 218 yards on 25 attempts, including a touchdown and two fumble
s. The 218 yards gained by Coffee was the most by an Alabama rusher since Shaun Alexander
in 1996
. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Wildcats to 34–2–1.
Playing after their first bye week
of the season, Alabama returned to the field and defeated their long-time rival Ole Miss
Rebels
24–20. After several early failed drives in the opening quarter, Ole Miss became the first team to score on Alabama in the first quarter, as well as the first to have a lead against the Crimson Tide in 2008 after a successful 25-yard Joshua Shene field goal. The Crimson Tide responded on their next drive with a 26-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson
to Marquis Maze
to take a 7–3 lead to end the first quarter. Ole Miss had limited offense in the second quarter as the Tide defense held a shutout for the remainder of the half. However, the offense scored 17 points coming on a 2-yard run from Mark Ingram, Jr.
, a 41-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin
, and a 30-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Mike McCoy to take a 24–3 at halftime.
However, the second half was different as the Crimson Tide failed to score for the remainder of the game. Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt
gambled on a 4th-and-goal with a fake field goal attempt, as Rob Park passed to Jason Cook for a 9-yard touchdown. Several minutes into the fourth quarter, Ole Miss again cut Alabama's lead to 24–17 after Jevan Snead
threw a 17-yard touchdown strike to Shay Hodge
. Three minutes later, Shene hit a 35-yard field goal to cut Alabama's lead to 24–20. A stalled drive forced Alabama punter P. J. Fitzgerald to give the ball to the Rebels with 3:03 left. The Rebels moved the ball steadily down the field over the next two minutes, however turned it over on downs after a failed 4th-and-5 on Alabama's 43 yard line. The victory pushed Alabama to 6–0, giving them bowl eligibility, and was the team's fifth in a row over the Rebels and improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 42–9–2 (46–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
In their annual rivalry game, Alabama met their rival to the north in the Tennessee
Volunteers
and was victorious 29–9. Teams traded field goals in the first quarter with Leigh Tiffin
converting from 39 and 43 yards for Alabama and Daniel Lincoln converting one from 31 yards for Tennessee to give the Tide a 6–3 at the end the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Crimson Tide offense moved down the field with Glen Coffee
scoring on a three-yard touchdown run. With 2:41 remaining in the first half, the Volunteers started their final drive of the half at their own 22-yard line. The Tennessee offense quickly moved the ball down the field with several key Nick Stephens completions. A 5-yard procedure penalty on the offense set up a third-and-six on Alabama's 19-yard line. Stephens completed a pass to Lucas Taylor; however, it did not count as Taylor was flagged for offensive pass interference. After failing to gain enough yardage on third down, the Volunteers again attempted a field goal, and after a timeout in attempt to "ice the kicker
" by Nick Saban, Lincoln missed his second field goal of the game to give Alabama a 13–3 halftime lead.
The Tide quickly took control of the third quarter, forcing a three-and-out on Tennessee's first possession. Alabama answered with a 30-yard Tiffin field goal to extend their lead to 16–3. After another forced three-and-out, Alabama steadily moved the ball downfield before John Parker Wilson
rushed for a one-yard touchdown. However, the two-point conversion
was not successful and Alabama led 22–3. Early in the fourth quarter, Roy Upchurch sealed the Alabama victory with a four-yard touchdown run. A Josh Briscoe touchdown reception from Stephens cut into the lead, but the Tide stopped the two-point conversion, giving them a 29–9 victory. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 45–38–7 (47–37–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits). It was the final game of the rivalry for Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer
, who resigned 10 days later.
Alabama faced the Arkansas State
Red Wolves
for only the second time in school history, the first being a 34–7 victory in the 1982 season, and was victorious 35–0. The Crimson Tide offense got on the scoreboard first after a stalled Red Wolves opening drive. After the Crimson Tide offense drove 89-yards in just under eight minutes, Glen Coffee
ran for a 9-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 7–0 lead. Both offenses failed to move the ball far down field, resulting in several punts and a Wilson interception by Red Wolves defensive back Dominique Williams. Midway through the fourth quarter, Alabama safety Rashad Johnson
intercepted a Corey Leonard pass and returned it for 32-yards and a touchdown to give the Tide a 14–0 at the half.
On Alabama's opening second half drive, Roy Upchurch ran for a 22-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 21–0 lead. Both offenses again stalled before Alabama's freshman running back Mark Ingram, Jr.
ran for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the Crimson Tide lead to 28–0. Midway through the fourth quarter, Ingram again scored on a 17-yard rush for the final score of the game. Ingram finished the game with 12 carries for 113 yards, including two touchdowns, and for his performance was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. The following day, the Crimson Tide achieved their first No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll
since the 1980 season, and their first ever #1 BCS
ranking.
Nick Saban returned to Tiger Stadium
for the first time since his tenure as the Miami Dolphins
head coach. Alabama entered the game as the No. 1 ranked team in all major polls, and defeated the LSU
Tigers
27–21 in overtime
. Alabama's offense quickly got the ball moving, as the team marched down to the LSU 26 yard line. John Parker Wilson
passed to Earl Alexander
, who proceeded to pick up 25-yards before fumbling
out of the endzone, resulting in a touchback
for the Tigers. On the first LSU possession, the Tigers ran three plays for a loss of seven yards before Alabama safety Rashad Johnson
intercepted Jarrett Lee, returning it to the LSU 15 yard line. Glen Coffee
moved the ball to the goal line, before John Parker Wilson dove into the endzone two plays later for a 7–0 lead. The Tigers came back to tie the game on their next drive as Jarrett Lee completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd
. On the ensuing kickoff, Alabama's Javier Arenas
fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Josh Jasper
at the Tide's 30 yard line. After a Lee incomplete pass, running back Charles Scott
scored on a 30-yard rush, giving LSU a 14–7 lead. After both offenses slowed down, Alabama tied the game after Rashad Johnson intercepted a pass, and returned it for 54-yards and a touchdown to tie the score at 14–14 at the half.
Early in the third quarter, Alabama regained the lead 21–14 on a three-yard Glen Coffee
touchdown run. Both offenses again began to struggle, as Alabama punted on their next two possessions. Early in the first quarter, LSU put together a long possession which ran more than six minutes off the game clock. Charles Scott ran for his second touchdown of the game as the Tigers tied the game at 21–21 with 6:12 left on the clock. With 1:58 left in the game, Alabama received the ball on their own 41 yard line following another LSU punt. Glen Coffee and the offense steadily moved the ball downfield to the LSU eleven yard line. With several seconds left on the clock, Alabama lined up for a game-winning, 29-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin
. However, Tiffin missed his second field goal of the game when Ricky Jean-Francois
blocked the field goal, sending the game into overtime.
Alabama won the overtime coin toss, choosing to play on defense first. On their first possession, Charles Scott of LSU ran for a 5-yard gain. Richard Murphy rushed for a loss of one on the following play, as Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
stopped him short of the line of scrimmage
. On third down, Jarrett Lee threw his fourth interception of the game when Rashad Johnson again intercepted a pass. The interception ended LSU's first overtime possession, giving the ball to Alabama. The Tide offense came out throwing, as John Parker Wilson completed a 23-yard strike to Julio Jones
, moving the ball to the two yard line of LSU. After a short rush by Glen Coffee, Wilson jumped over a pile of players to get his second rushing touchdown, and preserve Alabama's unblemished record. With the win, the Crimson Tide clinched the SEC West Division, and a spot in the 2008 SEC Championship Game
, and improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 44–23–5.
A week after their overtime victory over LSU, Alabama returned home an defeated the Mississippi State
Bulldogs
32–7. Alabama took an early 2–0 lead after a Blake McAdams punt
was blocked by Kareem Jackson
and recovered by State in their endzone for a safety on the Bulldogs' first offensive possession. After holding the Tide on the following series, State's Tyson Lee committed a fumble
that was recovered by Brandon Fanney. The subsequent Alabama drive was capped with a 35-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal to give the Tide a 5–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs responded early in the second quarter and took a 7–5 lead after Tyson Lee hit Jamayel Smith
for a 31-yard touchdown reception. Alabama retook the lead and would not relinquish it again late in the second after a one-yard John Parker Wilson
touchdown run.
After holding the Bulldogs on their opening possession of the second half, the Tide extended their lead to 19–7 when Javier Arenas
returned a punt 80-yards for a touchdown. Tiffin added a pair of field goals from 34 and 35 yards out respectively before Mark Ingram, Jr.
scored the final points of the game on an one-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter and made the final score 32–7. In the game, Arenas broke both of Harry Gilmer
's Alabama single game record for punt return yardage with 153 on six attempts, and the all-time record for punt return yardage in a career. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 72–18–3 (71–19–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
In the Iron Bowl
, the Crimson Tide snapped a six-game losing streak against the Auburn
Tigers
with a 36–0 victory. Alabama took a 3–0 lead at the end of the first quarter when Leigh Tiffin
connected on a 37-yard field goal. Glen Coffee
extended their lead to 10–0 on a 41-yard touchdown run. At the end of the second quarter, Auburn's Morgan Hull appeared to connect on a 39-yard field goal. However, Alabama's Nick Saban called a time-out just before the play to negate the field goal in an attempt to ice the kicker
. On the re-kick, Bama's Bobby Greenwood blocked the field goal attempt to preserve a 10–0 Crimson Tide lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Alabama scored 19 points on a trio of touchdowns. The first came on a 39-yard Nikita Stover reception from John Parker Wilson
, and after Tiffin's extra point
was blocked by Mike McNeil, Bama led 16–0. Mark Ingram, Jr.
scored the second an third touchdowns of the third on runs of one and fourteen yards. Up 29–0 going into the fourth quarter, Alabama pulled most of its starters late in the game. As such, the final points of the evening came on a 34-yard touchdown pass from back-up quarterback Greg McElroy
to Marquis Maze
to make the final score 36–0.
The victory was Alabama's first win against the Tigers since 2001
and the first all-time victory over Auburn at Bryant–Denny Stadium. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 39–33–1.
In the 2008 edition of the SEC Championship Game
, the Crimson Tide met the Florida
Gators
for the sixth time, and lost 31–20. Florida took a 7–0 lead midway through the first quarter when Tim Tebow
threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Carl Moore. On the next possession, Alabama responded with a two play, 82-yard drive to tie the game at 7–7. The drive included a 64-yard pass play from John Parker Wilson
to Julio Jones
and an 18-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee
. The Tide then took a 10–7 lead late in the quarter after Leigh Tiffin
connected on a 30-yard field goal. The Gators tied the game at 10–10 in the second quarter after Jonathan Phillips connected on a 19-yard field goal, and then Tebow hit David Nelson
for a five-yard touchdown reception and a 17–10 at the half.
In the third, Alabama tied the game after Mark Ingram, Jr.
scored on a two-yard touchdown run, and took a 20–17 lead into the fourth quarter after a 27-yard Tiffin field goal with only 00:08 remaining in the third. The Gators responded with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to secure a 31–20 victory. The first came on an one-yard Jeffery Demps
run and the second on a five-yard Tebow pass to Riley Cooper. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Gators to 20–14 (21–14 without the NCAA vacation of the 2005 victory).
After falling to the eventual national champion Florida Gators in the SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide were selected with an at-large bid to play in the 2009 Sugar Bowl against the Mountain West Conference
champion Utah
Utes
. With a number of distractions the week before the game, including the suspension of All-American left tackle Andre Smith, Alabama lost to the Utes 31–17. Utah took a commanding 21–0 lead in the first quarter and did not relinquish it for the remainder of the game. Utah scored first on a seven-yard Brent Casteel reception from Brian Johnson
, second on a two-yard Matt Asiata
run and third on an 18-yard Bradon Godfrey
reception from Johnson. Alabama responded and cut the lead to 21–10 at the half after a 52-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal and a 73-yard Javier Arenas
punt return for a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide brought the score to 21–17 early in the third when John Parker Wilson
threw a four-yard touchdown reception to Glen Coffee
. However, Utah closed the game with ten unanswered points on a 28-yard David Reed
touchdown reception from Johnson and a 28-yard Louie Sakoda
field goal to secure their 31–17 victory.
.
class="wikitable" style="white-space:nowrap; text-align:center;">
Statistics Alabama Opponents
Punts–Yards 61–2,460 94–3,782
Average per punt
40.3
40.2
Average ToP/game 32:08 27:52
3rd down conversions 76–183 56–199
3rd down percentage
42
28
4th down conversions 8–10 10–20
4th down percentage
80
50
Touchdowns scored 52 25
Field goals–Att–Long 20–30–54 9–16–43
PAT
–Att 46–48 23–23
Attendance 644,966 364,238
Average
92,138
91,060
in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference
(SEC) and its 17th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Nick Saban
, in his second year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa
, Alabama
. They finished with an undefeated 12–0 regular season, their first since 1994
, and won their first SEC Western Division Championship since 1999
. They finished the season with a record of 12–2 (8–0 in the SEC) after losses to Florida
in the SEC Championship Game
and to Utah
in the Sugar Bowl
.
In Week 10 of the season, Alabama became the No. 1 team in both the AP
and Coaches' Polls as well as the Bowl Championship Series
(BCS) standings. It was the first time the Crimson Tide has been ranked No. 1 in the regular season since November 1, 1980, when the top-ranked Tide fell to Mississippi State
. It was also the first time Nick Saban had ever achieved the No. 1 position in the AP Poll and the first time in school history Alabama had reached No. 1 in the BCS standings. With their 27–21 overtime win over LSU
, Alabama clinched a berth in the SEC Championship Game
. The Crimson Tide finished their regular season undefeated with a 36–0 shutout victory over Auburn
in the Iron Bowl
. However, the Tide went on to lose to Florida 31–20 in the SEC Championship Game. A month later, the Tide finished the season with a 31–17 loss in the Sugar Bowl against Utah.
and longtime rival Tennessee
. The Tide went on to win their final game against Colorado
(30–24) in the Independence Bowl
to finish with a 7–6 record. In June 2009, the NCAA Committee on Infractions sanctioned Alabama for "major violations" of NCAA policies as a result of athletes who received improper benefits in 16 of 19 NCAA sports, including football. As part of the penalties imposed, the football program was forced to vacate five victories from the 2007 season making the official 2007 record 2–6.
In February 2008, Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to both Rivals and Scout. Spring practice began on March 13 and concluded with the annual A-Day spring game on April 12. Before a crowd of 78,200, the Crimson team defeated the White team by a score of 24–14 in Bryant–Denny Stadium. For their performances, Alfred McCullough earned the Dwight Stephenson
Lineman of the A-Day Game Award and Terry Grant earned the Dixie Howell
Memorial Most Valuable Player of the A-Day Game Award.
and Justin Britt
on offense and Wallace Gilberry
, Darren Mustin, Keith Saunders
, Ezekial Knight, Simeon Castille
and Marcus Carter on defense.
150": No. 2 Julio Jones (WR); No. 19 Burton Scott (ATH); No. 30 Courtney Upshaw (DE); No. 33 Tyler Love (OT); No. 99 Jerrell Harris (LB); No. 109 Mark Ingram, Jr. (RB); and No. 144 Chris Jackson (ATH). Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to both Rivals and Scout.
computer ratings calculated Alabama's strength of schedule
to be the sixth most difficult out of the 245 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the eighth most difficult out of the 120 Division I FBS teams in its rankings. Alabama's 2008 schedule was officially released on January 4, 2008. It featured six pre-season AP Top 25
teams, five of which were ranked in the top 10, eight of which made bowl games in 2007.
In accordance with conference rules, Alabama faced all five Western Division opponents: Arkansas
, Auburn
, LSU
, Mississippi State
, and Ole Miss
. They also faced three Eastern Division opponents: official SEC rival
Tennessee
, Georgia
, and Kentucky
. Alabama did not play SEC opponents South Carolina
and Vanderbilt
. Although not on the regular season schedule, Bama met Florida
in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama also played four non-conference games. The non-conference schedule included games against Clemson
of the Atlantic Coast Conference
, Tulane
of Conference USA
and both Western Kentucky
and Arkansas State
of the Sun Belt Conference
. For the 2009 Sugar Bowl
, Alabama played Utah
.
and their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Major Applewhite
, on January 16, 2008, when he was hired as running backs coach for Texas
. During the following weeks, Saban named former Michigan State
head coach Bobby Williams as his team's new as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, and Jim McElwain from Fresno State
as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
In January 2008, officials from both Clemson
and Alabama
announced they would open the 2008 season against each other in the inaugural Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
at the Georgia Dome
in Atlanta. With ESPN's
College GameDay in town, and Clemson
, selected as the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference
, the Crimson Tide upset
the Tigers 34–10 to open the season.
After opening the scoring on a 54-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal, Cory Reamer
forced a Jamie Harper fumble
recovered by Dont'a Hightower
at the Clemson 31. The ensuing drive resulted in a 21-yard Tiffin field goal and a 6–0 lead. After holding the Tigers to a three and out, the Tide reached the end zone for the first time on the evening on a one-yard John Parker Wilson
touchdown
run to extend the lead to 13–0. After Mark Buchholz hit a 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter, Alabama extended their lead to 20–3 after Wilson hit Nick Walker for a four-yard touchdown reception on the following drive. After a missed 52-yard Tiffin field goal, Marquis Johnson
intercepted a Cullen Harper
pass on the next Clemson possession to set up a 34-yard Tiffin field goal as time expired to give Alabama a 23–3 halftime lead. Clemson opened the second half with C. J. Spiller
returning the opening kickoff
96 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 23–10. Alabama responded later in the third quarter with a four-yard Wilson touchdown pass to Julio Jones
in extending the lead to 31–10. Tiffin added the final points of the evening on a 26-yard field goal to cap a 14 play, 78 yard drive in bringing the final score to 34–10.
James Davis
and C.J. Spiller, the duo known as "Thunder and Lightning," combined for only 20 yards on the ground, while the team's rushing total was 0. Clemson's redshirt
senior quarterback, Cullen Harper
, completed 20 of 34 passes but had no touchdowns and one interception. Alabama's John Parker Wilson completed 22 of 30 passes with no interceptions. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 12–3.
Alabama's season home-opener saw the Crimson Tide defeat Tulane
20–6, in the 41st meeting between the two teams and the first since 1994
. Alabama received the opening kickoff
, but went three-and-out on their first possession. After the Bama defense stopped Tulane on their opening possession, Javier Arenas
ignited the crowd on an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 7–0 lead. Later in the first quarter, Chris Rogers returned a blocked punt
17-yards for a touchdown, though freshman kicker Corey Smith missed the extra point
resulting in a 13–0 lead. Tulane scored the only points of the second quarter on a 35-yard Ross Thevenot field goal in bringing the halftime score to 13–3.
At the end of the third, Mark Ingram scored the lone offensive touchdown of the game on a 15-yard run and a 21-yard Thevenot field goal in the fourth brought the game to its final 20–6 margin. For the game, Javier Arenas set a school record with 147 yards on punt returns, eclipsing the previous mark of 141 yards set by Harry Gilmer
against Georgia in 1947. For his performance, Arenas was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Green Wave to 27–11–3.
In week three, Alabama defeated the Western Kentucky
(WKU) Hilltoppers
41–7, who were playing their second season in the FBS. The Bama defense held the Hilltoppers offense to a three-and-out on their first drive of the game. The Crimson Tide offense took over and completed a twelve-play drive that ended with a seven-yard touchdown run by Mark Ingram. WKU fumble
d on the first play of their subsequent drive, and Alabama recovered the ball on the WKU 17 yard line, setting up a 22-yard field goal by Leigh Tiffin
. Ingram scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a five-yard run to give Alabama a 17–0 at the end of the first quarter. Alabama scored on their first possession of the second quarter on an eight-yard Terry Grant touchdown run to cap a 9-play, 78-yard drive. John Parker Wilson
threw an interception on the first play of the next drive. This set up the Hilltoppers' lone score of the afternoon on a 30-yard touchdown reception by Tristan Jones from David Wolke. Alabama put one more touchdown on the scoreboard on a two-yard Nick Walker reception from Wilson, to take a 31–7 lead into halftime.
On the first drive of the second half, the Bama offense was held to a 25-yard, Tiffin field goal, making the score 34–7. The defense held WKU to a three-and-out on their first possession of the second half. This set up a seven-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Julio Jones
. Alabama benched most of their starters at the end of the third quarter, and neither team scored in the fourth quarter, to make the final score of 41–7.
In what was head coach Bobby Petrino
's first game against Alabama, the Crimson Tide were victorious by a final score of 49–14 against the Arkansas
Razorbacks
in Fayetteville
. The Tide received the opening kickoff, and put together a ten play, 71-yard drive with Mark Ingram scoring on a one-yard touchdown run. Arkansas was forced to punt
on their first drive, and on the first play of the subsequent Alabama drive, Glen Coffee
ran 87 yards for the Tide's second touchdown and a 14–0 lead. In the final minute of the first quarter, Javier Arenas
intercepted a Casey Dick
pass and returned it 63-yards for a touchdown to give Alabama a 21–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Arkansas started their next drive at their own 47 yard line after a 41-yard kickoff return
by Dennis Johnson, and drove 53-yards for a touchdown, scoring on fourth-and-one from the Bama twelve yard line on a Dick pass to Andrew Davie
. Bama responded with a 68-yard drive capped off by a 25-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson to Julio Jones. Arkansas put together a steady drive on their next possession, but Justin Woodall
intercepted Dick at the Bama 26 yard line and returned it 74-yards for a touchdown. Arkansas put together another solid drive, but facing a first and goal at the Bama one yard line, Arkansas was kept out by the stout Bama defense on a goal line stand to close out the half with Bama up 35–7.
Arkansas received the second half kickoff, but Alabama's Marquis Johnson
intercepted Dick's pass on the first play of the second half, to set up a 31-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee. By the end of the third quarter, both teams had put in their substitutes. On Alabama's first possession of the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Greg McElroy
's pass was intercepted by Ramon Broadway, setting up a 10-yard touchdown pass by Arkansas second string quarterback Tyler Wilson to Michael Smith. On the first play of Bama's next drive, Roy Upchurch ran 62-yards for Alabama's final touchdown to make the final score 49–14. The 49 points were the most points scored by Alabama in an SEC game since a 59–28 victory over Vanderbilt
in 1990
. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 9–8 (12–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
With ESPN's College Gameday in Athens
, and Georgia
wearing black jerseys for only the third time in school history, as the fans followed suit in a "blackout," the Crimson Tide upset
the Bulldogs
41–30. Georgia won the opening coin toss, deferring to receive in the second half. Alabama quickly took control of the game, moving the ball 73-yards before Mark Ingram, Jr.
ran for a 7-yard touchdown to make the score 7–0. After the Bulldogs failed to move the ball on their first drive, the Tide again put points on the board as Leigh Tiffin
kicked a 23-yard field goal with 4:51 left in the first quarter, to give Alabama 10–0 lead.
After the Bulldogs offense again failed to move the ball, Alabama began a drive at the Georgia 48 yard line. Two plays later, a 31-yard pass from John Parker Wilson
to Julio Jones
moved the ball inside of the Georgia five-yard line. Glen Coffee
ran in for his third touchdown of the season, and Alabama led 17–0. On Georgia's next drive, quarterback Matthew Stafford
completed a 16-yard pass to wide receiver A. J. Green
, who fumble
d the ball which was subsequently fumbled and recovered by Dont'a Hightower
. After a short drive, Roy Upchurch scored Alabama's third rushing touchdown to extend their lead to 24–0. Before the halftime break, Wilson connected with Julio Jones for a 22-yard touchdown pass as Alabama led 31–0 at half.
In the second half, Georgia's offense began moving the ball, scoring on their first drive of the half when Blair Walsh kicked a 33-yard field goal. On Alabama's sixth drive of the game, Georgia defense forced a three-and-out for the first time, forcing a P. J. Fitzgerald punt. Georgia again cut into the lead later in the third quarter when running back Knowshon Moreno
ran for a two-yard touchdown, to cap a 58-yard drive and cut Alabama's lead to 31–10. Georgia again reduced Alabama's lead when Prince Miller
returned a Fitzgerald punt for a 92-yard touchdown. On the following drive, Alabama extended their lead to 34–17 on a 32-yard Leigh Tiffin field goal.
On a crucial drive in the fourth quarter, Alabama converted when Glen Coffee gave Alabama a 41–10 lead by scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run. The following drive, Georgia struck back when Matthew Stafford completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Michael Moore, though failed in an attempted two-point conversion
. Georgia got the ball back after a successful onside kick
, starting their drive at the Alabama 40-yard line. A. J. Green caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Stafford again for their final score of the game, as Alabama survived 41–30. With the victory, the Crimson Tide snapped a three-game losing streak to the Bulldogs, dating back to the 1995 season
. The 41 points were the most ever scored by the Tide against Georgia, and the victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 36–25–4.
The Crimson Tide entered their game against the Kentucky
Wildcats
as the No. 2 ranked team in America, their highest ranking in fifteen years, and escaped with a 17–14 victory. After early stalled drives from each team, Alabama began their first successful drive with 12:25 left in the first quarter. Glen Coffee
ran ahead for a short, 3-yard gain, and on the next play, John Parker Wilson
connected with Julio Jones
for a 40-yard pass; however, the play was negated following a penalty. On the next play, Coffee rushed through the middle of the line for a 78-yard touchdown, his second longest and fifth rushing touchdown of the season. With under two minutes to go, Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline
fumble
d while attempting a pass, which Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
recovered and returned four yards for a touchdown. Leigh Tiffin
missed the extra point, though after an offside penalty, he was given another attempt which he converted. After both offenses failed to score in the second quarter, Alabama took a 14–0 lead into the halftime break.
Halfway into the third quarter, Kentucky's offense finally got on the scoreboard when Hartline connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Dicky Lyons, Jr. Once more, both offenses were unable to move the ball for rest of the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Alabama began their second-to-last drive with 11:10 remaining, defending a 14–7 lead. The drive included twelve rushing attempts and a pass to Julio Jones, as Alabama moved the ball 81 yards in just over eight minutes. After a delay of game penalty, Leigh Tiffin connected on the game-winning, 24-yard field goal which gave Alabama a 17–7 lead. With 2:12 remaining, Hartline and the Kentucky offense again took the field. After a mix of successful and incomplete passes, Kentucky faced a 3rd-and-10 on the Crimson Tide 48 yard line. A 48-yard touchdown pass from Hartline to receiver DeMoreo Ford cut the Alabama lead to three. A failed onside kick
attempt ended Kentucky's hope for a comeback, as Alabama escaped with a 17–14 victory.
Despite the lack of offensive points, Alabama running back Glen Coffee rushed for a season-high 218 yards on 25 attempts, including a touchdown and two fumble
s. The 218 yards gained by Coffee was the most by an Alabama rusher since Shaun Alexander
in 1996
. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Wildcats to 34–2–1.
Playing after their first bye week
of the season, Alabama returned to the field and defeated their long-time rival Ole Miss
Rebels
24–20. After several early failed drives in the opening quarter, Ole Miss became the first team to score on Alabama in the first quarter, as well as the first to have a lead against the Crimson Tide in 2008 after a successful 25-yard Joshua Shene field goal. The Crimson Tide responded on their next drive with a 26-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson
to Marquis Maze
to take a 7–3 lead to end the first quarter. Ole Miss had limited offense in the second quarter as the Tide defense held a shutout for the remainder of the half. However, the offense scored 17 points coming on a 2-yard run from Mark Ingram, Jr.
, a 41-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin
, and a 30-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Mike McCoy to take a 24–3 at halftime.
However, the second half was different as the Crimson Tide failed to score for the remainder of the game. Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt
gambled on a 4th-and-goal with a fake field goal attempt, as Rob Park passed to Jason Cook for a 9-yard touchdown. Several minutes into the fourth quarter, Ole Miss again cut Alabama's lead to 24–17 after Jevan Snead
threw a 17-yard touchdown strike to Shay Hodge
. Three minutes later, Shene hit a 35-yard field goal to cut Alabama's lead to 24–20. A stalled drive forced Alabama punter P. J. Fitzgerald to give the ball to the Rebels with 3:03 left. The Rebels moved the ball steadily down the field over the next two minutes, however turned it over on downs after a failed 4th-and-5 on Alabama's 43 yard line. The victory pushed Alabama to 6–0, giving them bowl eligibility, and was the team's fifth in a row over the Rebels and improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 42–9–2 (46–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
In their annual rivalry game, Alabama met their rival to the north in the Tennessee
Volunteers
and was victorious 29–9. Teams traded field goals in the first quarter with Leigh Tiffin
converting from 39 and 43 yards for Alabama and Daniel Lincoln converting one from 31 yards for Tennessee to give the Tide a 6–3 at the end the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Crimson Tide offense moved down the field with Glen Coffee
scoring on a three-yard touchdown run. With 2:41 remaining in the first half, the Volunteers started their final drive of the half at their own 22-yard line. The Tennessee offense quickly moved the ball down the field with several key Nick Stephens completions. A 5-yard procedure penalty on the offense set up a third-and-six on Alabama's 19-yard line. Stephens completed a pass to Lucas Taylor; however, it did not count as Taylor was flagged for offensive pass interference. After failing to gain enough yardage on third down, the Volunteers again attempted a field goal, and after a timeout in attempt to "ice the kicker
" by Nick Saban, Lincoln missed his second field goal of the game to give Alabama a 13–3 halftime lead.
The Tide quickly took control of the third quarter, forcing a three-and-out on Tennessee's first possession. Alabama answered with a 30-yard Tiffin field goal to extend their lead to 16–3. After another forced three-and-out, Alabama steadily moved the ball downfield before John Parker Wilson
rushed for a one-yard touchdown. However, the two-point conversion
was not successful and Alabama led 22–3. Early in the fourth quarter, Roy Upchurch sealed the Alabama victory with a four-yard touchdown run. A Josh Briscoe touchdown reception from Stephens cut into the lead, but the Tide stopped the two-point conversion, giving them a 29–9 victory. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 45–38–7 (47–37–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits). It was the final game of the rivalry for Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer
, who resigned 10 days later.
Alabama faced the Arkansas State
Red Wolves
for only the second time in school history, the first being a 34–7 victory in the 1982 season, and was victorious 35–0. The Crimson Tide offense got on the scoreboard first after a stalled Red Wolves opening drive. After the Crimson Tide offense drove 89-yards in just under eight minutes, Glen Coffee
ran for a 9-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 7–0 lead. Both offenses failed to move the ball far down field, resulting in several punts and a Wilson interception by Red Wolves defensive back Dominique Williams. Midway through the fourth quarter, Alabama safety Rashad Johnson
intercepted a Corey Leonard pass and returned it for 32-yards and a touchdown to give the Tide a 14–0 at the half.
On Alabama's opening second half drive, Roy Upchurch ran for a 22-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 21–0 lead. Both offenses again stalled before Alabama's freshman running back Mark Ingram, Jr.
ran for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the Crimson Tide lead to 28–0. Midway through the fourth quarter, Ingram again scored on a 17-yard rush for the final score of the game. Ingram finished the game with 12 carries for 113 yards, including two touchdowns, and for his performance was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. The following day, the Crimson Tide achieved their first No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll
since the 1980 season, and their first ever #1 BCS
ranking.
Nick Saban returned to Tiger Stadium
for the first time since his tenure as the Miami Dolphins
head coach. Alabama entered the game as the No. 1 ranked team in all major polls, and defeated the LSU
Tigers
27–21 in overtime
. Alabama's offense quickly got the ball moving, as the team marched down to the LSU 26 yard line. John Parker Wilson
passed to Earl Alexander
, who proceeded to pick up 25-yards before fumbling
out of the endzone, resulting in a touchback
for the Tigers. On the first LSU possession, the Tigers ran three plays for a loss of seven yards before Alabama safety Rashad Johnson
intercepted Jarrett Lee, returning it to the LSU 15 yard line. Glen Coffee
moved the ball to the goal line, before John Parker Wilson dove into the endzone two plays later for a 7–0 lead. The Tigers came back to tie the game on their next drive as Jarrett Lee completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd
. On the ensuing kickoff, Alabama's Javier Arenas
fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Josh Jasper
at the Tide's 30 yard line. After a Lee incomplete pass, running back Charles Scott
scored on a 30-yard rush, giving LSU a 14–7 lead. After both offenses slowed down, Alabama tied the game after Rashad Johnson intercepted a pass, and returned it for 54-yards and a touchdown to tie the score at 14–14 at the half.
Early in the third quarter, Alabama regained the lead 21–14 on a three-yard Glen Coffee
touchdown run. Both offenses again began to struggle, as Alabama punted on their next two possessions. Early in the first quarter, LSU put together a long possession which ran more than six minutes off the game clock. Charles Scott ran for his second touchdown of the game as the Tigers tied the game at 21–21 with 6:12 left on the clock. With 1:58 left in the game, Alabama received the ball on their own 41 yard line following another LSU punt. Glen Coffee and the offense steadily moved the ball downfield to the LSU eleven yard line. With several seconds left on the clock, Alabama lined up for a game-winning, 29-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin
. However, Tiffin missed his second field goal of the game when Ricky Jean-Francois
blocked the field goal, sending the game into overtime.
Alabama won the overtime coin toss, choosing to play on defense first. On their first possession, Charles Scott of LSU ran for a 5-yard gain. Richard Murphy rushed for a loss of one on the following play, as Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
stopped him short of the line of scrimmage
. On third down, Jarrett Lee threw his fourth interception of the game when Rashad Johnson again intercepted a pass. The interception ended LSU's first overtime possession, giving the ball to Alabama. The Tide offense came out throwing, as John Parker Wilson completed a 23-yard strike to Julio Jones
, moving the ball to the two yard line of LSU. After a short rush by Glen Coffee, Wilson jumped over a pile of players to get his second rushing touchdown, and preserve Alabama's unblemished record. With the win, the Crimson Tide clinched the SEC West Division, and a spot in the 2008 SEC Championship Game
, and improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 44–23–5.
A week after their overtime victory over LSU, Alabama returned home an defeated the Mississippi State
Bulldogs
32–7. Alabama took an early 2–0 lead after a Blake McAdams punt
was blocked by Kareem Jackson
and recovered by State in their endzone for a safety on the Bulldogs' first offensive possession. After holding the Tide on the following series, State's Tyson Lee committed a fumble
that was recovered by Brandon Fanney. The subsequent Alabama drive was capped with a 35-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal to give the Tide a 5–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs responded early in the second quarter and took a 7–5 lead after Tyson Lee hit Jamayel Smith
for a 31-yard touchdown reception. Alabama retook the lead and would not relinquish it again late in the second after a one-yard John Parker Wilson
touchdown run.
After holding the Bulldogs on their opening possession of the second half, the Tide extended their lead to 19–7 when Javier Arenas
returned a punt 80-yards for a touchdown. Tiffin added a pair of field goals from 34 and 35 yards out respectively before Mark Ingram, Jr.
scored the final points of the game on an one-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter and made the final score 32–7. In the game, Arenas broke both of Harry Gilmer
's Alabama single game record for punt return yardage with 153 on six attempts, and the all-time record for punt return yardage in a career. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 72–18–3 (71–19–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
In the Iron Bowl
, the Crimson Tide snapped a six-game losing streak against the Auburn
Tigers
with a 36–0 victory. Alabama took a 3–0 lead at the end of the first quarter when Leigh Tiffin
connected on a 37-yard field goal. Glen Coffee
extended their lead to 10–0 on a 41-yard touchdown run. At the end of the second quarter, Auburn's Morgan Hull appeared to connect on a 39-yard field goal. However, Alabama's Nick Saban called a time-out just before the play to negate the field goal in an attempt to ice the kicker
. On the re-kick, Bama's Bobby Greenwood blocked the field goal attempt to preserve a 10–0 Crimson Tide lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Alabama scored 19 points on a trio of touchdowns. The first came on a 39-yard Nikita Stover reception from John Parker Wilson
, and after Tiffin's extra point
was blocked by Mike McNeil, Bama led 16–0. Mark Ingram, Jr.
scored the second an third touchdowns of the third on runs of one and fourteen yards. Up 29–0 going into the fourth quarter, Alabama pulled most of its starters late in the game. As such, the final points of the evening came on a 34-yard touchdown pass from back-up quarterback Greg McElroy
to Marquis Maze
to make the final score 36–0.
The victory was Alabama's first win against the Tigers since 2001
and the first all-time victory over Auburn at Bryant–Denny Stadium. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 39–33–1.
In the 2008 edition of the SEC Championship Game
, the Crimson Tide met the Florida
Gators
for the sixth time, and lost 31–20. Florida took a 7–0 lead midway through the first quarter when Tim Tebow
threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Carl Moore. On the next possession, Alabama responded with a two play, 82-yard drive to tie the game at 7–7. The drive included a 64-yard pass play from John Parker Wilson
to Julio Jones
and an 18-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee
. The Tide then took a 10–7 lead late in the quarter after Leigh Tiffin
connected on a 30-yard field goal. The Gators tied the game at 10–10 in the second quarter after Jonathan Phillips connected on a 19-yard field goal, and then Tebow hit David Nelson
for a five-yard touchdown reception and a 17–10 at the half.
In the third, Alabama tied the game after Mark Ingram, Jr.
scored on a two-yard touchdown run, and took a 20–17 lead into the fourth quarter after a 27-yard Tiffin field goal with only 00:08 remaining in the third. The Gators responded with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to secure a 31–20 victory. The first came on an one-yard Jeffery Demps
run and the second on a five-yard Tebow pass to Riley Cooper. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Gators to 20–14 (21–14 without the NCAA vacation of the 2005 victory).
After falling to the eventual national champion Florida Gators in the SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide were selected with an at-large bid to play in the 2009 Sugar Bowl against the Mountain West Conference
champion Utah
Utes
. With a number of distractions the week before the game, including the suspension of All-American left tackle Andre Smith, Alabama lost to the Utes 31–17. Utah took a commanding 21–0 lead in the first quarter and did not relinquish it for the remainder of the game. Utah scored first on a seven-yard Brent Casteel reception from Brian Johnson
, second on a two-yard Matt Asiata
run and third on an 18-yard Bradon Godfrey
reception from Johnson. Alabama responded and cut the lead to 21–10 at the half after a 52-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal and a 73-yard Javier Arenas
punt return for a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide brought the score to 21–17 early in the third when John Parker Wilson
threw a four-yard touchdown reception to Glen Coffee
. However, Utah closed the game with ten unanswered points on a 28-yard David Reed
touchdown reception from Johnson and a 28-yard Louie Sakoda
field goal to secure their 31–17 victory.
.
class="wikitable" style="white-space:nowrap; text-align:center;">
Statistics Alabama Opponents
Punts–Yards 61–2,460 94–3,782
Average per punt
40.3
40.2
Average ToP/game 32:08 27:52
3rd down conversions 76–183 56–199
3rd down percentage
42
28
4th down conversions 8–10 10–20
4th down percentage
80
50
Touchdowns scored 52 25
Field goals–Att–Long 20–30–54 9–16–43
PAT
–Att 46–48 23–23
Attendance 644,966 364,238
Average
92,138
91,060
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC) and its 17th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
, in his second year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama . Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with a population of 90,468 in 2010...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. They finished with an undefeated 12–0 regular season, their first since 1994
1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team was one of a long line of Alabama Crimson Tide football teams; it represented the University of Alabama for the 1994–95 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference...
, and won their first SEC Western Division Championship since 1999
1999 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1999 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1999 college football season. The team was led by head coach Mike DuBose, who was in his third season with the program...
. They finished the season with a record of 12–2 (8–0 in the SEC) after losses to Florida
2008 Florida Gators football team
The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season...
in the SEC Championship Game
2008 SEC Championship Game
The 2008 Dr Pepper SEC Championship Game was played on December 6, 2008 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia to determine the 2008 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Gators were classified as the home team...
and to Utah
2008 Utah Utes football team
The 2008 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by 4th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, plays its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium...
in the Sugar Bowl
2009 Sugar Bowl
The 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 75th annual edition of the annual college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–09 bowl season of the Bowl Championship Series 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
.
In Week 10 of the season, Alabama became the No. 1 team in both the AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and Coaches' Polls as well as the Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
(BCS) standings. It was the first time the Crimson Tide has been ranked No. 1 in the regular season since November 1, 1980, when the top-ranked Tide fell to Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
. It was also the first time Nick Saban had ever achieved the No. 1 position in the AP Poll and the first time in school history Alabama had reached No. 1 in the BCS standings. With their 27–21 overtime win over LSU
2008 LSU Tigers football team
The 2008 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Les Miles who entered his fourth year at the helm of LSU Football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
, Alabama clinched a berth in the SEC Championship Game
SEC Championship Game
The SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
. The Crimson Tide finished their regular season undefeated with a 36–0 shutout victory over Auburn
2008 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2008 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Tommy Tuberville served his tenth season as head coach at Auburn...
in the Iron Bowl
Iron Bowl
The Iron Bowl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports...
. However, the Tide went on to lose to Florida 31–20 in the SEC Championship Game. A month later, the Tide finished the season with a 31–17 loss in the Sugar Bowl against Utah.
Before the season
During the 2007–2008 campaign, the Crimson Tide completed a 6–6 regular season record with their most notable wins coming over No. 16 Arkansas2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2007–2008 football season. The Razorbacks played six home games at Donald W...
and longtime rival Tennessee
2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2007–2008. They won the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference before falling to the eventual national champion LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship Game...
. The Tide went on to win their final game against Colorado
2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team
The 2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Dan Hawkins in his second season at Colorado and played their home games at Folsom Field. Colorado finished 6-7 after losing in the...
(30–24) in the Independence Bowl
2007 Independence Bowl
The 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2007–08 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 30, 2007 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Colorado Buffaloes, from...
to finish with a 7–6 record. In June 2009, the NCAA Committee on Infractions sanctioned Alabama for "major violations" of NCAA policies as a result of athletes who received improper benefits in 16 of 19 NCAA sports, including football. As part of the penalties imposed, the football program was forced to vacate five victories from the 2007 season making the official 2007 record 2–6.
In February 2008, Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to both Rivals and Scout. Spring practice began on March 13 and concluded with the annual A-Day spring game on April 12. Before a crowd of 78,200, the Crimson team defeated the White team by a score of 24–14 in Bryant–Denny Stadium. For their performances, Alfred McCullough earned the Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Eugene Stephenson is a former American football offensive lineman and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 1998...
Lineman of the A-Day Game Award and Terry Grant earned the Dixie Howell
Dixie Howell
-External links:...
Memorial Most Valuable Player of the A-Day Game Award.
Returning starters
Alabama had 18 returning starters from the previous season, including nine on offense, five on defense, and all of the special teams. The most notable departures from the previous year were D. J. HallD. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
and Justin Britt
Justin Britt
Justin Britt is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-External links:**...
on offense and Wallace Gilberry
Wallace Gilberry
Wallace Gilberry is an American football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-High school:Gilberry played his prep football at Baldwin County High...
, Darren Mustin, Keith Saunders
Keith Saunders
Keith Saunders is an American and Canadian football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, Ezekial Knight, Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille is an American football cornerback who is currently playing for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and Marcus Carter on defense.
Offense
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to... |
Senior | Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
| Terry Grant | Sophomore | Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
| Mike McCoy | Junior | Wide receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
| Travis McCall | Senior | Tight end Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... |
| Nick Walker | Senior | Tight end |
| Antoine Caldwell Antoine Caldwell Antoine Caldwell is an American football player from Montgomery, Alabama. He is currently a center for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was selected by the Texans in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
Senior | Center Center (American football) Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense... |
| Marlon Davis Marlon Davis Marlon Davis is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Alabama.... |
Senior | Offensive tackle |
| Andre Smith | Junior | Offensive tackle |
| Mike Johnson Mike Johnson (offensive lineman) Michael P. Johnson is an American football offensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson was one of three Crimson Tide offensive linemen to earn 2008 All-American honors, alongside Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell... |
Junior | Offensive guard |
Defense
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Deaderick Brandon Deaderick Brandon Augustus Deaderick is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Deaderick attended Elizabethtown High School... |
Junior | Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
| Lorenzo Washington Lorenzo Washington Lorenzo Washington is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
Junior | Nose tackle |
| Rolando McClain Rolando McClain -Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years.... |
Sophomore | Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
| Rashad Johnson Rashad Johnson Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
Senior | Safety Safety Safety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be... |
| Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson is a cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama, and high school football at Westside High School in Macon.-High school career:... |
Sophomore | Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Special teams
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| P.J. Fitzgerald | Junior | Punter |
| Leigh Tiffin Leigh Tiffin Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
Junior | Placekicker Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... |
| Javier Arenas Javier Arenas (American football) Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League... |
Junior | Return specialist Return specialist A Return Specialist is a player on American football or Canadian football special teams who specializes in returning punts and kickoff returns. There are few players who are exclusively return specialists; most play other positions as well. The special teams counterpart of a return specialist is a... |
| Brian Selman | Junior | Long snapper Long snapper In American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible.... |
Recruiting class
Alabama's recruiting class was highlighted by seven players from the "ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
150": No. 2 Julio Jones (WR); No. 19 Burton Scott (ATH); No. 30 Courtney Upshaw (DE); No. 33 Tyler Love (OT); No. 99 Jerrell Harris (LB); No. 109 Mark Ingram, Jr. (RB); and No. 144 Chris Jackson (ATH). Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to both Rivals and Scout.
Schedule
The SagarinJeff Sagarin
Jeff Sagarin is an American sports statistician well-known for his development of a methodology for ranking and rating sports teams in a variety of sports...
computer ratings calculated Alabama's strength of schedule
Strength of schedule
In sports, strength of schedule refers to the difficulty or ease of a team's/person's opponent as compared to other teams/persons. This is especially important if teams in a league do not play each other the same number of times.-Computation:...
to be the sixth most difficult out of the 245 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the eighth most difficult out of the 120 Division I FBS teams in its rankings. Alabama's 2008 schedule was officially released on January 4, 2008. It featured six pre-season AP Top 25
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
teams, five of which were ranked in the top 10, eight of which made bowl games in 2007.
In accordance with conference rules, Alabama faced all five Western Division opponents: Arkansas
2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2008 football season. The Razorbacks played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and one home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas...
, Auburn
2008 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2008 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Tommy Tuberville served his tenth season as head coach at Auburn...
, LSU
2008 LSU Tigers football team
The 2008 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Les Miles who entered his fourth year at the helm of LSU Football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
, Mississippi State
2008 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
The 2008 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University during the 2008 college football season. The team's head coach was Sylvester Croom. The Bulldogs played their six home games in 2008 at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Mississippi...
, and Ole Miss
2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team
The 2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2008 college football season. The team's head coach was Houston Nutt, who served his first season in the position and replaced Ed Orgeron, who was fired after accumulating a 10–25 record at Ole Miss from...
. They also faced three Eastern Division opponents: official SEC rival
Third Saturday in October
The Third Saturday in October, also known as the Alabama–Tennessee football rivalry, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Tennessee Volunteers football team of the University of Tennessee...
Tennessee
2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team was coached by head football coach Phillip Fulmer, in his 16th and final season as head coach. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed...
, Georgia
2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team
The 2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed in American football on behalf of the University of Georgia in 2008. The Bulldogs competed in the East Division of the Southeastern Conference . This was the Georgia Bulldogs' eighth season under the guidance of head coach Mark Richt...
, and Kentucky
2008 Kentucky Wildcats football team
The 2008 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head coach was Rich Brooks, who served his sixth year in the position...
. Alabama did not play SEC opponents South Carolina
2008 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
The 2008 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head football coach was Steve Spurrier, who served his fourth season at USC...
and Vanderbilt
2008 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
The 2008 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2008–09 college football season. The team's head coach was Bobby Johnson, who served his seventh season in the position...
. Although not on the regular season schedule, Bama met Florida
2008 Florida Gators football team
The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season...
in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama also played four non-conference games. The non-conference schedule included games against Clemson
2008 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2008 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 college football season. The Tigers were led by oft-maligned head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney...
of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
, Tulane
2008 Tulane Green Wave football team
The 2008 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Tulane competed as a member of the Conference USA....
of Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
and both Western Kentucky
2008 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team
The 2008 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University during the 2008 college football season. The team's head coach was David Elson. WKU competed as an Independent team in 2008 before their move to the Sun Belt Conference in 2009. The Hilltoppers played their...
and Arkansas State
2008 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team
The 2008 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represents Arkansas State University in the 2008 college football season. The Red Wolves played five home games at ASU Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas, including Southern Miss, Middle Tennessee, and Florida Atlantic. The Red Wolves had a difficult...
of the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
. For the 2009 Sugar Bowl
2009 Sugar Bowl
The 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 75th annual edition of the annual college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–09 bowl season of the Bowl Championship Series 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
, Alabama played Utah
2008 Utah Utes football team
The 2008 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by 4th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, plays its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium...
.
- Source: Rolltide.com All-time Football Results: 2008 Season
Depth chart
Coaching staff
Prior to the 2008 season, Alabama made several changes to its coaching staff. Alabama lost their tight ends and special teams coach, Ron Middleton, on January 4, 2008, when he was hired as assistant head coach for DukeDuke Blue Devils football
The Duke Blue Devils football program is a college football team that represents Duke University . The team is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference , which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Blue Devils compete in the Coastal...
and their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Major Applewhite
Major Applewhite
Major Lee Applewhite is the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach for the University of Texas. Prior to Texas, Applewhite served as offensive coordinator at Rice University under Todd Graham in 2006, and at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban in 2007...
, on January 16, 2008, when he was hired as running backs coach for Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
. During the following weeks, Saban named former Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
head coach Bobby Williams as his team's new as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, and Jim McElwain from Fresno State
Fresno State Bulldogs football
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they...
as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
| Name | Position | Seasons at Alabama | Alma Mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Saban Nick Saban Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo... |
Head coach Head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches... |
2 | Kent State Kent State Golden Flashes football The Kent State Golden Flashes football team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, USA. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference East division, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Football Bowl Subdivision... (1973) |
| Burton Burns | Associate Head Coach, Running Backs Running backs coach A running backs coach is a coach in charge of the running backs in gridiron football. The running backs coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator.... |
2 | Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers football The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A... (1976) |
| Curt Cignetti Curt Cignetti Curt Cignetti is an American football coach who is currently the head coach for the IUP Crimson Hawks of NCAA Division II, a position previously held by his father Frank Cignetti, Sr.-Playing career:... |
Receivers Wide receivers coach A wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator.... , Recruiting Coordinator |
2 | West Virginia West Virginia Mountaineers football The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their... (1983) |
| Bo Davis | Defensive Line Defensive Line Coach A defensive line coach is a coach that is in charge of the defensive line in gridiron football. This position is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The defensive line coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator. A defensive line coach works primarily... |
2 | LSU LSU Tigers football The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as... (1993) |
| Jim McElwain Jim McElwain Jim McElwain is an American football coach. He currently serves as offensive coordinator of the Alabama Crimson Tide. McElwain was hired on January 30, 2008, to succeed Major Applewhite.-Early life:... |
Offensive Coordinator Offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... , Quarterbacks Quarterbacks coach A quarterbacks coach is a coach in charge of the quarterbacks in gridiron football. The quarterbacks coach typically operates under the offensive coordinator on a team's coaching staff.... |
1 | Eastern Washington Eastern Washington Eagles football The Eastern Washington Eagles football team represents Eastern Washington University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision... (1984) |
| Joe Pendry Joe Pendry Joe Pendry is a former American football coach. From 1971 until 2010, he was an assistant coach or offensive coordinator for multiple teams in both the collegiate and professional ranks.... |
Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Line Offensive line coach The offensive line coach is a coaching position in gridiron football that is in charge of the offensive line. This role is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The offensive line coach serves the offense, which is led by the offensive coordinator.... |
2 | West Virginia West Virginia Mountaineers football The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their... (1969) |
| Kirby Smart Kirby Smart Kirby Smart is the defensive coordinator for the University of Alabama.-Playing career:The son of a coach himself, Smart started his football career playing High School ball with the Bainbridge High School Bearcats. He then moved on to play defensive back for the University of Georgia Bulldogs.... |
Defensive Coordinator Defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... , Linebackers Linebackers coach A linebackers coach is a position coach in charge of the linebackers in gridiron football. This role is common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The linebackers coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator and works with the players of the three linebacker... |
2 | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... (1999) |
| Kevin Steele Kevin Steele -External links:* *... |
Head Defensive Coach | 2 | Tennessee Tennessee Volunteers football The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference .... (1981) |
| Lance Thompson | Linebackers Linebackers coach A linebackers coach is a position coach in charge of the linebackers in gridiron football. This role is common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The linebackers coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator and works with the players of the three linebacker... |
2 | The Citadel (1987) |
| Bobby Williams Bobby Williams - External links :* at RollTide.com... |
Tight Ends Tight ends coach A tight ends coach is a coach in charge of the tight ends in American football. The tight ends coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator.... , Special Teams |
1 | Purdue Purdue Boilermakers football The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of... (1982) |
| Reference: | |||
Clemson
Sources:Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
and Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
announced they would open the 2008 season against each other in the inaugural Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
The Chick-fil-A College Kickoff is an annual college football game played on the opening weekend of the college football season in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome.- History :...
at the Georgia Dome
Georgia Dome
The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...
in Atlanta. With ESPN's
ESPN College Football
ESPN College Football is the branding used for broadcasts of NCAA Division I FBS college football across ESPN properties, including ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Classic, ESPNU, and ESPN Radio...
College GameDay in town, and Clemson
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, selected as the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
, the Crimson Tide upset
Upset
An upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
the Tigers 34–10 to open the season.
After opening the scoring on a 54-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal, Cory Reamer
Cory Reamer
Cory Reamer Cory Reamer Cory Reamer (born May 6, 1987 in Hoover, Alabama is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:...
forced a Jamie Harper fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recovered by Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower is an American football linebacker. He is currently attending the University of Alabama in his junior year. He was granted a medical redshirt after his original sophomore campaign was cut short by a knee injury in the fourth game of the season...
at the Clemson 31. The ensuing drive resulted in a 21-yard Tiffin field goal and a 6–0 lead. After holding the Tigers to a three and out, the Tide reached the end zone for the first time on the evening on a one-yard John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
run to extend the lead to 13–0. After Mark Buchholz hit a 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter, Alabama extended their lead to 20–3 after Wilson hit Nick Walker for a four-yard touchdown reception on the following drive. After a missed 52-yard Tiffin field goal, Marquis Johnson
Marquis Johnson
Marquis Adrian Johnson is an American football cornerback for the St. Louis Rams. He was drafted 211th overall in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft....
intercepted a Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper, Jr. is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft and has yet to sign a contract with a team. He played college football at Clemson....
pass on the next Clemson possession to set up a 34-yard Tiffin field goal as time expired to give Alabama a 23–3 halftime lead. Clemson opened the second half with C. J. Spiller
C. J. Spiller
Clifford "C.J." Spiller Jr. is an American Football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was an All-American at Clemson University and was drafted 9th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft...
returning the opening kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
96 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 23–10. Alabama responded later in the third quarter with a four-yard Wilson touchdown pass to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
in extending the lead to 31–10. Tiffin added the final points of the evening on a 26-yard field goal to cap a 14 play, 78 yard drive in bringing the final score to 34–10.
James Davis
James Davis (running back)
-Cleveland Browns:On September 12, Davis was involved in a minor one-car accident and suffered a head injury.He was briefly hospitalized and released a few hours later....
and C.J. Spiller, the duo known as "Thunder and Lightning," combined for only 20 yards on the ground, while the team's rushing total was 0. Clemson's redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
senior quarterback, Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper, Jr. is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft and has yet to sign a contract with a team. He played college football at Clemson....
, completed 20 of 34 passes but had no touchdowns and one interception. Alabama's John Parker Wilson completed 22 of 30 passes with no interceptions. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 12–3.
Tulane
Sources:Alabama's season home-opener saw the Crimson Tide defeat Tulane
Tulane Green Wave football
The Tulane Green Wave football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents Tulane University in New Orleans. The team is a member of Conference USA and is led by interim head coach Mark Hutson, who took over on October 18, 2011, when fifth-year head coach Bob Toledo resigned...
20–6, in the 41st meeting between the two teams and the first since 1994
1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team was one of a long line of Alabama Crimson Tide football teams; it represented the University of Alabama for the 1994–95 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference...
. Alabama received the opening kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
, but went three-and-out on their first possession. After the Bama defense stopped Tulane on their opening possession, Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
ignited the crowd on an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 7–0 lead. Later in the first quarter, Chris Rogers returned a blocked punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
17-yards for a touchdown, though freshman kicker Corey Smith missed the extra point
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
resulting in a 13–0 lead. Tulane scored the only points of the second quarter on a 35-yard Ross Thevenot field goal in bringing the halftime score to 13–3.
At the end of the third, Mark Ingram scored the lone offensive touchdown of the game on a 15-yard run and a 21-yard Thevenot field goal in the fourth brought the game to its final 20–6 margin. For the game, Javier Arenas set a school record with 147 yards on punt returns, eclipsing the previous mark of 141 yards set by Harry Gilmer
Harry Gilmer
Harry Vincent Gilmer, Jr. is a former American football halfback and quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.-Early life:...
against Georgia in 1947. For his performance, Arenas was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Green Wave to 27–11–3.
Western Kentucky
Sources:In week three, Alabama defeated the Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
(WKU) Hilltoppers
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football program is a college football team that represents Western Kentucky University. The team is currently a member of the Sun Belt Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
41–7, who were playing their second season in the FBS. The Bama defense held the Hilltoppers offense to a three-and-out on their first drive of the game. The Crimson Tide offense took over and completed a twelve-play drive that ended with a seven-yard touchdown run by Mark Ingram. WKU fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d on the first play of their subsequent drive, and Alabama recovered the ball on the WKU 17 yard line, setting up a 22-yard field goal by Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
. Ingram scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a five-yard run to give Alabama a 17–0 at the end of the first quarter. Alabama scored on their first possession of the second quarter on an eight-yard Terry Grant touchdown run to cap a 9-play, 78-yard drive. John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
threw an interception on the first play of the next drive. This set up the Hilltoppers' lone score of the afternoon on a 30-yard touchdown reception by Tristan Jones from David Wolke. Alabama put one more touchdown on the scoreboard on a two-yard Nick Walker reception from Wilson, to take a 31–7 lead into halftime.
On the first drive of the second half, the Bama offense was held to a 25-yard, Tiffin field goal, making the score 34–7. The defense held WKU to a three-and-out on their first possession of the second half. This set up a seven-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
. Alabama benched most of their starters at the end of the third quarter, and neither team scored in the fourth quarter, to make the final score of 41–7.
Arkansas
Sources:In what was head coach Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since the 2008 season...
's first game against Alabama, the Crimson Tide were victorious by a final score of 49–14 against the Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in Fayetteville
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
. The Tide received the opening kickoff, and put together a ten play, 71-yard drive with Mark Ingram scoring on a one-yard touchdown run. Arkansas was forced to punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
on their first drive, and on the first play of the subsequent Alabama drive, Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran 87 yards for the Tide's second touchdown and a 14–0 lead. In the final minute of the first quarter, Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
intercepted a Casey Dick
Casey Dick
Casey Dick is a former college football quarterback for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.- High school career :Dick played for Allen High School in Allen, Texas...
pass and returned it 63-yards for a touchdown to give Alabama a 21–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Arkansas started their next drive at their own 47 yard line after a 41-yard kickoff return
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
by Dennis Johnson, and drove 53-yards for a touchdown, scoring on fourth-and-one from the Bama twelve yard line on a Dick pass to Andrew Davie
Andrew Davie
Andrew Davie is a tight end who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. Davie played college football at the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. He joined the Razorbacks after playing four years of minor league baseball...
. Bama responded with a 68-yard drive capped off by a 25-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson to Julio Jones. Arkansas put together a steady drive on their next possession, but Justin Woodall
Justin Woodall
Justin Woodall is a pitcher for the Hudson Valley Renegades, a minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets but instead decided to go to the University of Alabama to play football. In his freshman year in 2006, he had six tackles, one pass...
intercepted Dick at the Bama 26 yard line and returned it 74-yards for a touchdown. Arkansas put together another solid drive, but facing a first and goal at the Bama one yard line, Arkansas was kept out by the stout Bama defense on a goal line stand to close out the half with Bama up 35–7.
Arkansas received the second half kickoff, but Alabama's Marquis Johnson
Marquis Johnson
Marquis Adrian Johnson is an American football cornerback for the St. Louis Rams. He was drafted 211th overall in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft....
intercepted Dick's pass on the first play of the second half, to set up a 31-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee. By the end of the third quarter, both teams had put in their substitutes. On Alabama's first possession of the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
's pass was intercepted by Ramon Broadway, setting up a 10-yard touchdown pass by Arkansas second string quarterback Tyler Wilson to Michael Smith. On the first play of Bama's next drive, Roy Upchurch ran 62-yards for Alabama's final touchdown to make the final score 49–14. The 49 points were the most points scored by Alabama in an SEC game since a 59–28 victory over Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
in 1990
1990 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1990 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1990 college football season. The Crimson Tide was led by first-year head coach Gene Stallings, replacing Bill Curry who left for the University of Kentucky....
. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 9–8 (12–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Georgia
Sources:With ESPN's College Gameday in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, and Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
wearing black jerseys for only the third time in school history, as the fans followed suit in a "blackout," the Crimson Tide upset
Upset
An upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
the Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
41–30. Georgia won the opening coin toss, deferring to receive in the second half. Alabama quickly took control of the game, moving the ball 73-yards before Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
ran for a 7-yard touchdown to make the score 7–0. After the Bulldogs failed to move the ball on their first drive, the Tide again put points on the board as Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
kicked a 23-yard field goal with 4:51 left in the first quarter, to give Alabama 10–0 lead.
After the Bulldogs offense again failed to move the ball, Alabama began a drive at the Georgia 48 yard line. Two plays later, a 31-yard pass from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
moved the ball inside of the Georgia five-yard line. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran in for his third touchdown of the season, and Alabama led 17–0. On Georgia's next drive, quarterback Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford
John Matthew Stafford is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Georgia....
completed a 16-yard pass to wide receiver A. J. Green
A. J. Green
Adriel Jeremiah "A. J." Green is an American football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was selected fourth overall by the Bengals in the 2011 NFL Draft...
, who fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d the ball which was subsequently fumbled and recovered by Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower is an American football linebacker. He is currently attending the University of Alabama in his junior year. He was granted a medical redshirt after his original sophomore campaign was cut short by a knee injury in the fourth game of the season...
. After a short drive, Roy Upchurch scored Alabama's third rushing touchdown to extend their lead to 24–0. Before the halftime break, Wilson connected with Julio Jones for a 22-yard touchdown pass as Alabama led 31–0 at half.
In the second half, Georgia's offense began moving the ball, scoring on their first drive of the half when Blair Walsh kicked a 33-yard field goal. On Alabama's sixth drive of the game, Georgia defense forced a three-and-out for the first time, forcing a P. J. Fitzgerald punt. Georgia again cut into the lead later in the third quarter when running back Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Rockwell Moreno is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was selected 12th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Broncos. He played college football at the University of Georgia.-Early years:Moreno grew up in Belford, a neighborhood in...
ran for a two-yard touchdown, to cap a 58-yard drive and cut Alabama's lead to 31–10. Georgia again reduced Alabama's lead when Prince Miller
Prince Miller
Prince Miller is an American football cornerback who is currently a player for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played college football at Georgia.-Early years:...
returned a Fitzgerald punt for a 92-yard touchdown. On the following drive, Alabama extended their lead to 34–17 on a 32-yard Leigh Tiffin field goal.
On a crucial drive in the fourth quarter, Alabama converted when Glen Coffee gave Alabama a 41–10 lead by scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run. The following drive, Georgia struck back when Matthew Stafford completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Michael Moore, though failed in an attempted two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
. Georgia got the ball back after a successful onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
, starting their drive at the Alabama 40-yard line. A. J. Green caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Stafford again for their final score of the game, as Alabama survived 41–30. With the victory, the Crimson Tide snapped a three-game losing streak to the Bulldogs, dating back to the 1995 season
1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1995–96 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. The team played their home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in...
. The 41 points were the most ever scored by the Tide against Georgia, and the victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 36–25–4.
Kentucky
Sources:The Crimson Tide entered their game against the Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats football
The Kentucky Wildcats football team is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference.-History:Paul "Bear" Bryant Era...
as the No. 2 ranked team in America, their highest ranking in fifteen years, and escaped with a 17–14 victory. After early stalled drives from each team, Alabama began their first successful drive with 12:25 left in the first quarter. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran ahead for a short, 3-yard gain, and on the next play, John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
connected with Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
for a 40-yard pass; however, the play was negated following a penalty. On the next play, Coffee rushed through the middle of the line for a 78-yard touchdown, his second longest and fifth rushing touchdown of the season. With under two minutes to go, Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline
Mike Hartline
Mike Hartline is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent Quarterback and most recently was a member of the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Kentucky.-Early...
fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d while attempting a pass, which Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
Rolando McClain
-Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years....
recovered and returned four yards for a touchdown. Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
missed the extra point, though after an offside penalty, he was given another attempt which he converted. After both offenses failed to score in the second quarter, Alabama took a 14–0 lead into the halftime break.
Halfway into the third quarter, Kentucky's offense finally got on the scoreboard when Hartline connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Dicky Lyons, Jr. Once more, both offenses were unable to move the ball for rest of the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Alabama began their second-to-last drive with 11:10 remaining, defending a 14–7 lead. The drive included twelve rushing attempts and a pass to Julio Jones, as Alabama moved the ball 81 yards in just over eight minutes. After a delay of game penalty, Leigh Tiffin connected on the game-winning, 24-yard field goal which gave Alabama a 17–7 lead. With 2:12 remaining, Hartline and the Kentucky offense again took the field. After a mix of successful and incomplete passes, Kentucky faced a 3rd-and-10 on the Crimson Tide 48 yard line. A 48-yard touchdown pass from Hartline to receiver DeMoreo Ford cut the Alabama lead to three. A failed onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
attempt ended Kentucky's hope for a comeback, as Alabama escaped with a 17–14 victory.
Despite the lack of offensive points, Alabama running back Glen Coffee rushed for a season-high 218 yards on 25 attempts, including a touchdown and two fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s. The 218 yards gained by Coffee was the most by an Alabama rusher since Shaun Alexander
Shaun Alexander
Shaun Edward Alexander is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- Early career :Alexander was born and...
in 1996
1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1996–97 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to a 10–3 record in his final year with the program...
. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Wildcats to 34–2–1.
Ole Miss
Sources:Playing after their first bye week
Bye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
of the season, Alabama returned to the field and defeated their long-time rival Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
Rebels
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
24–20. After several early failed drives in the opening quarter, Ole Miss became the first team to score on Alabama in the first quarter, as well as the first to have a lead against the Crimson Tide in 2008 after a successful 25-yard Joshua Shene field goal. The Crimson Tide responded on their next drive with a 26-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
to Marquis Maze
Marquis Maze
Tyran Marquis Maze is an American football wide receiver and return specialist currently playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He has played for the Crimson Tide from 2008 to 2011 and had over 1,000 receiving yards in the 2009 and 2010 seasons...
to take a 7–3 lead to end the first quarter. Ole Miss had limited offense in the second quarter as the Tide defense held a shutout for the remainder of the half. However, the offense scored 17 points coming on a 2-yard run from Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
, a 41-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
, and a 30-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Mike McCoy to take a 24–3 at halftime.
However, the second half was different as the Crimson Tide failed to score for the remainder of the game. Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt
Houston Nutt
Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
gambled on a 4th-and-goal with a fake field goal attempt, as Rob Park passed to Jason Cook for a 9-yard touchdown. Several minutes into the fourth quarter, Ole Miss again cut Alabama's lead to 24–17 after Jevan Snead
Jevan Snead
Jevan Bryce Snead is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent...
threw a 17-yard touchdown strike to Shay Hodge
Shay Hodge
Vareion Deshay "Shay" Hodge is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Ole Miss.-College career:Hodge was a 2009...
. Three minutes later, Shene hit a 35-yard field goal to cut Alabama's lead to 24–20. A stalled drive forced Alabama punter P. J. Fitzgerald to give the ball to the Rebels with 3:03 left. The Rebels moved the ball steadily down the field over the next two minutes, however turned it over on downs after a failed 4th-and-5 on Alabama's 43 yard line. The victory pushed Alabama to 6–0, giving them bowl eligibility, and was the team's fifth in a row over the Rebels and improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 42–9–2 (46–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Tennessee
Sources:In their annual rivalry game, Alabama met their rival to the north in the Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
and was victorious 29–9. Teams traded field goals in the first quarter with Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
converting from 39 and 43 yards for Alabama and Daniel Lincoln converting one from 31 yards for Tennessee to give the Tide a 6–3 at the end the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Crimson Tide offense moved down the field with Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
scoring on a three-yard touchdown run. With 2:41 remaining in the first half, the Volunteers started their final drive of the half at their own 22-yard line. The Tennessee offense quickly moved the ball down the field with several key Nick Stephens completions. A 5-yard procedure penalty on the offense set up a third-and-six on Alabama's 19-yard line. Stephens completed a pass to Lucas Taylor; however, it did not count as Taylor was flagged for offensive pass interference. After failing to gain enough yardage on third down, the Volunteers again attempted a field goal, and after a timeout in attempt to "ice the kicker
Icing the kicker
In the sport of American football or Canadian football, the art of icing the kicker or freezing the kicker is a tactic employed by defending teams to disrupt the process of kicking a field goal just prior to the snap. Typically, either a player or a coach on the defending team will call time out...
" by Nick Saban, Lincoln missed his second field goal of the game to give Alabama a 13–3 halftime lead.
The Tide quickly took control of the third quarter, forcing a three-and-out on Tennessee's first possession. Alabama answered with a 30-yard Tiffin field goal to extend their lead to 16–3. After another forced three-and-out, Alabama steadily moved the ball downfield before John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
rushed for a one-yard touchdown. However, the two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
was not successful and Alabama led 22–3. Early in the fourth quarter, Roy Upchurch sealed the Alabama victory with a four-yard touchdown run. A Josh Briscoe touchdown reception from Stephens cut into the lead, but the Tide stopped the two-point conversion, giving them a 29–9 victory. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 45–38–7 (47–37–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits). It was the final game of the rivalry for Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer
Phillip Fulmer
Phillip Fulmer is a TV college football analyst and the former head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, who compiled a 152–52 record from 1992–2008 as head coach, but was fired during a 5–7 season in 2008...
, who resigned 10 days later.
Arkansas State
Sources:Alabama faced the Arkansas State
Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University is a public university and is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System, the state's second largest college system and third largest university by enrollment. It is located atop on Crowley's Ridge at Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA...
Red Wolves
Arkansas State Red Wolves football
The Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represents Arkansas State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition. The team was originally founded in 1911, and, since 2001, Arkansas State has competed as a member of the...
for only the second time in school history, the first being a 34–7 victory in the 1982 season, and was victorious 35–0. The Crimson Tide offense got on the scoreboard first after a stalled Red Wolves opening drive. After the Crimson Tide offense drove 89-yards in just under eight minutes, Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran for a 9-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 7–0 lead. Both offenses failed to move the ball far down field, resulting in several punts and a Wilson interception by Red Wolves defensive back Dominique Williams. Midway through the fourth quarter, Alabama safety Rashad Johnson
Rashad Johnson
Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
intercepted a Corey Leonard pass and returned it for 32-yards and a touchdown to give the Tide a 14–0 at the half.
On Alabama's opening second half drive, Roy Upchurch ran for a 22-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 21–0 lead. Both offenses again stalled before Alabama's freshman running back Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
ran for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the Crimson Tide lead to 28–0. Midway through the fourth quarter, Ingram again scored on a 17-yard rush for the final score of the game. Ingram finished the game with 12 carries for 113 yards, including two touchdowns, and for his performance was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. The following day, the Crimson Tide achieved their first No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
since the 1980 season, and their first ever #1 BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
ranking.
LSU
Sources:Nick Saban returned to Tiger Stadium
Tiger Stadium (LSU)
Tiger Stadium is an outdoor stadium located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is best known as the home stadium of the Louisiana State University football team.Tiger Stadium opened with a capacity of 12,000 in 1924...
for the first time since his tenure as the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
head coach. Alabama entered the game as the No. 1 ranked team in all major polls, and defeated the LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
Tigers
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
27–21 in overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
. Alabama's offense quickly got the ball moving, as the team marched down to the LSU 26 yard line. John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
passed to Earl Alexander
Earl Alexander
Earl Alexander may refer to:*Earl Alexander of Tunis, a title created in 1952 for Harold Alexander, 1st Viscount Alexander of Tunis*Earl Alexander of Hillsborough , a title created in 1963 for A. V. Alexander, 1st Viscount Alexander of Hillsborough...
, who proceeded to pick up 25-yards before fumbling
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
out of the endzone, resulting in a touchback
Touchback
In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there. Responsibility is determined by which team gave the ball the impetus...
for the Tigers. On the first LSU possession, the Tigers ran three plays for a loss of seven yards before Alabama safety Rashad Johnson
Rashad Johnson
Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
intercepted Jarrett Lee, returning it to the LSU 15 yard line. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
moved the ball to the goal line, before John Parker Wilson dove into the endzone two plays later for a 7–0 lead. The Tigers came back to tie the game on their next drive as Jarrett Lee completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
. On the ensuing kickoff, Alabama's Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Josh Jasper
Josh Jasper
Joshua Norwood "Josh" Jasper is an American football placekicker.He set the Tennessee state record for career high school field goals, with 44, and his longest field goal was 54 yards. In 2010, he was a Consensus College All-American placekicker for the LSU Tigers in his senior year, after...
at the Tide's 30 yard line. After a Lee incomplete pass, running back Charles Scott
Charles Scott (American football)
Charles Edward Scott, Jr. is an American football running back and fullback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU....
scored on a 30-yard rush, giving LSU a 14–7 lead. After both offenses slowed down, Alabama tied the game after Rashad Johnson intercepted a pass, and returned it for 54-yards and a touchdown to tie the score at 14–14 at the half.
Early in the third quarter, Alabama regained the lead 21–14 on a three-yard Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
touchdown run. Both offenses again began to struggle, as Alabama punted on their next two possessions. Early in the first quarter, LSU put together a long possession which ran more than six minutes off the game clock. Charles Scott ran for his second touchdown of the game as the Tigers tied the game at 21–21 with 6:12 left on the clock. With 1:58 left in the game, Alabama received the ball on their own 41 yard line following another LSU punt. Glen Coffee and the offense steadily moved the ball downfield to the LSU eleven yard line. With several seconds left on the clock, Alabama lined up for a game-winning, 29-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
. However, Tiffin missed his second field goal of the game when Ricky Jean-Francois
Ricky Jean-Francois
Ricky Barkley Jean-Francois is a professional American football nose tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. He played collegiately at Louisiana State.-College career:...
blocked the field goal, sending the game into overtime.
Alabama won the overtime coin toss, choosing to play on defense first. On their first possession, Charles Scott of LSU ran for a 5-yard gain. Richard Murphy rushed for a loss of one on the following play, as Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
Rolando McClain
-Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years....
stopped him short of the line of scrimmage
Line of scrimmage
In American and Canadian football a line of scrimmage is an imaginary transverse line beyond which a team cannot cross until the next play has begun...
. On third down, Jarrett Lee threw his fourth interception of the game when Rashad Johnson again intercepted a pass. The interception ended LSU's first overtime possession, giving the ball to Alabama. The Tide offense came out throwing, as John Parker Wilson completed a 23-yard strike to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
, moving the ball to the two yard line of LSU. After a short rush by Glen Coffee, Wilson jumped over a pile of players to get his second rushing touchdown, and preserve Alabama's unblemished record. With the win, the Crimson Tide clinched the SEC West Division, and a spot in the 2008 SEC Championship Game
2008 SEC Championship Game
The 2008 Dr Pepper SEC Championship Game was played on December 6, 2008 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia to determine the 2008 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Gators were classified as the home team...
, and improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 44–23–5.
Mississippi State
Sources:A week after their overtime victory over LSU, Alabama returned home an defeated the Mississippi State
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
Bulldogs
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
32–7. Alabama took an early 2–0 lead after a Blake McAdams punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
was blocked by Kareem Jackson
Kareem Jackson
Kareem Jackson is a cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama, and high school football at Westside High School in Macon.-High school career:...
and recovered by State in their endzone for a safety on the Bulldogs' first offensive possession. After holding the Tide on the following series, State's Tyson Lee committed a fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
that was recovered by Brandon Fanney. The subsequent Alabama drive was capped with a 35-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal to give the Tide a 5–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs responded early in the second quarter and took a 7–5 lead after Tyson Lee hit Jamayel Smith
Jamayel Smith
Jamayel Ramir Smith is an American football wide receiver who is currently playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the New York Sentinels as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
for a 31-yard touchdown reception. Alabama retook the lead and would not relinquish it again late in the second after a one-yard John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
touchdown run.
After holding the Bulldogs on their opening possession of the second half, the Tide extended their lead to 19–7 when Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
returned a punt 80-yards for a touchdown. Tiffin added a pair of field goals from 34 and 35 yards out respectively before Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
scored the final points of the game on an one-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter and made the final score 32–7. In the game, Arenas broke both of Harry Gilmer
Harry Gilmer
Harry Vincent Gilmer, Jr. is a former American football halfback and quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.-Early life:...
's Alabama single game record for punt return yardage with 153 on six attempts, and the all-time record for punt return yardage in a career. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 72–18–3 (71–19–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Auburn
Sources:In the Iron Bowl
Iron Bowl
The Iron Bowl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports...
, the Crimson Tide snapped a six-game losing streak against the Auburn
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
Tigers
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
with a 36–0 victory. Alabama took a 3–0 lead at the end of the first quarter when Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
connected on a 37-yard field goal. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
extended their lead to 10–0 on a 41-yard touchdown run. At the end of the second quarter, Auburn's Morgan Hull appeared to connect on a 39-yard field goal. However, Alabama's Nick Saban called a time-out just before the play to negate the field goal in an attempt to ice the kicker
Icing the kicker
In the sport of American football or Canadian football, the art of icing the kicker or freezing the kicker is a tactic employed by defending teams to disrupt the process of kicking a field goal just prior to the snap. Typically, either a player or a coach on the defending team will call time out...
. On the re-kick, Bama's Bobby Greenwood blocked the field goal attempt to preserve a 10–0 Crimson Tide lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Alabama scored 19 points on a trio of touchdowns. The first came on a 39-yard Nikita Stover reception from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
, and after Tiffin's extra point
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
was blocked by Mike McNeil, Bama led 16–0. Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
scored the second an third touchdowns of the third on runs of one and fourteen yards. Up 29–0 going into the fourth quarter, Alabama pulled most of its starters late in the game. As such, the final points of the evening came on a 34-yard touchdown pass from back-up quarterback Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
to Marquis Maze
Marquis Maze
Tyran Marquis Maze is an American football wide receiver and return specialist currently playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He has played for the Crimson Tide from 2008 to 2011 and had over 1,000 receiving yards in the 2009 and 2010 seasons...
to make the final score 36–0.
The victory was Alabama's first win against the Tigers since 2001
2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama during 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. They began their season trying to improve upon a 3–8 record during the 2000 season. This was the team's 69th season in the SEC. This marked Dennis Franchiones first ...
and the first all-time victory over Auburn at Bryant–Denny Stadium. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 39–33–1.
Florida
Sources:In the 2008 edition of the SEC Championship Game
SEC Championship Game
The SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
, the Crimson Tide met the Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
Gators
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
for the sixth time, and lost 31–20. Florida took a 7–0 lead midway through the first quarter when Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow is an American football player who is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft...
threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Carl Moore. On the next possession, Alabama responded with a two play, 82-yard drive to tie the game at 7–7. The drive included a 64-yard pass play from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
and an 18-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
. The Tide then took a 10–7 lead late in the quarter after Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
connected on a 30-yard field goal. The Gators tied the game at 10–10 in the second quarter after Jonathan Phillips connected on a 19-yard field goal, and then Tebow hit David Nelson
David Nelson (American football)
David Alan Nelson is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . He was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Florida.-Early years:...
for a five-yard touchdown reception and a 17–10 at the half.
In the third, Alabama tied the game after Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
scored on a two-yard touchdown run, and took a 20–17 lead into the fourth quarter after a 27-yard Tiffin field goal with only 00:08 remaining in the third. The Gators responded with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to secure a 31–20 victory. The first came on an one-yard Jeffery Demps
Jeffery Demps
Jeffery Demps is an American football running back and sprinter. He attends the University of Florida in his senior year, where he is a member of Florida Gators football team as well as the men's track team...
run and the second on a five-yard Tebow pass to Riley Cooper. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Gators to 20–14 (21–14 without the NCAA vacation of the 2005 victory).
Utah
Sources:After falling to the eventual national champion Florida Gators in the SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide were selected with an at-large bid to play in the 2009 Sugar Bowl against the Mountain West Conference
Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
champion Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
Utes
Utah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
. With a number of distractions the week before the game, including the suspension of All-American left tackle Andre Smith, Alabama lost to the Utes 31–17. Utah took a commanding 21–0 lead in the first quarter and did not relinquish it for the remainder of the game. Utah scored first on a seven-yard Brent Casteel reception from Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson (quarterback)
Brian Delance Johnson is an American football quarterbacks coach for the University of Utah. He played college football at Utah and was drafted by the New York Sentinels in the UFL Premiere Season Draft in 2009....
, second on a two-yard Matt Asiata
Matt Asiata
Matt Asiata is a American football running back who is a currently a free agent. He went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, He played college football at Utah.-High school:...
run and third on an 18-yard Bradon Godfrey
Bradon Godfrey
Bradon Cache Godfrey is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
reception from Johnson. Alabama responded and cut the lead to 21–10 at the half after a 52-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal and a 73-yard Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
punt return for a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide brought the score to 21–17 early in the third when John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
threw a four-yard touchdown reception to Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
. However, Utah closed the game with ten unanswered points on a 28-yard David Reed
David Reed (American football)
-Baltimore Ravens:On December 13, 2010, against the Houston Texans, Reed scored his first NFL touchdown on a 103-yard kickoff return. The return set a new Ravens franchise record and his 233 kickoff return yards were also the second most in franchise history...
touchdown reception from Johnson and a 28-yard Louie Sakoda
Louie Sakoda
Louie Sakoda is a kicker and punter for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. In college, he played for the Utah Utes...
field goal to secure their 31–17 victory.
Rankings
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Wk 15 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | 24 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Coaches | NR | 17 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Harris | Not released | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| BCS | Not released | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||
Statistics
In their game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, running back Mark Ingram set an Alabama record for rushing touchdowns by a freshman. The previous record holder was Terry Grant, who set it in previous season2007 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2007 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season trying to improve from a disappointing 6–7 record in the 2006 season. The Tide was led by its new head coach Nick Saban, a former head coach of rival LSU. Despite a...
.
Team
| class="wikitable" style="white-space:nowrap; text-align:center;"> | Statistics | Alabama | Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoring | 422 | 200 | |
| Points per game | 30.1 | 14.3 | |
| First downs | 263 | 197 | |
| Rushing | 133 | 60 | |
| Passing | 112 | 120 | |
| Penalties | 18 | 17 | |
| Total offensive yards | 4,981 | 3,689 | |
| Rushing | 2,585 | 1,038 | |
| Passing | 2,396 | 2,651 | |
| Fumbles–Lost | 19–10 | 20–10 | |
| Penalties–Yards | 57–520 | 87–666 | |
| Average per game | 4.1–37.1 | 6.2–47.6 |
Extra Point
Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET...
–Att
Scores by quarter
Rushing
| Name | GP-GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Long | TD | Avg/G |
|---|
| 233 | 1,383 | 5.9 | 87 | 10 | 98.8 |
| 143 | 728 | 5.1 | 40 | 12 | 52.0 |
| 58 | 350 | 6.0 | 62 | 4 | 35.0 |
| 35 | 88 | 2.5 | 18 | 1 | 6.3 |
| 6 | 29 | 5.0 | 8 | 0 | 14.5 |
| 9 | 24 | 2.7 | 7 | 0 | 8.0 |
| 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 |
| 72 | −6 | −0.1 | 20 | 5 | ! colspan=8> |
| 10 | −13 | −1.3 | 0 | 0 | ! colspan=8> |
| 391 | 1,038 | 2.7 | 62 | 5 | 74.1 |
Passing
| Name | GP-GS | Effic | Cmp-Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Lng | Avg/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to... |
14–14 | 122.3 | 187–323 | 57.9 | 2,273 | 10 | 8 | 64 | 162.4 |
| Greg McElroy Greg McElroy Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.... |
6–0 | 178.5 | 8–11 | 72.7 | 123 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 20.5 |
| Total | 14 | 124.1 | 195–334 | 58.4 | 2,396 | 11 | 9 | 64 | 171.1 |
| Opponents | 14 | 106.7 | 246–467 | 52.7 | 2,651 | 18 | 15 | 51 | 189.4 |
Receiving
| Name | GP–GS | No. | Yards | Avg | TD | Long | Avg/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julio Jones Julio Jones Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide... |
14–14 | 58 | 924 | 15.9 | 4 | 64 | 66.0 |
| Nick Walker | 14–11 | 32 | 324 | 10.1 | 2 | 40 | 23.1 |
| Mike McCoy | 13–9 | 16 | 191 | 11.9 | 1 | 30 | 14.7 |
| Glen Coffee | 14–14 | 16 | 118 | 7.4 | 1 | 15 | 8.4 |
| Marquis Maze | 14–4 | 11 | 137 | 12.5 | 2 | 34 | 9.8 |
| Roy Upchruch | 10–0 | 9 | 101 | 11.2 | 0 | 29 | 10.1 |
| Earl Alexander | 12–0 | 8 | 121 | 15.1 | 0 | 27 | 10.1 |
| Darius Hanks | 8–0 | 8 | 88 | 11.0 | 0 | 18 | 11.0 |
| Brad Smelley | 8–0 | 7 | 98 | 14.0 | 0 | 37 | 12.2 |
| Mark Ingram | 14–0 | 7 | 54 | 7.7 | 0 | 27 | 3.9 |
| Travis McCall | 14–12 | 7 | 52 | 7.4 | 0 | 12 | 3.7 |
| Nikita Stover | 14–5 | 6 | 101 | 16.8 | 1 | 39 | 7.2 |
| Terry Grant | 14–0 | 4 | 36 | 9.0 | 0 | 22 | 2.6 |
| Will Oakley | 8–0 | 2 | 27 | 13.5 | 0 | 13 | 3.4 |
| B. J. Scott | 9–0 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 | 7 | 0.8 |
| Jeramie Griffin | 2–0 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 | 4.5 |
| Preston Dial | 12–1 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 | 0.7 |
| Total | 14 | 195 | 2,396 | 12.3 | 11 | 64 | 171.1 |
| Opponents | 14 | 246 | 2,651 | 10.8 | 18 | 51 | 189.4 |
Defense
| Name | |GP–GS | |Tackles | Sacks | |Pass Defense | Fumbles | Blkd | |Safety | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Total | Loss–Yds | No.–Yds | Int–Yds | BU | PD | Qbh | Rcv–Yds | FF | Kick | |||
| Rolando McClain Rolando McClain -Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years.... |
14–14 | 48 | 47 | 95 | 12.0–45 | 3.0–22 | 1–12 | 6 | 2 | 2–4 | ||||
| Rashad Johnson Rashad Johnson Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
14–14 | 60 | 29 | 89 | 5.0–15 | 1.0–7 | 5–125 | 11 | 7 | 1–0 | 1 | |||
| Brandon Fanney | 14–14 | 26 | 40 | 66 | 9.0–19 | 1.0–5 | 1 | 4 | 1–0 | |||||
| Dont'a Hightower Dont'a Hightower Dont'a Hightower is an American football linebacker. He is currently attending the University of Alabama in his junior year. He was granted a medical redshirt after his original sophomore campaign was cut short by a knee injury in the fourth game of the season... |
14–12 | 26 | 38 | 64 | 2.5–6 | 6 | 2–8 | 1 | ||||||
| Javier Arenas Javier Arenas (American football) Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League... |
14–14 | 44 | 19 | 63 | 3.5–24 | 2.0–21 | 1–63 | 7 | 4 | 4 | ||||
| Marquis Johnson | 14–3 | 32 | 17 | 49 | 1.0–4 | 2–7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |||||
| Justin Woodall | 14–14 | 33 | 14 | 47 | 1.5–4 | 4–99 | 8 | 7 | 2 | |||||
| Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson is a cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama, and high school football at Westside High School in Macon.-High school career:... |
14–14 | 28 | 16 | 44 | 1.0–4 | 1–5 | 10 | 3 | 1–9 | 1 | ||||
| Bobby Greenwood | 14–14 | 19 | 21 | 40 | 7.0–30 | 5.0–28 | 1 | 7 | 1–5 | 1 | ||||
| Brandon Deaderick Brandon Deaderick Brandon Augustus Deaderick is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Deaderick attended Elizabethtown High School... |
14–14 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 5.5–25 | 4.0–24 | 7 | |||||||
| Cory Reamer | 14–11 | 16 | 19 | 35 | 6.0–16 | 1.0–8 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Ali Sharrief | 14–2 | 20 | 11 | 31 | 2.5–7 | 5 | 1 | 4 | ||||||
| Eryk Anders | 14–0 | 14 | 10 | 24 | 4.5–26 | 2.5–22 | 1 | 7 | 2 | |||||
| Terrence Cody Terrence Cody Terrence Bernard Cody, Jr. is an American football nose tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was selected by the Ravens in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama, where he was given the nickname "Mount Cody" for his gargantuan,... |
12–12 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 4.5–14 | 0.5–5 | 2 | 2–0 | 1 | |||||
| Courtney Upshaw | 13–0 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 3.0–3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Mark Barron Mark Barron Mark Barron , nicknamed “Superman,” is an American football safety for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Barron is 6'2" tall and weighs approximately 215 pounds. He has been clocked running 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.... |
14–0 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 1.5–11 | 1.5–11 | ||||||||
| Prince Hall | 12–0 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 2.0–5 | 0.5–4 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Josh Chapman | 13–2 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 4.0–7 | 1 | ||||||||
| Tyrone King | 14–0 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| Lorenzo Washington | 14–0 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 2.5–12 | 1.0–10 | 5 | |||||||
| Chris Rogers | 14–0 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 1–-6 | 1 | ||||||||
| Luther Davis | 14–0 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 2.5–4 | 1 | ||||||||
| Leigh Tiffin Leigh Tiffin Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
14–0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Robby Green | 12–0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||
| Chris Jackson | 12–0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Charlie Higgenbotham | 14–0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1.0–8 | 1.0–8 | ||||||||
| Marcel Dareus | 8–0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
| Roy Upchurch | 10–0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Jerrell Harris | 10–0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Terry Grant | 14–0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Chris Jordan | 10–0 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||
| P.J. Fitzgerald | 14–0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Glen Coffee | 14–14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Milton Talbert | 4–0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Travis McCall | 14–12 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Julio Jones | 14–14 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Nick Walker | 14–11 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Mike Johnson | 14–14 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Marquis Maze | 14–4 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Chavis Williams | 5–0 | 1 | 1 | 1.0–9 | 1.0–9 | 1 | ||||||||
| Nick Gentry | 9–0 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| TEAM | 14–0 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 14 | 480 | 406 | 886 | 83–298 | 26–189 | 15–305 | 57 | 29 | 60 | 10–8 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Opponents | 14 | 508 | 538 | 1046 | 58–264 | 25–178 | 9–83 | 38 | 12 | 44 | 9–0 | 11 | 4 | 0 |
Special teams
The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") represented the University of AlabamaUniversity of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC) and its 17th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
, in his second year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama . Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with a population of 90,468 in 2010...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. They finished with an undefeated 12–0 regular season, their first since 1994
1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team was one of a long line of Alabama Crimson Tide football teams; it represented the University of Alabama for the 1994–95 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference...
, and won their first SEC Western Division Championship since 1999
1999 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1999 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1999 college football season. The team was led by head coach Mike DuBose, who was in his third season with the program...
. They finished the season with a record of 12–2 (8–0 in the SEC) after losses to Florida
2008 Florida Gators football team
The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season...
in the SEC Championship Game
2008 SEC Championship Game
The 2008 Dr Pepper SEC Championship Game was played on December 6, 2008 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia to determine the 2008 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Gators were classified as the home team...
and to Utah
2008 Utah Utes football team
The 2008 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by 4th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, plays its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium...
in the Sugar Bowl
2009 Sugar Bowl
The 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 75th annual edition of the annual college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–09 bowl season of the Bowl Championship Series 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
.
In Week 10 of the season, Alabama became the No. 1 team in both the AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and Coaches' Polls as well as the Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
(BCS) standings. It was the first time the Crimson Tide has been ranked No. 1 in the regular season since November 1, 1980, when the top-ranked Tide fell to Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
. It was also the first time Nick Saban had ever achieved the No. 1 position in the AP Poll and the first time in school history Alabama had reached No. 1 in the BCS standings. With their 27–21 overtime win over LSU
2008 LSU Tigers football team
The 2008 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Les Miles who entered his fourth year at the helm of LSU Football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
, Alabama clinched a berth in the SEC Championship Game
SEC Championship Game
The SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
. The Crimson Tide finished their regular season undefeated with a 36–0 shutout victory over Auburn
2008 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2008 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Tommy Tuberville served his tenth season as head coach at Auburn...
in the Iron Bowl
Iron Bowl
The Iron Bowl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports...
. However, the Tide went on to lose to Florida 31–20 in the SEC Championship Game. A month later, the Tide finished the season with a 31–17 loss in the Sugar Bowl against Utah.
Before the season
During the 2007–2008 campaign, the Crimson Tide completed a 6–6 regular season record with their most notable wins coming over No. 16 Arkansas2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2007–2008 football season. The Razorbacks played six home games at Donald W...
and longtime rival Tennessee
2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2007–2008. They won the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference before falling to the eventual national champion LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship Game...
. The Tide went on to win their final game against Colorado
2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team
The 2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Dan Hawkins in his second season at Colorado and played their home games at Folsom Field. Colorado finished 6-7 after losing in the...
(30–24) in the Independence Bowl
2007 Independence Bowl
The 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2007–08 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 30, 2007 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Colorado Buffaloes, from...
to finish with a 7–6 record. In June 2009, the NCAA Committee on Infractions sanctioned Alabama for "major violations" of NCAA policies as a result of athletes who received improper benefits in 16 of 19 NCAA sports, including football. As part of the penalties imposed, the football program was forced to vacate five victories from the 2007 season making the official 2007 record 2–6.
In February 2008, Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to both Rivals and Scout. Spring practice began on March 13 and concluded with the annual A-Day spring game on April 12. Before a crowd of 78,200, the Crimson team defeated the White team by a score of 24–14 in Bryant–Denny Stadium. For their performances, Alfred McCullough earned the Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Eugene Stephenson is a former American football offensive lineman and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 1998...
Lineman of the A-Day Game Award and Terry Grant earned the Dixie Howell
Dixie Howell
-External links:...
Memorial Most Valuable Player of the A-Day Game Award.
Returning starters
Alabama had 18 returning starters from the previous season, including nine on offense, five on defense, and all of the special teams. The most notable departures from the previous year were D. J. HallD. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
and Justin Britt
Justin Britt
Justin Britt is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-External links:**...
on offense and Wallace Gilberry
Wallace Gilberry
Wallace Gilberry is an American football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-High school:Gilberry played his prep football at Baldwin County High...
, Darren Mustin, Keith Saunders
Keith Saunders
Keith Saunders is an American and Canadian football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, Ezekial Knight, Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille is an American football cornerback who is currently playing for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and Marcus Carter on defense.
Offense
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to... |
Senior | Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
| Terry Grant | Sophomore | Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
| Mike McCoy | Junior | Wide receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
| Travis McCall | Senior | Tight end Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... |
| Nick Walker | Senior | Tight end |
| Antoine Caldwell Antoine Caldwell Antoine Caldwell is an American football player from Montgomery, Alabama. He is currently a center for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was selected by the Texans in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
Senior | Center Center (American football) Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense... |
| Marlon Davis Marlon Davis Marlon Davis is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Alabama.... |
Senior | Offensive tackle |
| Andre Smith | Junior | Offensive tackle |
| Mike Johnson Mike Johnson (offensive lineman) Michael P. Johnson is an American football offensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson was one of three Crimson Tide offensive linemen to earn 2008 All-American honors, alongside Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell... |
Junior | Offensive guard |
Defense
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Deaderick Brandon Deaderick Brandon Augustus Deaderick is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Deaderick attended Elizabethtown High School... |
Junior | Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
| Lorenzo Washington Lorenzo Washington Lorenzo Washington is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
Junior | Nose tackle |
| Rolando McClain Rolando McClain -Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years.... |
Sophomore | Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
| Rashad Johnson Rashad Johnson Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
Senior | Safety Safety Safety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be... |
| Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson is a cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama, and high school football at Westside High School in Macon.-High school career:... |
Sophomore | Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Special teams
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| P.J. Fitzgerald | Junior | Punter |
| Leigh Tiffin Leigh Tiffin Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
Junior | Placekicker Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... |
| Javier Arenas Javier Arenas (American football) Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League... |
Junior | Return specialist Return specialist A Return Specialist is a player on American football or Canadian football special teams who specializes in returning punts and kickoff returns. There are few players who are exclusively return specialists; most play other positions as well. The special teams counterpart of a return specialist is a... |
| Brian Selman | Junior | Long snapper Long snapper In American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible.... |
Recruiting class
Alabama's recruiting class was highlighted by seven players from the "ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
150": No. 2 Julio Jones (WR); No. 19 Burton Scott (ATH); No. 30 Courtney Upshaw (DE); No. 33 Tyler Love (OT); No. 99 Jerrell Harris (LB); No. 109 Mark Ingram, Jr. (RB); and No. 144 Chris Jackson (ATH). Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to both Rivals and Scout.
Schedule
The SagarinJeff Sagarin
Jeff Sagarin is an American sports statistician well-known for his development of a methodology for ranking and rating sports teams in a variety of sports...
computer ratings calculated Alabama's strength of schedule
Strength of schedule
In sports, strength of schedule refers to the difficulty or ease of a team's/person's opponent as compared to other teams/persons. This is especially important if teams in a league do not play each other the same number of times.-Computation:...
to be the sixth most difficult out of the 245 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the eighth most difficult out of the 120 Division I FBS teams in its rankings. Alabama's 2008 schedule was officially released on January 4, 2008. It featured six pre-season AP Top 25
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
teams, five of which were ranked in the top 10, eight of which made bowl games in 2007.
In accordance with conference rules, Alabama faced all five Western Division opponents: Arkansas
2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2008 football season. The Razorbacks played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and one home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas...
, Auburn
2008 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2008 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Tommy Tuberville served his tenth season as head coach at Auburn...
, LSU
2008 LSU Tigers football team
The 2008 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Les Miles who entered his fourth year at the helm of LSU Football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
, Mississippi State
2008 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
The 2008 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University during the 2008 college football season. The team's head coach was Sylvester Croom. The Bulldogs played their six home games in 2008 at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Mississippi...
, and Ole Miss
2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team
The 2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2008 college football season. The team's head coach was Houston Nutt, who served his first season in the position and replaced Ed Orgeron, who was fired after accumulating a 10–25 record at Ole Miss from...
. They also faced three Eastern Division opponents: official SEC rival
Third Saturday in October
The Third Saturday in October, also known as the Alabama–Tennessee football rivalry, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Tennessee Volunteers football team of the University of Tennessee...
Tennessee
2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team was coached by head football coach Phillip Fulmer, in his 16th and final season as head coach. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed...
, Georgia
2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team
The 2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed in American football on behalf of the University of Georgia in 2008. The Bulldogs competed in the East Division of the Southeastern Conference . This was the Georgia Bulldogs' eighth season under the guidance of head coach Mark Richt...
, and Kentucky
2008 Kentucky Wildcats football team
The 2008 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head coach was Rich Brooks, who served his sixth year in the position...
. Alabama did not play SEC opponents South Carolina
2008 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
The 2008 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head football coach was Steve Spurrier, who served his fourth season at USC...
and Vanderbilt
2008 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
The 2008 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2008–09 college football season. The team's head coach was Bobby Johnson, who served his seventh season in the position...
. Although not on the regular season schedule, Bama met Florida
2008 Florida Gators football team
The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season...
in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama also played four non-conference games. The non-conference schedule included games against Clemson
2008 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2008 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 college football season. The Tigers were led by oft-maligned head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney...
of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
, Tulane
2008 Tulane Green Wave football team
The 2008 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Tulane competed as a member of the Conference USA....
of Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
and both Western Kentucky
2008 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team
The 2008 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University during the 2008 college football season. The team's head coach was David Elson. WKU competed as an Independent team in 2008 before their move to the Sun Belt Conference in 2009. The Hilltoppers played their...
and Arkansas State
2008 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team
The 2008 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represents Arkansas State University in the 2008 college football season. The Red Wolves played five home games at ASU Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas, including Southern Miss, Middle Tennessee, and Florida Atlantic. The Red Wolves had a difficult...
of the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
. For the 2009 Sugar Bowl
2009 Sugar Bowl
The 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 75th annual edition of the annual college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–09 bowl season of the Bowl Championship Series 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
, Alabama played Utah
2008 Utah Utes football team
The 2008 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by 4th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, plays its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium...
.
- Source: Rolltide.com All-time Football Results: 2008 Season
Depth chart
Coaching staff
Prior to the 2008 season, Alabama made several changes to its coaching staff. Alabama lost their tight ends and special teams coach, Ron Middleton, on January 4, 2008, when he was hired as assistant head coach for DukeDuke Blue Devils football
The Duke Blue Devils football program is a college football team that represents Duke University . The team is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference , which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Blue Devils compete in the Coastal...
and their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Major Applewhite
Major Applewhite
Major Lee Applewhite is the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach for the University of Texas. Prior to Texas, Applewhite served as offensive coordinator at Rice University under Todd Graham in 2006, and at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban in 2007...
, on January 16, 2008, when he was hired as running backs coach for Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
. During the following weeks, Saban named former Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
head coach Bobby Williams as his team's new as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, and Jim McElwain from Fresno State
Fresno State Bulldogs football
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they...
as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
| Name | Position | Seasons at Alabama | Alma Mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Saban Nick Saban Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo... |
Head coach Head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches... |
2 | Kent State Kent State Golden Flashes football The Kent State Golden Flashes football team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, USA. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference East division, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Football Bowl Subdivision... (1973) |
| Burton Burns | Associate Head Coach, Running Backs Running backs coach A running backs coach is a coach in charge of the running backs in gridiron football. The running backs coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator.... |
2 | Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers football The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A... (1976) |
| Curt Cignetti Curt Cignetti Curt Cignetti is an American football coach who is currently the head coach for the IUP Crimson Hawks of NCAA Division II, a position previously held by his father Frank Cignetti, Sr.-Playing career:... |
Receivers Wide receivers coach A wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator.... , Recruiting Coordinator |
2 | West Virginia West Virginia Mountaineers football The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their... (1983) |
| Bo Davis | Defensive Line Defensive Line Coach A defensive line coach is a coach that is in charge of the defensive line in gridiron football. This position is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The defensive line coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator. A defensive line coach works primarily... |
2 | LSU LSU Tigers football The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as... (1993) |
| Jim McElwain Jim McElwain Jim McElwain is an American football coach. He currently serves as offensive coordinator of the Alabama Crimson Tide. McElwain was hired on January 30, 2008, to succeed Major Applewhite.-Early life:... |
Offensive Coordinator Offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... , Quarterbacks Quarterbacks coach A quarterbacks coach is a coach in charge of the quarterbacks in gridiron football. The quarterbacks coach typically operates under the offensive coordinator on a team's coaching staff.... |
1 | Eastern Washington Eastern Washington Eagles football The Eastern Washington Eagles football team represents Eastern Washington University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision... (1984) |
| Joe Pendry Joe Pendry Joe Pendry is a former American football coach. From 1971 until 2010, he was an assistant coach or offensive coordinator for multiple teams in both the collegiate and professional ranks.... |
Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Line Offensive line coach The offensive line coach is a coaching position in gridiron football that is in charge of the offensive line. This role is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The offensive line coach serves the offense, which is led by the offensive coordinator.... |
2 | West Virginia West Virginia Mountaineers football The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their... (1969) |
| Kirby Smart Kirby Smart Kirby Smart is the defensive coordinator for the University of Alabama.-Playing career:The son of a coach himself, Smart started his football career playing High School ball with the Bainbridge High School Bearcats. He then moved on to play defensive back for the University of Georgia Bulldogs.... |
Defensive Coordinator Defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... , Linebackers Linebackers coach A linebackers coach is a position coach in charge of the linebackers in gridiron football. This role is common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The linebackers coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator and works with the players of the three linebacker... |
2 | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... (1999) |
| Kevin Steele Kevin Steele -External links:* *... |
Head Defensive Coach | 2 | Tennessee Tennessee Volunteers football The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference .... (1981) |
| Lance Thompson | Linebackers Linebackers coach A linebackers coach is a position coach in charge of the linebackers in gridiron football. This role is common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The linebackers coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator and works with the players of the three linebacker... |
2 | The Citadel (1987) |
| Bobby Williams Bobby Williams - External links :* at RollTide.com... |
Tight Ends Tight ends coach A tight ends coach is a coach in charge of the tight ends in American football. The tight ends coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator.... , Special Teams |
1 | Purdue Purdue Boilermakers football The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of... (1982) |
| Reference: | |||
Clemson
Sources:Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
and Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
announced they would open the 2008 season against each other in the inaugural Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
The Chick-fil-A College Kickoff is an annual college football game played on the opening weekend of the college football season in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome.- History :...
at the Georgia Dome
Georgia Dome
The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...
in Atlanta. With ESPN's
ESPN College Football
ESPN College Football is the branding used for broadcasts of NCAA Division I FBS college football across ESPN properties, including ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Classic, ESPNU, and ESPN Radio...
College GameDay in town, and Clemson
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, selected as the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
, the Crimson Tide upset
Upset
An upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
the Tigers 34–10 to open the season.
After opening the scoring on a 54-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal, Cory Reamer
Cory Reamer
Cory Reamer Cory Reamer Cory Reamer (born May 6, 1987 in Hoover, Alabama is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:...
forced a Jamie Harper fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recovered by Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower is an American football linebacker. He is currently attending the University of Alabama in his junior year. He was granted a medical redshirt after his original sophomore campaign was cut short by a knee injury in the fourth game of the season...
at the Clemson 31. The ensuing drive resulted in a 21-yard Tiffin field goal and a 6–0 lead. After holding the Tigers to a three and out, the Tide reached the end zone for the first time on the evening on a one-yard John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
run to extend the lead to 13–0. After Mark Buchholz hit a 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter, Alabama extended their lead to 20–3 after Wilson hit Nick Walker for a four-yard touchdown reception on the following drive. After a missed 52-yard Tiffin field goal, Marquis Johnson
Marquis Johnson
Marquis Adrian Johnson is an American football cornerback for the St. Louis Rams. He was drafted 211th overall in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft....
intercepted a Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper, Jr. is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft and has yet to sign a contract with a team. He played college football at Clemson....
pass on the next Clemson possession to set up a 34-yard Tiffin field goal as time expired to give Alabama a 23–3 halftime lead. Clemson opened the second half with C. J. Spiller
C. J. Spiller
Clifford "C.J." Spiller Jr. is an American Football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was an All-American at Clemson University and was drafted 9th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft...
returning the opening kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
96 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 23–10. Alabama responded later in the third quarter with a four-yard Wilson touchdown pass to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
in extending the lead to 31–10. Tiffin added the final points of the evening on a 26-yard field goal to cap a 14 play, 78 yard drive in bringing the final score to 34–10.
James Davis
James Davis (running back)
-Cleveland Browns:On September 12, Davis was involved in a minor one-car accident and suffered a head injury.He was briefly hospitalized and released a few hours later....
and C.J. Spiller, the duo known as "Thunder and Lightning," combined for only 20 yards on the ground, while the team's rushing total was 0. Clemson's redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
senior quarterback, Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper, Jr. is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft and has yet to sign a contract with a team. He played college football at Clemson....
, completed 20 of 34 passes but had no touchdowns and one interception. Alabama's John Parker Wilson completed 22 of 30 passes with no interceptions. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 12–3.
Tulane
Sources:Alabama's season home-opener saw the Crimson Tide defeat Tulane
Tulane Green Wave football
The Tulane Green Wave football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents Tulane University in New Orleans. The team is a member of Conference USA and is led by interim head coach Mark Hutson, who took over on October 18, 2011, when fifth-year head coach Bob Toledo resigned...
20–6, in the 41st meeting between the two teams and the first since 1994
1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team was one of a long line of Alabama Crimson Tide football teams; it represented the University of Alabama for the 1994–95 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference...
. Alabama received the opening kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
, but went three-and-out on their first possession. After the Bama defense stopped Tulane on their opening possession, Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
ignited the crowd on an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 7–0 lead. Later in the first quarter, Chris Rogers returned a blocked punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
17-yards for a touchdown, though freshman kicker Corey Smith missed the extra point
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
resulting in a 13–0 lead. Tulane scored the only points of the second quarter on a 35-yard Ross Thevenot field goal in bringing the halftime score to 13–3.
At the end of the third, Mark Ingram scored the lone offensive touchdown of the game on a 15-yard run and a 21-yard Thevenot field goal in the fourth brought the game to its final 20–6 margin. For the game, Javier Arenas set a school record with 147 yards on punt returns, eclipsing the previous mark of 141 yards set by Harry Gilmer
Harry Gilmer
Harry Vincent Gilmer, Jr. is a former American football halfback and quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.-Early life:...
against Georgia in 1947. For his performance, Arenas was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Green Wave to 27–11–3.
Western Kentucky
Sources:In week three, Alabama defeated the Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
(WKU) Hilltoppers
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football program is a college football team that represents Western Kentucky University. The team is currently a member of the Sun Belt Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
41–7, who were playing their second season in the FBS. The Bama defense held the Hilltoppers offense to a three-and-out on their first drive of the game. The Crimson Tide offense took over and completed a twelve-play drive that ended with a seven-yard touchdown run by Mark Ingram. WKU fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d on the first play of their subsequent drive, and Alabama recovered the ball on the WKU 17 yard line, setting up a 22-yard field goal by Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
. Ingram scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a five-yard run to give Alabama a 17–0 at the end of the first quarter. Alabama scored on their first possession of the second quarter on an eight-yard Terry Grant touchdown run to cap a 9-play, 78-yard drive. John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
threw an interception on the first play of the next drive. This set up the Hilltoppers' lone score of the afternoon on a 30-yard touchdown reception by Tristan Jones from David Wolke. Alabama put one more touchdown on the scoreboard on a two-yard Nick Walker reception from Wilson, to take a 31–7 lead into halftime.
On the first drive of the second half, the Bama offense was held to a 25-yard, Tiffin field goal, making the score 34–7. The defense held WKU to a three-and-out on their first possession of the second half. This set up a seven-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
. Alabama benched most of their starters at the end of the third quarter, and neither team scored in the fourth quarter, to make the final score of 41–7.
Arkansas
Sources:In what was head coach Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since the 2008 season...
's first game against Alabama, the Crimson Tide were victorious by a final score of 49–14 against the Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in Fayetteville
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
. The Tide received the opening kickoff, and put together a ten play, 71-yard drive with Mark Ingram scoring on a one-yard touchdown run. Arkansas was forced to punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
on their first drive, and on the first play of the subsequent Alabama drive, Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran 87 yards for the Tide's second touchdown and a 14–0 lead. In the final minute of the first quarter, Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
intercepted a Casey Dick
Casey Dick
Casey Dick is a former college football quarterback for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.- High school career :Dick played for Allen High School in Allen, Texas...
pass and returned it 63-yards for a touchdown to give Alabama a 21–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Arkansas started their next drive at their own 47 yard line after a 41-yard kickoff return
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
by Dennis Johnson, and drove 53-yards for a touchdown, scoring on fourth-and-one from the Bama twelve yard line on a Dick pass to Andrew Davie
Andrew Davie
Andrew Davie is a tight end who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. Davie played college football at the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. He joined the Razorbacks after playing four years of minor league baseball...
. Bama responded with a 68-yard drive capped off by a 25-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson to Julio Jones. Arkansas put together a steady drive on their next possession, but Justin Woodall
Justin Woodall
Justin Woodall is a pitcher for the Hudson Valley Renegades, a minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets but instead decided to go to the University of Alabama to play football. In his freshman year in 2006, he had six tackles, one pass...
intercepted Dick at the Bama 26 yard line and returned it 74-yards for a touchdown. Arkansas put together another solid drive, but facing a first and goal at the Bama one yard line, Arkansas was kept out by the stout Bama defense on a goal line stand to close out the half with Bama up 35–7.
Arkansas received the second half kickoff, but Alabama's Marquis Johnson
Marquis Johnson
Marquis Adrian Johnson is an American football cornerback for the St. Louis Rams. He was drafted 211th overall in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft....
intercepted Dick's pass on the first play of the second half, to set up a 31-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee. By the end of the third quarter, both teams had put in their substitutes. On Alabama's first possession of the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
's pass was intercepted by Ramon Broadway, setting up a 10-yard touchdown pass by Arkansas second string quarterback Tyler Wilson to Michael Smith. On the first play of Bama's next drive, Roy Upchurch ran 62-yards for Alabama's final touchdown to make the final score 49–14. The 49 points were the most points scored by Alabama in an SEC game since a 59–28 victory over Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
in 1990
1990 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1990 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1990 college football season. The Crimson Tide was led by first-year head coach Gene Stallings, replacing Bill Curry who left for the University of Kentucky....
. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 9–8 (12–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Georgia
Sources:With ESPN's College Gameday in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, and Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
wearing black jerseys for only the third time in school history, as the fans followed suit in a "blackout," the Crimson Tide upset
Upset
An upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
the Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
41–30. Georgia won the opening coin toss, deferring to receive in the second half. Alabama quickly took control of the game, moving the ball 73-yards before Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
ran for a 7-yard touchdown to make the score 7–0. After the Bulldogs failed to move the ball on their first drive, the Tide again put points on the board as Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
kicked a 23-yard field goal with 4:51 left in the first quarter, to give Alabama 10–0 lead.
After the Bulldogs offense again failed to move the ball, Alabama began a drive at the Georgia 48 yard line. Two plays later, a 31-yard pass from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
moved the ball inside of the Georgia five-yard line. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran in for his third touchdown of the season, and Alabama led 17–0. On Georgia's next drive, quarterback Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford
John Matthew Stafford is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Georgia....
completed a 16-yard pass to wide receiver A. J. Green
A. J. Green
Adriel Jeremiah "A. J." Green is an American football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was selected fourth overall by the Bengals in the 2011 NFL Draft...
, who fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d the ball which was subsequently fumbled and recovered by Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower is an American football linebacker. He is currently attending the University of Alabama in his junior year. He was granted a medical redshirt after his original sophomore campaign was cut short by a knee injury in the fourth game of the season...
. After a short drive, Roy Upchurch scored Alabama's third rushing touchdown to extend their lead to 24–0. Before the halftime break, Wilson connected with Julio Jones for a 22-yard touchdown pass as Alabama led 31–0 at half.
In the second half, Georgia's offense began moving the ball, scoring on their first drive of the half when Blair Walsh kicked a 33-yard field goal. On Alabama's sixth drive of the game, Georgia defense forced a three-and-out for the first time, forcing a P. J. Fitzgerald punt. Georgia again cut into the lead later in the third quarter when running back Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Rockwell Moreno is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was selected 12th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Broncos. He played college football at the University of Georgia.-Early years:Moreno grew up in Belford, a neighborhood in...
ran for a two-yard touchdown, to cap a 58-yard drive and cut Alabama's lead to 31–10. Georgia again reduced Alabama's lead when Prince Miller
Prince Miller
Prince Miller is an American football cornerback who is currently a player for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played college football at Georgia.-Early years:...
returned a Fitzgerald punt for a 92-yard touchdown. On the following drive, Alabama extended their lead to 34–17 on a 32-yard Leigh Tiffin field goal.
On a crucial drive in the fourth quarter, Alabama converted when Glen Coffee gave Alabama a 41–10 lead by scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run. The following drive, Georgia struck back when Matthew Stafford completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Michael Moore, though failed in an attempted two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
. Georgia got the ball back after a successful onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
, starting their drive at the Alabama 40-yard line. A. J. Green caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Stafford again for their final score of the game, as Alabama survived 41–30. With the victory, the Crimson Tide snapped a three-game losing streak to the Bulldogs, dating back to the 1995 season
1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1995–96 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. The team played their home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in...
. The 41 points were the most ever scored by the Tide against Georgia, and the victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 36–25–4.
Kentucky
Sources:The Crimson Tide entered their game against the Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats football
The Kentucky Wildcats football team is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference.-History:Paul "Bear" Bryant Era...
as the No. 2 ranked team in America, their highest ranking in fifteen years, and escaped with a 17–14 victory. After early stalled drives from each team, Alabama began their first successful drive with 12:25 left in the first quarter. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran ahead for a short, 3-yard gain, and on the next play, John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
connected with Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
for a 40-yard pass; however, the play was negated following a penalty. On the next play, Coffee rushed through the middle of the line for a 78-yard touchdown, his second longest and fifth rushing touchdown of the season. With under two minutes to go, Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline
Mike Hartline
Mike Hartline is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent Quarterback and most recently was a member of the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Kentucky.-Early...
fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d while attempting a pass, which Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
Rolando McClain
-Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years....
recovered and returned four yards for a touchdown. Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
missed the extra point, though after an offside penalty, he was given another attempt which he converted. After both offenses failed to score in the second quarter, Alabama took a 14–0 lead into the halftime break.
Halfway into the third quarter, Kentucky's offense finally got on the scoreboard when Hartline connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Dicky Lyons, Jr. Once more, both offenses were unable to move the ball for rest of the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Alabama began their second-to-last drive with 11:10 remaining, defending a 14–7 lead. The drive included twelve rushing attempts and a pass to Julio Jones, as Alabama moved the ball 81 yards in just over eight minutes. After a delay of game penalty, Leigh Tiffin connected on the game-winning, 24-yard field goal which gave Alabama a 17–7 lead. With 2:12 remaining, Hartline and the Kentucky offense again took the field. After a mix of successful and incomplete passes, Kentucky faced a 3rd-and-10 on the Crimson Tide 48 yard line. A 48-yard touchdown pass from Hartline to receiver DeMoreo Ford cut the Alabama lead to three. A failed onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
attempt ended Kentucky's hope for a comeback, as Alabama escaped with a 17–14 victory.
Despite the lack of offensive points, Alabama running back Glen Coffee rushed for a season-high 218 yards on 25 attempts, including a touchdown and two fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s. The 218 yards gained by Coffee was the most by an Alabama rusher since Shaun Alexander
Shaun Alexander
Shaun Edward Alexander is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- Early career :Alexander was born and...
in 1996
1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1996–97 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to a 10–3 record in his final year with the program...
. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Wildcats to 34–2–1.
Ole Miss
Sources:Playing after their first bye week
Bye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
of the season, Alabama returned to the field and defeated their long-time rival Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
Rebels
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
24–20. After several early failed drives in the opening quarter, Ole Miss became the first team to score on Alabama in the first quarter, as well as the first to have a lead against the Crimson Tide in 2008 after a successful 25-yard Joshua Shene field goal. The Crimson Tide responded on their next drive with a 26-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
to Marquis Maze
Marquis Maze
Tyran Marquis Maze is an American football wide receiver and return specialist currently playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He has played for the Crimson Tide from 2008 to 2011 and had over 1,000 receiving yards in the 2009 and 2010 seasons...
to take a 7–3 lead to end the first quarter. Ole Miss had limited offense in the second quarter as the Tide defense held a shutout for the remainder of the half. However, the offense scored 17 points coming on a 2-yard run from Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
, a 41-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
, and a 30-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Mike McCoy to take a 24–3 at halftime.
However, the second half was different as the Crimson Tide failed to score for the remainder of the game. Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt
Houston Nutt
Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
gambled on a 4th-and-goal with a fake field goal attempt, as Rob Park passed to Jason Cook for a 9-yard touchdown. Several minutes into the fourth quarter, Ole Miss again cut Alabama's lead to 24–17 after Jevan Snead
Jevan Snead
Jevan Bryce Snead is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent...
threw a 17-yard touchdown strike to Shay Hodge
Shay Hodge
Vareion Deshay "Shay" Hodge is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Ole Miss.-College career:Hodge was a 2009...
. Three minutes later, Shene hit a 35-yard field goal to cut Alabama's lead to 24–20. A stalled drive forced Alabama punter P. J. Fitzgerald to give the ball to the Rebels with 3:03 left. The Rebels moved the ball steadily down the field over the next two minutes, however turned it over on downs after a failed 4th-and-5 on Alabama's 43 yard line. The victory pushed Alabama to 6–0, giving them bowl eligibility, and was the team's fifth in a row over the Rebels and improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 42–9–2 (46–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Tennessee
Sources:In their annual rivalry game, Alabama met their rival to the north in the Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
and was victorious 29–9. Teams traded field goals in the first quarter with Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
converting from 39 and 43 yards for Alabama and Daniel Lincoln converting one from 31 yards for Tennessee to give the Tide a 6–3 at the end the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Crimson Tide offense moved down the field with Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
scoring on a three-yard touchdown run. With 2:41 remaining in the first half, the Volunteers started their final drive of the half at their own 22-yard line. The Tennessee offense quickly moved the ball down the field with several key Nick Stephens completions. A 5-yard procedure penalty on the offense set up a third-and-six on Alabama's 19-yard line. Stephens completed a pass to Lucas Taylor; however, it did not count as Taylor was flagged for offensive pass interference. After failing to gain enough yardage on third down, the Volunteers again attempted a field goal, and after a timeout in attempt to "ice the kicker
Icing the kicker
In the sport of American football or Canadian football, the art of icing the kicker or freezing the kicker is a tactic employed by defending teams to disrupt the process of kicking a field goal just prior to the snap. Typically, either a player or a coach on the defending team will call time out...
" by Nick Saban, Lincoln missed his second field goal of the game to give Alabama a 13–3 halftime lead.
The Tide quickly took control of the third quarter, forcing a three-and-out on Tennessee's first possession. Alabama answered with a 30-yard Tiffin field goal to extend their lead to 16–3. After another forced three-and-out, Alabama steadily moved the ball downfield before John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
rushed for a one-yard touchdown. However, the two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
was not successful and Alabama led 22–3. Early in the fourth quarter, Roy Upchurch sealed the Alabama victory with a four-yard touchdown run. A Josh Briscoe touchdown reception from Stephens cut into the lead, but the Tide stopped the two-point conversion, giving them a 29–9 victory. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 45–38–7 (47–37–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits). It was the final game of the rivalry for Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer
Phillip Fulmer
Phillip Fulmer is a TV college football analyst and the former head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, who compiled a 152–52 record from 1992–2008 as head coach, but was fired during a 5–7 season in 2008...
, who resigned 10 days later.
Arkansas State
Sources:Alabama faced the Arkansas State
Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University is a public university and is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System, the state's second largest college system and third largest university by enrollment. It is located atop on Crowley's Ridge at Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA...
Red Wolves
Arkansas State Red Wolves football
The Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represents Arkansas State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition. The team was originally founded in 1911, and, since 2001, Arkansas State has competed as a member of the...
for only the second time in school history, the first being a 34–7 victory in the 1982 season, and was victorious 35–0. The Crimson Tide offense got on the scoreboard first after a stalled Red Wolves opening drive. After the Crimson Tide offense drove 89-yards in just under eight minutes, Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran for a 9-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 7–0 lead. Both offenses failed to move the ball far down field, resulting in several punts and a Wilson interception by Red Wolves defensive back Dominique Williams. Midway through the fourth quarter, Alabama safety Rashad Johnson
Rashad Johnson
Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
intercepted a Corey Leonard pass and returned it for 32-yards and a touchdown to give the Tide a 14–0 at the half.
On Alabama's opening second half drive, Roy Upchurch ran for a 22-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 21–0 lead. Both offenses again stalled before Alabama's freshman running back Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
ran for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the Crimson Tide lead to 28–0. Midway through the fourth quarter, Ingram again scored on a 17-yard rush for the final score of the game. Ingram finished the game with 12 carries for 113 yards, including two touchdowns, and for his performance was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. The following day, the Crimson Tide achieved their first No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
since the 1980 season, and their first ever #1 BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
ranking.
LSU
Sources:Nick Saban returned to Tiger Stadium
Tiger Stadium (LSU)
Tiger Stadium is an outdoor stadium located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is best known as the home stadium of the Louisiana State University football team.Tiger Stadium opened with a capacity of 12,000 in 1924...
for the first time since his tenure as the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
head coach. Alabama entered the game as the No. 1 ranked team in all major polls, and defeated the LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
Tigers
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
27–21 in overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
. Alabama's offense quickly got the ball moving, as the team marched down to the LSU 26 yard line. John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
passed to Earl Alexander
Earl Alexander
Earl Alexander may refer to:*Earl Alexander of Tunis, a title created in 1952 for Harold Alexander, 1st Viscount Alexander of Tunis*Earl Alexander of Hillsborough , a title created in 1963 for A. V. Alexander, 1st Viscount Alexander of Hillsborough...
, who proceeded to pick up 25-yards before fumbling
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
out of the endzone, resulting in a touchback
Touchback
In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there. Responsibility is determined by which team gave the ball the impetus...
for the Tigers. On the first LSU possession, the Tigers ran three plays for a loss of seven yards before Alabama safety Rashad Johnson
Rashad Johnson
Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
intercepted Jarrett Lee, returning it to the LSU 15 yard line. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
moved the ball to the goal line, before John Parker Wilson dove into the endzone two plays later for a 7–0 lead. The Tigers came back to tie the game on their next drive as Jarrett Lee completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
. On the ensuing kickoff, Alabama's Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Josh Jasper
Josh Jasper
Joshua Norwood "Josh" Jasper is an American football placekicker.He set the Tennessee state record for career high school field goals, with 44, and his longest field goal was 54 yards. In 2010, he was a Consensus College All-American placekicker for the LSU Tigers in his senior year, after...
at the Tide's 30 yard line. After a Lee incomplete pass, running back Charles Scott
Charles Scott (American football)
Charles Edward Scott, Jr. is an American football running back and fullback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU....
scored on a 30-yard rush, giving LSU a 14–7 lead. After both offenses slowed down, Alabama tied the game after Rashad Johnson intercepted a pass, and returned it for 54-yards and a touchdown to tie the score at 14–14 at the half.
Early in the third quarter, Alabama regained the lead 21–14 on a three-yard Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
touchdown run. Both offenses again began to struggle, as Alabama punted on their next two possessions. Early in the first quarter, LSU put together a long possession which ran more than six minutes off the game clock. Charles Scott ran for his second touchdown of the game as the Tigers tied the game at 21–21 with 6:12 left on the clock. With 1:58 left in the game, Alabama received the ball on their own 41 yard line following another LSU punt. Glen Coffee and the offense steadily moved the ball downfield to the LSU eleven yard line. With several seconds left on the clock, Alabama lined up for a game-winning, 29-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
. However, Tiffin missed his second field goal of the game when Ricky Jean-Francois
Ricky Jean-Francois
Ricky Barkley Jean-Francois is a professional American football nose tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. He played collegiately at Louisiana State.-College career:...
blocked the field goal, sending the game into overtime.
Alabama won the overtime coin toss, choosing to play on defense first. On their first possession, Charles Scott of LSU ran for a 5-yard gain. Richard Murphy rushed for a loss of one on the following play, as Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
Rolando McClain
-Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years....
stopped him short of the line of scrimmage
Line of scrimmage
In American and Canadian football a line of scrimmage is an imaginary transverse line beyond which a team cannot cross until the next play has begun...
. On third down, Jarrett Lee threw his fourth interception of the game when Rashad Johnson again intercepted a pass. The interception ended LSU's first overtime possession, giving the ball to Alabama. The Tide offense came out throwing, as John Parker Wilson completed a 23-yard strike to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
, moving the ball to the two yard line of LSU. After a short rush by Glen Coffee, Wilson jumped over a pile of players to get his second rushing touchdown, and preserve Alabama's unblemished record. With the win, the Crimson Tide clinched the SEC West Division, and a spot in the 2008 SEC Championship Game
2008 SEC Championship Game
The 2008 Dr Pepper SEC Championship Game was played on December 6, 2008 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia to determine the 2008 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Gators were classified as the home team...
, and improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 44–23–5.
Mississippi State
Sources:A week after their overtime victory over LSU, Alabama returned home an defeated the Mississippi State
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
Bulldogs
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
32–7. Alabama took an early 2–0 lead after a Blake McAdams punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
was blocked by Kareem Jackson
Kareem Jackson
Kareem Jackson is a cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama, and high school football at Westside High School in Macon.-High school career:...
and recovered by State in their endzone for a safety on the Bulldogs' first offensive possession. After holding the Tide on the following series, State's Tyson Lee committed a fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
that was recovered by Brandon Fanney. The subsequent Alabama drive was capped with a 35-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal to give the Tide a 5–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs responded early in the second quarter and took a 7–5 lead after Tyson Lee hit Jamayel Smith
Jamayel Smith
Jamayel Ramir Smith is an American football wide receiver who is currently playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the New York Sentinels as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
for a 31-yard touchdown reception. Alabama retook the lead and would not relinquish it again late in the second after a one-yard John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
touchdown run.
After holding the Bulldogs on their opening possession of the second half, the Tide extended their lead to 19–7 when Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
returned a punt 80-yards for a touchdown. Tiffin added a pair of field goals from 34 and 35 yards out respectively before Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
scored the final points of the game on an one-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter and made the final score 32–7. In the game, Arenas broke both of Harry Gilmer
Harry Gilmer
Harry Vincent Gilmer, Jr. is a former American football halfback and quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.-Early life:...
's Alabama single game record for punt return yardage with 153 on six attempts, and the all-time record for punt return yardage in a career. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 72–18–3 (71–19–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Auburn
Sources:In the Iron Bowl
Iron Bowl
The Iron Bowl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports...
, the Crimson Tide snapped a six-game losing streak against the Auburn
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
Tigers
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
with a 36–0 victory. Alabama took a 3–0 lead at the end of the first quarter when Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
connected on a 37-yard field goal. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
extended their lead to 10–0 on a 41-yard touchdown run. At the end of the second quarter, Auburn's Morgan Hull appeared to connect on a 39-yard field goal. However, Alabama's Nick Saban called a time-out just before the play to negate the field goal in an attempt to ice the kicker
Icing the kicker
In the sport of American football or Canadian football, the art of icing the kicker or freezing the kicker is a tactic employed by defending teams to disrupt the process of kicking a field goal just prior to the snap. Typically, either a player or a coach on the defending team will call time out...
. On the re-kick, Bama's Bobby Greenwood blocked the field goal attempt to preserve a 10–0 Crimson Tide lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Alabama scored 19 points on a trio of touchdowns. The first came on a 39-yard Nikita Stover reception from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
, and after Tiffin's extra point
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
was blocked by Mike McNeil, Bama led 16–0. Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
scored the second an third touchdowns of the third on runs of one and fourteen yards. Up 29–0 going into the fourth quarter, Alabama pulled most of its starters late in the game. As such, the final points of the evening came on a 34-yard touchdown pass from back-up quarterback Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
to Marquis Maze
Marquis Maze
Tyran Marquis Maze is an American football wide receiver and return specialist currently playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He has played for the Crimson Tide from 2008 to 2011 and had over 1,000 receiving yards in the 2009 and 2010 seasons...
to make the final score 36–0.
The victory was Alabama's first win against the Tigers since 2001
2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama during 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. They began their season trying to improve upon a 3–8 record during the 2000 season. This was the team's 69th season in the SEC. This marked Dennis Franchiones first ...
and the first all-time victory over Auburn at Bryant–Denny Stadium. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 39–33–1.
Florida
Sources:In the 2008 edition of the SEC Championship Game
SEC Championship Game
The SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
, the Crimson Tide met the Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
Gators
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
for the sixth time, and lost 31–20. Florida took a 7–0 lead midway through the first quarter when Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow is an American football player who is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft...
threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Carl Moore. On the next possession, Alabama responded with a two play, 82-yard drive to tie the game at 7–7. The drive included a 64-yard pass play from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
and an 18-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
. The Tide then took a 10–7 lead late in the quarter after Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
connected on a 30-yard field goal. The Gators tied the game at 10–10 in the second quarter after Jonathan Phillips connected on a 19-yard field goal, and then Tebow hit David Nelson
David Nelson (American football)
David Alan Nelson is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . He was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Florida.-Early years:...
for a five-yard touchdown reception and a 17–10 at the half.
In the third, Alabama tied the game after Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
scored on a two-yard touchdown run, and took a 20–17 lead into the fourth quarter after a 27-yard Tiffin field goal with only 00:08 remaining in the third. The Gators responded with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to secure a 31–20 victory. The first came on an one-yard Jeffery Demps
Jeffery Demps
Jeffery Demps is an American football running back and sprinter. He attends the University of Florida in his senior year, where he is a member of Florida Gators football team as well as the men's track team...
run and the second on a five-yard Tebow pass to Riley Cooper. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Gators to 20–14 (21–14 without the NCAA vacation of the 2005 victory).
Utah
Sources:After falling to the eventual national champion Florida Gators in the SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide were selected with an at-large bid to play in the 2009 Sugar Bowl against the Mountain West Conference
Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
champion Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
Utes
Utah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
. With a number of distractions the week before the game, including the suspension of All-American left tackle Andre Smith, Alabama lost to the Utes 31–17. Utah took a commanding 21–0 lead in the first quarter and did not relinquish it for the remainder of the game. Utah scored first on a seven-yard Brent Casteel reception from Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson (quarterback)
Brian Delance Johnson is an American football quarterbacks coach for the University of Utah. He played college football at Utah and was drafted by the New York Sentinels in the UFL Premiere Season Draft in 2009....
, second on a two-yard Matt Asiata
Matt Asiata
Matt Asiata is a American football running back who is a currently a free agent. He went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, He played college football at Utah.-High school:...
run and third on an 18-yard Bradon Godfrey
Bradon Godfrey
Bradon Cache Godfrey is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
reception from Johnson. Alabama responded and cut the lead to 21–10 at the half after a 52-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal and a 73-yard Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
punt return for a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide brought the score to 21–17 early in the third when John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
threw a four-yard touchdown reception to Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
. However, Utah closed the game with ten unanswered points on a 28-yard David Reed
David Reed (American football)
-Baltimore Ravens:On December 13, 2010, against the Houston Texans, Reed scored his first NFL touchdown on a 103-yard kickoff return. The return set a new Ravens franchise record and his 233 kickoff return yards were also the second most in franchise history...
touchdown reception from Johnson and a 28-yard Louie Sakoda
Louie Sakoda
Louie Sakoda is a kicker and punter for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. In college, he played for the Utah Utes...
field goal to secure their 31–17 victory.
Rankings
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Wk 15 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | 24 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Coaches | NR | 17 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Harris | Not released | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| BCS | Not released | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||
Statistics
In their game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, running back Mark Ingram set an Alabama record for rushing touchdowns by a freshman. The previous record holder was Terry Grant, who set it in previous season2007 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2007 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season trying to improve from a disappointing 6–7 record in the 2006 season. The Tide was led by its new head coach Nick Saban, a former head coach of rival LSU. Despite a...
.
Team
| class="wikitable" style="white-space:nowrap; text-align:center;"> | Statistics | Alabama | Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoring | 422 | 200 | |
| Points per game | 30.1 | 14.3 | |
| First downs | 263 | 197 | |
| Rushing | 133 | 60 | |
| Passing | 112 | 120 | |
| Penalties | 18 | 17 | |
| Total offensive yards | 4,981 | 3,689 | |
| Rushing | 2,585 | 1,038 | |
| Passing | 2,396 | 2,651 | |
| Fumbles–Lost | 19–10 | 20–10 | |
| Penalties–Yards | 57–520 | 87–666 | |
| Average per game | 4.1–37.1 | 6.2–47.6 |
Extra Point
Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET...
–Att
Scores by quarter
Rushing
| Name | GP-GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Long | TD | Avg/G |
|---|
| 233 | 1,383 | 5.9 | 87 | 10 | 98.8 |
| 143 | 728 | 5.1 | 40 | 12 | 52.0 |
| 58 | 350 | 6.0 | 62 | 4 | 35.0 |
| 35 | 88 | 2.5 | 18 | 1 | 6.3 |
| 6 | 29 | 5.0 | 8 | 0 | 14.5 |
| 9 | 24 | 2.7 | 7 | 0 | 8.0 |
| 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 |
| 72 | −6 | −0.1 | 20 | 5 | ! colspan=8> |
| 10 | −13 | −1.3 | 0 | 0 | ! colspan=8> |
| 391 | 1,038 | 2.7 | 62 | 5 | 74.1 |
Passing
| Name | GP-GS | Effic | Cmp-Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Lng | Avg/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to... |
14–14 | 122.3 | 187–323 | 57.9 | 2,273 | 10 | 8 | 64 | 162.4 |
| Greg McElroy Greg McElroy Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.... |
6–0 | 178.5 | 8–11 | 72.7 | 123 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 20.5 |
| Total | 14 | 124.1 | 195–334 | 58.4 | 2,396 | 11 | 9 | 64 | 171.1 |
| Opponents | 14 | 106.7 | 246–467 | 52.7 | 2,651 | 18 | 15 | 51 | 189.4 |
Receiving
| Name | GP–GS | No. | Yards | Avg | TD | Long | Avg/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julio Jones Julio Jones Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide... |
14–14 | 58 | 924 | 15.9 | 4 | 64 | 66.0 |
| Nick Walker | 14–11 | 32 | 324 | 10.1 | 2 | 40 | 23.1 |
| Mike McCoy | 13–9 | 16 | 191 | 11.9 | 1 | 30 | 14.7 |
| Glen Coffee | 14–14 | 16 | 118 | 7.4 | 1 | 15 | 8.4 |
| Marquis Maze | 14–4 | 11 | 137 | 12.5 | 2 | 34 | 9.8 |
| Roy Upchruch | 10–0 | 9 | 101 | 11.2 | 0 | 29 | 10.1 |
| Earl Alexander | 12–0 | 8 | 121 | 15.1 | 0 | 27 | 10.1 |
| Darius Hanks | 8–0 | 8 | 88 | 11.0 | 0 | 18 | 11.0 |
| Brad Smelley | 8–0 | 7 | 98 | 14.0 | 0 | 37 | 12.2 |
| Mark Ingram | 14–0 | 7 | 54 | 7.7 | 0 | 27 | 3.9 |
| Travis McCall | 14–12 | 7 | 52 | 7.4 | 0 | 12 | 3.7 |
| Nikita Stover | 14–5 | 6 | 101 | 16.8 | 1 | 39 | 7.2 |
| Terry Grant | 14–0 | 4 | 36 | 9.0 | 0 | 22 | 2.6 |
| Will Oakley | 8–0 | 2 | 27 | 13.5 | 0 | 13 | 3.4 |
| B. J. Scott | 9–0 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 | 7 | 0.8 |
| Jeramie Griffin | 2–0 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 | 4.5 |
| Preston Dial | 12–1 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 | 0.7 |
| Total | 14 | 195 | 2,396 | 12.3 | 11 | 64 | 171.1 |
| Opponents | 14 | 246 | 2,651 | 10.8 | 18 | 51 | 189.4 |
Defense
| Name | |GP–GS | |Tackles | Sacks | |Pass Defense | Fumbles | Blkd | |Safety | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Total | Loss–Yds | No.–Yds | Int–Yds | BU | PD | Qbh | Rcv–Yds | FF | Kick | |||
| Rolando McClain Rolando McClain -Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years.... |
14–14 | 48 | 47 | 95 | 12.0–45 | 3.0–22 | 1–12 | 6 | 2 | 2–4 | ||||
| Rashad Johnson Rashad Johnson Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
14–14 | 60 | 29 | 89 | 5.0–15 | 1.0–7 | 5–125 | 11 | 7 | 1–0 | 1 | |||
| Brandon Fanney | 14–14 | 26 | 40 | 66 | 9.0–19 | 1.0–5 | 1 | 4 | 1–0 | |||||
| Dont'a Hightower Dont'a Hightower Dont'a Hightower is an American football linebacker. He is currently attending the University of Alabama in his junior year. He was granted a medical redshirt after his original sophomore campaign was cut short by a knee injury in the fourth game of the season... |
14–12 | 26 | 38 | 64 | 2.5–6 | 6 | 2–8 | 1 | ||||||
| Javier Arenas Javier Arenas (American football) Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League... |
14–14 | 44 | 19 | 63 | 3.5–24 | 2.0–21 | 1–63 | 7 | 4 | 4 | ||||
| Marquis Johnson | 14–3 | 32 | 17 | 49 | 1.0–4 | 2–7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |||||
| Justin Woodall | 14–14 | 33 | 14 | 47 | 1.5–4 | 4–99 | 8 | 7 | 2 | |||||
| Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson is a cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama, and high school football at Westside High School in Macon.-High school career:... |
14–14 | 28 | 16 | 44 | 1.0–4 | 1–5 | 10 | 3 | 1–9 | 1 | ||||
| Bobby Greenwood | 14–14 | 19 | 21 | 40 | 7.0–30 | 5.0–28 | 1 | 7 | 1–5 | 1 | ||||
| Brandon Deaderick Brandon Deaderick Brandon Augustus Deaderick is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Deaderick attended Elizabethtown High School... |
14–14 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 5.5–25 | 4.0–24 | 7 | |||||||
| Cory Reamer | 14–11 | 16 | 19 | 35 | 6.0–16 | 1.0–8 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Ali Sharrief | 14–2 | 20 | 11 | 31 | 2.5–7 | 5 | 1 | 4 | ||||||
| Eryk Anders | 14–0 | 14 | 10 | 24 | 4.5–26 | 2.5–22 | 1 | 7 | 2 | |||||
| Terrence Cody Terrence Cody Terrence Bernard Cody, Jr. is an American football nose tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was selected by the Ravens in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama, where he was given the nickname "Mount Cody" for his gargantuan,... |
12–12 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 4.5–14 | 0.5–5 | 2 | 2–0 | 1 | |||||
| Courtney Upshaw | 13–0 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 3.0–3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Mark Barron Mark Barron Mark Barron , nicknamed “Superman,” is an American football safety for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Barron is 6'2" tall and weighs approximately 215 pounds. He has been clocked running 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.... |
14–0 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 1.5–11 | 1.5–11 | ||||||||
| Prince Hall | 12–0 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 2.0–5 | 0.5–4 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Josh Chapman | 13–2 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 4.0–7 | 1 | ||||||||
| Tyrone King | 14–0 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| Lorenzo Washington | 14–0 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 2.5–12 | 1.0–10 | 5 | |||||||
| Chris Rogers | 14–0 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 1–-6 | 1 | ||||||||
| Luther Davis | 14–0 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 2.5–4 | 1 | ||||||||
| Leigh Tiffin Leigh Tiffin Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
14–0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Robby Green | 12–0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||
| Chris Jackson | 12–0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Charlie Higgenbotham | 14–0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1.0–8 | 1.0–8 | ||||||||
| Marcel Dareus | 8–0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
| Roy Upchurch | 10–0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Jerrell Harris | 10–0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Terry Grant | 14–0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Chris Jordan | 10–0 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||
| P.J. Fitzgerald | 14–0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Glen Coffee | 14–14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Milton Talbert | 4–0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Travis McCall | 14–12 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Julio Jones | 14–14 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Nick Walker | 14–11 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Mike Johnson | 14–14 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Marquis Maze | 14–4 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Chavis Williams | 5–0 | 1 | 1 | 1.0–9 | 1.0–9 | 1 | ||||||||
| Nick Gentry | 9–0 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| TEAM | 14–0 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 14 | 480 | 406 | 886 | 83–298 | 26–189 | 15–305 | 57 | 29 | 60 | 10–8 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Opponents | 14 | 508 | 538 | 1046 | 58–264 | 25–178 | 9–83 | 38 | 12 | 44 | 9–0 | 11 | 4 | 0 |
Kicking
| Name | |PAT Extra Point Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET... s | | | |Field Goals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made | Att | % | Made | Att | Long | % | ||
| Leigh Tiffin Leigh Tiffin Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
46 | 47 | 97.9 | 20 | 29 | 54 | 69.0 | |
| Corey Smith | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 46 | 48 | 95.8 | 20 | 30 | 54 | 66.7 | |
Punting
| Name | No. | Yds | Avg | Long | TB | FC | In20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P. J. Fitzgerald | 59 | 2,427 | 41.1 | 56 | 4 | 16 | 15 | |
| TEAM | 2 | 33 | 16.5 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 61 | 2,460 | 40.3 | 56 | 4 | 16 | 15 | |
The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") represented the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC) and its 17th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
, in his second year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama . Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with a population of 90,468 in 2010...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. They finished with an undefeated 12–0 regular season, their first since 1994
1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team was one of a long line of Alabama Crimson Tide football teams; it represented the University of Alabama for the 1994–95 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference...
, and won their first SEC Western Division Championship since 1999
1999 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1999 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1999 college football season. The team was led by head coach Mike DuBose, who was in his third season with the program...
. They finished the season with a record of 12–2 (8–0 in the SEC) after losses to Florida
2008 Florida Gators football team
The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season...
in the SEC Championship Game
2008 SEC Championship Game
The 2008 Dr Pepper SEC Championship Game was played on December 6, 2008 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia to determine the 2008 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Gators were classified as the home team...
and to Utah
2008 Utah Utes football team
The 2008 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by 4th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, plays its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium...
in the Sugar Bowl
2009 Sugar Bowl
The 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 75th annual edition of the annual college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–09 bowl season of the Bowl Championship Series 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
.
In Week 10 of the season, Alabama became the No. 1 team in both the AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and Coaches' Polls as well as the Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
(BCS) standings. It was the first time the Crimson Tide has been ranked No. 1 in the regular season since November 1, 1980, when the top-ranked Tide fell to Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
. It was also the first time Nick Saban had ever achieved the No. 1 position in the AP Poll and the first time in school history Alabama had reached No. 1 in the BCS standings. With their 27–21 overtime win over LSU
2008 LSU Tigers football team
The 2008 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Les Miles who entered his fourth year at the helm of LSU Football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
, Alabama clinched a berth in the SEC Championship Game
SEC Championship Game
The SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
. The Crimson Tide finished their regular season undefeated with a 36–0 shutout victory over Auburn
2008 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2008 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Tommy Tuberville served his tenth season as head coach at Auburn...
in the Iron Bowl
Iron Bowl
The Iron Bowl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports...
. However, the Tide went on to lose to Florida 31–20 in the SEC Championship Game. A month later, the Tide finished the season with a 31–17 loss in the Sugar Bowl against Utah.
Before the season
During the 2007–2008 campaign, the Crimson Tide completed a 6–6 regular season record with their most notable wins coming over No. 16 Arkansas2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2007–2008 football season. The Razorbacks played six home games at Donald W...
and longtime rival Tennessee
2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2007–2008. They won the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference before falling to the eventual national champion LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship Game...
. The Tide went on to win their final game against Colorado
2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team
The 2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Dan Hawkins in his second season at Colorado and played their home games at Folsom Field. Colorado finished 6-7 after losing in the...
(30–24) in the Independence Bowl
2007 Independence Bowl
The 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2007–08 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 30, 2007 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Colorado Buffaloes, from...
to finish with a 7–6 record. In June 2009, the NCAA Committee on Infractions sanctioned Alabama for "major violations" of NCAA policies as a result of athletes who received improper benefits in 16 of 19 NCAA sports, including football. As part of the penalties imposed, the football program was forced to vacate five victories from the 2007 season making the official 2007 record 2–6.
In February 2008, Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to both Rivals and Scout. Spring practice began on March 13 and concluded with the annual A-Day spring game on April 12. Before a crowd of 78,200, the Crimson team defeated the White team by a score of 24–14 in Bryant–Denny Stadium. For their performances, Alfred McCullough earned the Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Eugene Stephenson is a former American football offensive lineman and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 1998...
Lineman of the A-Day Game Award and Terry Grant earned the Dixie Howell
Dixie Howell
-External links:...
Memorial Most Valuable Player of the A-Day Game Award.
Returning starters
Alabama had 18 returning starters from the previous season, including nine on offense, five on defense, and all of the special teams. The most notable departures from the previous year were D. J. HallD. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
and Justin Britt
Justin Britt
Justin Britt is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-External links:**...
on offense and Wallace Gilberry
Wallace Gilberry
Wallace Gilberry is an American football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-High school:Gilberry played his prep football at Baldwin County High...
, Darren Mustin, Keith Saunders
Keith Saunders
Keith Saunders is an American and Canadian football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, Ezekial Knight, Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille is an American football cornerback who is currently playing for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and Marcus Carter on defense.
Offense
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to... |
Senior | Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
| Terry Grant | Sophomore | Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
| Mike McCoy | Junior | Wide receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
| Travis McCall | Senior | Tight end Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... |
| Nick Walker | Senior | Tight end |
| Antoine Caldwell Antoine Caldwell Antoine Caldwell is an American football player from Montgomery, Alabama. He is currently a center for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was selected by the Texans in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
Senior | Center Center (American football) Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense... |
| Marlon Davis Marlon Davis Marlon Davis is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Alabama.... |
Senior | Offensive tackle |
| Andre Smith | Junior | Offensive tackle |
| Mike Johnson Mike Johnson (offensive lineman) Michael P. Johnson is an American football offensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson was one of three Crimson Tide offensive linemen to earn 2008 All-American honors, alongside Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell... |
Junior | Offensive guard |
Defense
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Deaderick Brandon Deaderick Brandon Augustus Deaderick is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Deaderick attended Elizabethtown High School... |
Junior | Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
| Lorenzo Washington Lorenzo Washington Lorenzo Washington is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
Junior | Nose tackle |
| Rolando McClain Rolando McClain -Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years.... |
Sophomore | Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
| Rashad Johnson Rashad Johnson Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
Senior | Safety Safety Safety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be... |
| Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson is a cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama, and high school football at Westside High School in Macon.-High school career:... |
Sophomore | Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Special teams
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| P.J. Fitzgerald | Junior | Punter |
| Leigh Tiffin Leigh Tiffin Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
Junior | Placekicker Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... |
| Javier Arenas Javier Arenas (American football) Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League... |
Junior | Return specialist Return specialist A Return Specialist is a player on American football or Canadian football special teams who specializes in returning punts and kickoff returns. There are few players who are exclusively return specialists; most play other positions as well. The special teams counterpart of a return specialist is a... |
| Brian Selman | Junior | Long snapper Long snapper In American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible.... |
Recruiting class
Alabama's recruiting class was highlighted by seven players from the "ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
150": No. 2 Julio Jones (WR); No. 19 Burton Scott (ATH); No. 30 Courtney Upshaw (DE); No. 33 Tyler Love (OT); No. 99 Jerrell Harris (LB); No. 109 Mark Ingram, Jr. (RB); and No. 144 Chris Jackson (ATH). Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to both Rivals and Scout.
Schedule
The SagarinJeff Sagarin
Jeff Sagarin is an American sports statistician well-known for his development of a methodology for ranking and rating sports teams in a variety of sports...
computer ratings calculated Alabama's strength of schedule
Strength of schedule
In sports, strength of schedule refers to the difficulty or ease of a team's/person's opponent as compared to other teams/persons. This is especially important if teams in a league do not play each other the same number of times.-Computation:...
to be the sixth most difficult out of the 245 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the eighth most difficult out of the 120 Division I FBS teams in its rankings. Alabama's 2008 schedule was officially released on January 4, 2008. It featured six pre-season AP Top 25
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
teams, five of which were ranked in the top 10, eight of which made bowl games in 2007.
In accordance with conference rules, Alabama faced all five Western Division opponents: Arkansas
2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2008 football season. The Razorbacks played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and one home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas...
, Auburn
2008 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2008 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Tommy Tuberville served his tenth season as head coach at Auburn...
, LSU
2008 LSU Tigers football team
The 2008 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Les Miles who entered his fourth year at the helm of LSU Football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
, Mississippi State
2008 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
The 2008 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University during the 2008 college football season. The team's head coach was Sylvester Croom. The Bulldogs played their six home games in 2008 at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Mississippi...
, and Ole Miss
2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team
The 2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2008 college football season. The team's head coach was Houston Nutt, who served his first season in the position and replaced Ed Orgeron, who was fired after accumulating a 10–25 record at Ole Miss from...
. They also faced three Eastern Division opponents: official SEC rival
Third Saturday in October
The Third Saturday in October, also known as the Alabama–Tennessee football rivalry, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Tennessee Volunteers football team of the University of Tennessee...
Tennessee
2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team was coached by head football coach Phillip Fulmer, in his 16th and final season as head coach. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed...
, Georgia
2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team
The 2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed in American football on behalf of the University of Georgia in 2008. The Bulldogs competed in the East Division of the Southeastern Conference . This was the Georgia Bulldogs' eighth season under the guidance of head coach Mark Richt...
, and Kentucky
2008 Kentucky Wildcats football team
The 2008 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head coach was Rich Brooks, who served his sixth year in the position...
. Alabama did not play SEC opponents South Carolina
2008 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
The 2008 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head football coach was Steve Spurrier, who served his fourth season at USC...
and Vanderbilt
2008 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
The 2008 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2008–09 college football season. The team's head coach was Bobby Johnson, who served his seventh season in the position...
. Although not on the regular season schedule, Bama met Florida
2008 Florida Gators football team
The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season...
in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama also played four non-conference games. The non-conference schedule included games against Clemson
2008 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2008 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 college football season. The Tigers were led by oft-maligned head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney...
of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
, Tulane
2008 Tulane Green Wave football team
The 2008 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Tulane competed as a member of the Conference USA....
of Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
and both Western Kentucky
2008 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team
The 2008 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky University during the 2008 college football season. The team's head coach was David Elson. WKU competed as an Independent team in 2008 before their move to the Sun Belt Conference in 2009. The Hilltoppers played their...
and Arkansas State
2008 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team
The 2008 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represents Arkansas State University in the 2008 college football season. The Red Wolves played five home games at ASU Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas, including Southern Miss, Middle Tennessee, and Florida Atlantic. The Red Wolves had a difficult...
of the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
. For the 2009 Sugar Bowl
2009 Sugar Bowl
The 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 75th annual edition of the annual college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–09 bowl season of the Bowl Championship Series 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
, Alabama played Utah
2008 Utah Utes football team
The 2008 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by 4th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, plays its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium...
.
- Source: Rolltide.com All-time Football Results: 2008 Season
Depth chart
Coaching staff
Prior to the 2008 season, Alabama made several changes to its coaching staff. Alabama lost their tight ends and special teams coach, Ron Middleton, on January 4, 2008, when he was hired as assistant head coach for DukeDuke Blue Devils football
The Duke Blue Devils football program is a college football team that represents Duke University . The team is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference , which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Blue Devils compete in the Coastal...
and their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Major Applewhite
Major Applewhite
Major Lee Applewhite is the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach for the University of Texas. Prior to Texas, Applewhite served as offensive coordinator at Rice University under Todd Graham in 2006, and at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban in 2007...
, on January 16, 2008, when he was hired as running backs coach for Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
. During the following weeks, Saban named former Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
head coach Bobby Williams as his team's new as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, and Jim McElwain from Fresno State
Fresno State Bulldogs football
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they...
as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
| Name | Position | Seasons at Alabama | Alma Mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Saban Nick Saban Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo... |
Head coach Head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches... |
2 | Kent State Kent State Golden Flashes football The Kent State Golden Flashes football team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, USA. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference East division, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Football Bowl Subdivision... (1973) |
| Burton Burns | Associate Head Coach, Running Backs Running backs coach A running backs coach is a coach in charge of the running backs in gridiron football. The running backs coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator.... |
2 | Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers football The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A... (1976) |
| Curt Cignetti Curt Cignetti Curt Cignetti is an American football coach who is currently the head coach for the IUP Crimson Hawks of NCAA Division II, a position previously held by his father Frank Cignetti, Sr.-Playing career:... |
Receivers Wide receivers coach A wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator.... , Recruiting Coordinator |
2 | West Virginia West Virginia Mountaineers football The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their... (1983) |
| Bo Davis | Defensive Line Defensive Line Coach A defensive line coach is a coach that is in charge of the defensive line in gridiron football. This position is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The defensive line coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator. A defensive line coach works primarily... |
2 | LSU LSU Tigers football The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as... (1993) |
| Jim McElwain Jim McElwain Jim McElwain is an American football coach. He currently serves as offensive coordinator of the Alabama Crimson Tide. McElwain was hired on January 30, 2008, to succeed Major Applewhite.-Early life:... |
Offensive Coordinator Offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... , Quarterbacks Quarterbacks coach A quarterbacks coach is a coach in charge of the quarterbacks in gridiron football. The quarterbacks coach typically operates under the offensive coordinator on a team's coaching staff.... |
1 | Eastern Washington Eastern Washington Eagles football The Eastern Washington Eagles football team represents Eastern Washington University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision... (1984) |
| Joe Pendry Joe Pendry Joe Pendry is a former American football coach. From 1971 until 2010, he was an assistant coach or offensive coordinator for multiple teams in both the collegiate and professional ranks.... |
Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Line Offensive line coach The offensive line coach is a coaching position in gridiron football that is in charge of the offensive line. This role is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The offensive line coach serves the offense, which is led by the offensive coordinator.... |
2 | West Virginia West Virginia Mountaineers football The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their... (1969) |
| Kirby Smart Kirby Smart Kirby Smart is the defensive coordinator for the University of Alabama.-Playing career:The son of a coach himself, Smart started his football career playing High School ball with the Bainbridge High School Bearcats. He then moved on to play defensive back for the University of Georgia Bulldogs.... |
Defensive Coordinator Defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... , Linebackers Linebackers coach A linebackers coach is a position coach in charge of the linebackers in gridiron football. This role is common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The linebackers coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator and works with the players of the three linebacker... |
2 | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... (1999) |
| Kevin Steele Kevin Steele -External links:* *... |
Head Defensive Coach | 2 | Tennessee Tennessee Volunteers football The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference .... (1981) |
| Lance Thompson | Linebackers Linebackers coach A linebackers coach is a position coach in charge of the linebackers in gridiron football. This role is common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The linebackers coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator and works with the players of the three linebacker... |
2 | The Citadel (1987) |
| Bobby Williams Bobby Williams - External links :* at RollTide.com... |
Tight Ends Tight ends coach A tight ends coach is a coach in charge of the tight ends in American football. The tight ends coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator.... , Special Teams |
1 | Purdue Purdue Boilermakers football The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of... (1982) |
| Reference: | |||
Clemson
Sources:Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
and Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
announced they would open the 2008 season against each other in the inaugural Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
The Chick-fil-A College Kickoff is an annual college football game played on the opening weekend of the college football season in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome.- History :...
at the Georgia Dome
Georgia Dome
The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...
in Atlanta. With ESPN's
ESPN College Football
ESPN College Football is the branding used for broadcasts of NCAA Division I FBS college football across ESPN properties, including ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Classic, ESPNU, and ESPN Radio...
College GameDay in town, and Clemson
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, selected as the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
, the Crimson Tide upset
Upset
An upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
the Tigers 34–10 to open the season.
After opening the scoring on a 54-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal, Cory Reamer
Cory Reamer
Cory Reamer Cory Reamer Cory Reamer (born May 6, 1987 in Hoover, Alabama is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:...
forced a Jamie Harper fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recovered by Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower is an American football linebacker. He is currently attending the University of Alabama in his junior year. He was granted a medical redshirt after his original sophomore campaign was cut short by a knee injury in the fourth game of the season...
at the Clemson 31. The ensuing drive resulted in a 21-yard Tiffin field goal and a 6–0 lead. After holding the Tigers to a three and out, the Tide reached the end zone for the first time on the evening on a one-yard John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
run to extend the lead to 13–0. After Mark Buchholz hit a 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter, Alabama extended their lead to 20–3 after Wilson hit Nick Walker for a four-yard touchdown reception on the following drive. After a missed 52-yard Tiffin field goal, Marquis Johnson
Marquis Johnson
Marquis Adrian Johnson is an American football cornerback for the St. Louis Rams. He was drafted 211th overall in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft....
intercepted a Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper, Jr. is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft and has yet to sign a contract with a team. He played college football at Clemson....
pass on the next Clemson possession to set up a 34-yard Tiffin field goal as time expired to give Alabama a 23–3 halftime lead. Clemson opened the second half with C. J. Spiller
C. J. Spiller
Clifford "C.J." Spiller Jr. is an American Football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was an All-American at Clemson University and was drafted 9th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft...
returning the opening kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
96 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 23–10. Alabama responded later in the third quarter with a four-yard Wilson touchdown pass to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
in extending the lead to 31–10. Tiffin added the final points of the evening on a 26-yard field goal to cap a 14 play, 78 yard drive in bringing the final score to 34–10.
James Davis
James Davis (running back)
-Cleveland Browns:On September 12, Davis was involved in a minor one-car accident and suffered a head injury.He was briefly hospitalized and released a few hours later....
and C.J. Spiller, the duo known as "Thunder and Lightning," combined for only 20 yards on the ground, while the team's rushing total was 0. Clemson's redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
senior quarterback, Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper
Cullen Harper, Jr. is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft and has yet to sign a contract with a team. He played college football at Clemson....
, completed 20 of 34 passes but had no touchdowns and one interception. Alabama's John Parker Wilson completed 22 of 30 passes with no interceptions. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 12–3.
Tulane
Sources:Alabama's season home-opener saw the Crimson Tide defeat Tulane
Tulane Green Wave football
The Tulane Green Wave football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents Tulane University in New Orleans. The team is a member of Conference USA and is led by interim head coach Mark Hutson, who took over on October 18, 2011, when fifth-year head coach Bob Toledo resigned...
20–6, in the 41st meeting between the two teams and the first since 1994
1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1994 Alabama Crimson Tide football team was one of a long line of Alabama Crimson Tide football teams; it represented the University of Alabama for the 1994–95 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference...
. Alabama received the opening kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
, but went three-and-out on their first possession. After the Bama defense stopped Tulane on their opening possession, Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
ignited the crowd on an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 7–0 lead. Later in the first quarter, Chris Rogers returned a blocked punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
17-yards for a touchdown, though freshman kicker Corey Smith missed the extra point
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
resulting in a 13–0 lead. Tulane scored the only points of the second quarter on a 35-yard Ross Thevenot field goal in bringing the halftime score to 13–3.
At the end of the third, Mark Ingram scored the lone offensive touchdown of the game on a 15-yard run and a 21-yard Thevenot field goal in the fourth brought the game to its final 20–6 margin. For the game, Javier Arenas set a school record with 147 yards on punt returns, eclipsing the previous mark of 141 yards set by Harry Gilmer
Harry Gilmer
Harry Vincent Gilmer, Jr. is a former American football halfback and quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.-Early life:...
against Georgia in 1947. For his performance, Arenas was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Green Wave to 27–11–3.
Western Kentucky
Sources:In week three, Alabama defeated the Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
(WKU) Hilltoppers
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football program is a college football team that represents Western Kentucky University. The team is currently a member of the Sun Belt Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
41–7, who were playing their second season in the FBS. The Bama defense held the Hilltoppers offense to a three-and-out on their first drive of the game. The Crimson Tide offense took over and completed a twelve-play drive that ended with a seven-yard touchdown run by Mark Ingram. WKU fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d on the first play of their subsequent drive, and Alabama recovered the ball on the WKU 17 yard line, setting up a 22-yard field goal by Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
. Ingram scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a five-yard run to give Alabama a 17–0 at the end of the first quarter. Alabama scored on their first possession of the second quarter on an eight-yard Terry Grant touchdown run to cap a 9-play, 78-yard drive. John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
threw an interception on the first play of the next drive. This set up the Hilltoppers' lone score of the afternoon on a 30-yard touchdown reception by Tristan Jones from David Wolke. Alabama put one more touchdown on the scoreboard on a two-yard Nick Walker reception from Wilson, to take a 31–7 lead into halftime.
On the first drive of the second half, the Bama offense was held to a 25-yard, Tiffin field goal, making the score 34–7. The defense held WKU to a three-and-out on their first possession of the second half. This set up a seven-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
. Alabama benched most of their starters at the end of the third quarter, and neither team scored in the fourth quarter, to make the final score of 41–7.
Arkansas
Sources:In what was head coach Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since the 2008 season...
's first game against Alabama, the Crimson Tide were victorious by a final score of 49–14 against the Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in Fayetteville
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
. The Tide received the opening kickoff, and put together a ten play, 71-yard drive with Mark Ingram scoring on a one-yard touchdown run. Arkansas was forced to punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
on their first drive, and on the first play of the subsequent Alabama drive, Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran 87 yards for the Tide's second touchdown and a 14–0 lead. In the final minute of the first quarter, Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
intercepted a Casey Dick
Casey Dick
Casey Dick is a former college football quarterback for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.- High school career :Dick played for Allen High School in Allen, Texas...
pass and returned it 63-yards for a touchdown to give Alabama a 21–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Arkansas started their next drive at their own 47 yard line after a 41-yard kickoff return
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
by Dennis Johnson, and drove 53-yards for a touchdown, scoring on fourth-and-one from the Bama twelve yard line on a Dick pass to Andrew Davie
Andrew Davie
Andrew Davie is a tight end who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. Davie played college football at the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. He joined the Razorbacks after playing four years of minor league baseball...
. Bama responded with a 68-yard drive capped off by a 25-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson to Julio Jones. Arkansas put together a steady drive on their next possession, but Justin Woodall
Justin Woodall
Justin Woodall is a pitcher for the Hudson Valley Renegades, a minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets but instead decided to go to the University of Alabama to play football. In his freshman year in 2006, he had six tackles, one pass...
intercepted Dick at the Bama 26 yard line and returned it 74-yards for a touchdown. Arkansas put together another solid drive, but facing a first and goal at the Bama one yard line, Arkansas was kept out by the stout Bama defense on a goal line stand to close out the half with Bama up 35–7.
Arkansas received the second half kickoff, but Alabama's Marquis Johnson
Marquis Johnson
Marquis Adrian Johnson is an American football cornerback for the St. Louis Rams. He was drafted 211th overall in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft....
intercepted Dick's pass on the first play of the second half, to set up a 31-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee. By the end of the third quarter, both teams had put in their substitutes. On Alabama's first possession of the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
's pass was intercepted by Ramon Broadway, setting up a 10-yard touchdown pass by Arkansas second string quarterback Tyler Wilson to Michael Smith. On the first play of Bama's next drive, Roy Upchurch ran 62-yards for Alabama's final touchdown to make the final score 49–14. The 49 points were the most points scored by Alabama in an SEC game since a 59–28 victory over Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
in 1990
1990 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1990 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1990 college football season. The Crimson Tide was led by first-year head coach Gene Stallings, replacing Bill Curry who left for the University of Kentucky....
. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 9–8 (12–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Georgia
Sources:With ESPN's College Gameday in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, and Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
wearing black jerseys for only the third time in school history, as the fans followed suit in a "blackout," the Crimson Tide upset
Upset
An upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
the Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
41–30. Georgia won the opening coin toss, deferring to receive in the second half. Alabama quickly took control of the game, moving the ball 73-yards before Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
ran for a 7-yard touchdown to make the score 7–0. After the Bulldogs failed to move the ball on their first drive, the Tide again put points on the board as Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
kicked a 23-yard field goal with 4:51 left in the first quarter, to give Alabama 10–0 lead.
After the Bulldogs offense again failed to move the ball, Alabama began a drive at the Georgia 48 yard line. Two plays later, a 31-yard pass from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
moved the ball inside of the Georgia five-yard line. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran in for his third touchdown of the season, and Alabama led 17–0. On Georgia's next drive, quarterback Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford
John Matthew Stafford is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Georgia....
completed a 16-yard pass to wide receiver A. J. Green
A. J. Green
Adriel Jeremiah "A. J." Green is an American football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was selected fourth overall by the Bengals in the 2011 NFL Draft...
, who fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d the ball which was subsequently fumbled and recovered by Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower is an American football linebacker. He is currently attending the University of Alabama in his junior year. He was granted a medical redshirt after his original sophomore campaign was cut short by a knee injury in the fourth game of the season...
. After a short drive, Roy Upchurch scored Alabama's third rushing touchdown to extend their lead to 24–0. Before the halftime break, Wilson connected with Julio Jones for a 22-yard touchdown pass as Alabama led 31–0 at half.
In the second half, Georgia's offense began moving the ball, scoring on their first drive of the half when Blair Walsh kicked a 33-yard field goal. On Alabama's sixth drive of the game, Georgia defense forced a three-and-out for the first time, forcing a P. J. Fitzgerald punt. Georgia again cut into the lead later in the third quarter when running back Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Rockwell Moreno is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was selected 12th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Broncos. He played college football at the University of Georgia.-Early years:Moreno grew up in Belford, a neighborhood in...
ran for a two-yard touchdown, to cap a 58-yard drive and cut Alabama's lead to 31–10. Georgia again reduced Alabama's lead when Prince Miller
Prince Miller
Prince Miller is an American football cornerback who is currently a player for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played college football at Georgia.-Early years:...
returned a Fitzgerald punt for a 92-yard touchdown. On the following drive, Alabama extended their lead to 34–17 on a 32-yard Leigh Tiffin field goal.
On a crucial drive in the fourth quarter, Alabama converted when Glen Coffee gave Alabama a 41–10 lead by scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run. The following drive, Georgia struck back when Matthew Stafford completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Michael Moore, though failed in an attempted two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
. Georgia got the ball back after a successful onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
, starting their drive at the Alabama 40-yard line. A. J. Green caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Stafford again for their final score of the game, as Alabama survived 41–30. With the victory, the Crimson Tide snapped a three-game losing streak to the Bulldogs, dating back to the 1995 season
1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1995–96 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. The team played their home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in...
. The 41 points were the most ever scored by the Tide against Georgia, and the victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 36–25–4.
Kentucky
Sources:The Crimson Tide entered their game against the Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats football
The Kentucky Wildcats football team is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference.-History:Paul "Bear" Bryant Era...
as the No. 2 ranked team in America, their highest ranking in fifteen years, and escaped with a 17–14 victory. After early stalled drives from each team, Alabama began their first successful drive with 12:25 left in the first quarter. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran ahead for a short, 3-yard gain, and on the next play, John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
connected with Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
for a 40-yard pass; however, the play was negated following a penalty. On the next play, Coffee rushed through the middle of the line for a 78-yard touchdown, his second longest and fifth rushing touchdown of the season. With under two minutes to go, Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline
Mike Hartline
Mike Hartline is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent Quarterback and most recently was a member of the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Kentucky.-Early...
fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d while attempting a pass, which Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
Rolando McClain
-Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years....
recovered and returned four yards for a touchdown. Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
missed the extra point, though after an offside penalty, he was given another attempt which he converted. After both offenses failed to score in the second quarter, Alabama took a 14–0 lead into the halftime break.
Halfway into the third quarter, Kentucky's offense finally got on the scoreboard when Hartline connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Dicky Lyons, Jr. Once more, both offenses were unable to move the ball for rest of the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Alabama began their second-to-last drive with 11:10 remaining, defending a 14–7 lead. The drive included twelve rushing attempts and a pass to Julio Jones, as Alabama moved the ball 81 yards in just over eight minutes. After a delay of game penalty, Leigh Tiffin connected on the game-winning, 24-yard field goal which gave Alabama a 17–7 lead. With 2:12 remaining, Hartline and the Kentucky offense again took the field. After a mix of successful and incomplete passes, Kentucky faced a 3rd-and-10 on the Crimson Tide 48 yard line. A 48-yard touchdown pass from Hartline to receiver DeMoreo Ford cut the Alabama lead to three. A failed onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
attempt ended Kentucky's hope for a comeback, as Alabama escaped with a 17–14 victory.
Despite the lack of offensive points, Alabama running back Glen Coffee rushed for a season-high 218 yards on 25 attempts, including a touchdown and two fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s. The 218 yards gained by Coffee was the most by an Alabama rusher since Shaun Alexander
Shaun Alexander
Shaun Edward Alexander is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- Early career :Alexander was born and...
in 1996
1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1996–97 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to a 10–3 record in his final year with the program...
. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Wildcats to 34–2–1.
Ole Miss
Sources:Playing after their first bye week
Bye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
of the season, Alabama returned to the field and defeated their long-time rival Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
Rebels
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
24–20. After several early failed drives in the opening quarter, Ole Miss became the first team to score on Alabama in the first quarter, as well as the first to have a lead against the Crimson Tide in 2008 after a successful 25-yard Joshua Shene field goal. The Crimson Tide responded on their next drive with a 26-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
to Marquis Maze
Marquis Maze
Tyran Marquis Maze is an American football wide receiver and return specialist currently playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He has played for the Crimson Tide from 2008 to 2011 and had over 1,000 receiving yards in the 2009 and 2010 seasons...
to take a 7–3 lead to end the first quarter. Ole Miss had limited offense in the second quarter as the Tide defense held a shutout for the remainder of the half. However, the offense scored 17 points coming on a 2-yard run from Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
, a 41-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
, and a 30-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Mike McCoy to take a 24–3 at halftime.
However, the second half was different as the Crimson Tide failed to score for the remainder of the game. Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt
Houston Nutt
Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
gambled on a 4th-and-goal with a fake field goal attempt, as Rob Park passed to Jason Cook for a 9-yard touchdown. Several minutes into the fourth quarter, Ole Miss again cut Alabama's lead to 24–17 after Jevan Snead
Jevan Snead
Jevan Bryce Snead is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent...
threw a 17-yard touchdown strike to Shay Hodge
Shay Hodge
Vareion Deshay "Shay" Hodge is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Ole Miss.-College career:Hodge was a 2009...
. Three minutes later, Shene hit a 35-yard field goal to cut Alabama's lead to 24–20. A stalled drive forced Alabama punter P. J. Fitzgerald to give the ball to the Rebels with 3:03 left. The Rebels moved the ball steadily down the field over the next two minutes, however turned it over on downs after a failed 4th-and-5 on Alabama's 43 yard line. The victory pushed Alabama to 6–0, giving them bowl eligibility, and was the team's fifth in a row over the Rebels and improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 42–9–2 (46–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Tennessee
Sources:In their annual rivalry game, Alabama met their rival to the north in the Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
and was victorious 29–9. Teams traded field goals in the first quarter with Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
converting from 39 and 43 yards for Alabama and Daniel Lincoln converting one from 31 yards for Tennessee to give the Tide a 6–3 at the end the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Crimson Tide offense moved down the field with Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
scoring on a three-yard touchdown run. With 2:41 remaining in the first half, the Volunteers started their final drive of the half at their own 22-yard line. The Tennessee offense quickly moved the ball down the field with several key Nick Stephens completions. A 5-yard procedure penalty on the offense set up a third-and-six on Alabama's 19-yard line. Stephens completed a pass to Lucas Taylor; however, it did not count as Taylor was flagged for offensive pass interference. After failing to gain enough yardage on third down, the Volunteers again attempted a field goal, and after a timeout in attempt to "ice the kicker
Icing the kicker
In the sport of American football or Canadian football, the art of icing the kicker or freezing the kicker is a tactic employed by defending teams to disrupt the process of kicking a field goal just prior to the snap. Typically, either a player or a coach on the defending team will call time out...
" by Nick Saban, Lincoln missed his second field goal of the game to give Alabama a 13–3 halftime lead.
The Tide quickly took control of the third quarter, forcing a three-and-out on Tennessee's first possession. Alabama answered with a 30-yard Tiffin field goal to extend their lead to 16–3. After another forced three-and-out, Alabama steadily moved the ball downfield before John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
rushed for a one-yard touchdown. However, the two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
was not successful and Alabama led 22–3. Early in the fourth quarter, Roy Upchurch sealed the Alabama victory with a four-yard touchdown run. A Josh Briscoe touchdown reception from Stephens cut into the lead, but the Tide stopped the two-point conversion, giving them a 29–9 victory. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 45–38–7 (47–37–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits). It was the final game of the rivalry for Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer
Phillip Fulmer
Phillip Fulmer is a TV college football analyst and the former head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, who compiled a 152–52 record from 1992–2008 as head coach, but was fired during a 5–7 season in 2008...
, who resigned 10 days later.
Arkansas State
Sources:Alabama faced the Arkansas State
Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University is a public university and is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System, the state's second largest college system and third largest university by enrollment. It is located atop on Crowley's Ridge at Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA...
Red Wolves
Arkansas State Red Wolves football
The Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represents Arkansas State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition. The team was originally founded in 1911, and, since 2001, Arkansas State has competed as a member of the...
for only the second time in school history, the first being a 34–7 victory in the 1982 season, and was victorious 35–0. The Crimson Tide offense got on the scoreboard first after a stalled Red Wolves opening drive. After the Crimson Tide offense drove 89-yards in just under eight minutes, Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
ran for a 9-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 7–0 lead. Both offenses failed to move the ball far down field, resulting in several punts and a Wilson interception by Red Wolves defensive back Dominique Williams. Midway through the fourth quarter, Alabama safety Rashad Johnson
Rashad Johnson
Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
intercepted a Corey Leonard pass and returned it for 32-yards and a touchdown to give the Tide a 14–0 at the half.
On Alabama's opening second half drive, Roy Upchurch ran for a 22-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 21–0 lead. Both offenses again stalled before Alabama's freshman running back Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
ran for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the Crimson Tide lead to 28–0. Midway through the fourth quarter, Ingram again scored on a 17-yard rush for the final score of the game. Ingram finished the game with 12 carries for 113 yards, including two touchdowns, and for his performance was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. The following day, the Crimson Tide achieved their first No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
since the 1980 season, and their first ever #1 BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
ranking.
LSU
Sources:Nick Saban returned to Tiger Stadium
Tiger Stadium (LSU)
Tiger Stadium is an outdoor stadium located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is best known as the home stadium of the Louisiana State University football team.Tiger Stadium opened with a capacity of 12,000 in 1924...
for the first time since his tenure as the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
head coach. Alabama entered the game as the No. 1 ranked team in all major polls, and defeated the LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
Tigers
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
27–21 in overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
. Alabama's offense quickly got the ball moving, as the team marched down to the LSU 26 yard line. John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
passed to Earl Alexander
Earl Alexander
Earl Alexander may refer to:*Earl Alexander of Tunis, a title created in 1952 for Harold Alexander, 1st Viscount Alexander of Tunis*Earl Alexander of Hillsborough , a title created in 1963 for A. V. Alexander, 1st Viscount Alexander of Hillsborough...
, who proceeded to pick up 25-yards before fumbling
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
out of the endzone, resulting in a touchback
Touchback
In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there. Responsibility is determined by which team gave the ball the impetus...
for the Tigers. On the first LSU possession, the Tigers ran three plays for a loss of seven yards before Alabama safety Rashad Johnson
Rashad Johnson
Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
intercepted Jarrett Lee, returning it to the LSU 15 yard line. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
moved the ball to the goal line, before John Parker Wilson dove into the endzone two plays later for a 7–0 lead. The Tigers came back to tie the game on their next drive as Jarrett Lee completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
. On the ensuing kickoff, Alabama's Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Josh Jasper
Josh Jasper
Joshua Norwood "Josh" Jasper is an American football placekicker.He set the Tennessee state record for career high school field goals, with 44, and his longest field goal was 54 yards. In 2010, he was a Consensus College All-American placekicker for the LSU Tigers in his senior year, after...
at the Tide's 30 yard line. After a Lee incomplete pass, running back Charles Scott
Charles Scott (American football)
Charles Edward Scott, Jr. is an American football running back and fullback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU....
scored on a 30-yard rush, giving LSU a 14–7 lead. After both offenses slowed down, Alabama tied the game after Rashad Johnson intercepted a pass, and returned it for 54-yards and a touchdown to tie the score at 14–14 at the half.
Early in the third quarter, Alabama regained the lead 21–14 on a three-yard Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
touchdown run. Both offenses again began to struggle, as Alabama punted on their next two possessions. Early in the first quarter, LSU put together a long possession which ran more than six minutes off the game clock. Charles Scott ran for his second touchdown of the game as the Tigers tied the game at 21–21 with 6:12 left on the clock. With 1:58 left in the game, Alabama received the ball on their own 41 yard line following another LSU punt. Glen Coffee and the offense steadily moved the ball downfield to the LSU eleven yard line. With several seconds left on the clock, Alabama lined up for a game-winning, 29-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
. However, Tiffin missed his second field goal of the game when Ricky Jean-Francois
Ricky Jean-Francois
Ricky Barkley Jean-Francois is a professional American football nose tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. He played collegiately at Louisiana State.-College career:...
blocked the field goal, sending the game into overtime.
Alabama won the overtime coin toss, choosing to play on defense first. On their first possession, Charles Scott of LSU ran for a 5-yard gain. Richard Murphy rushed for a loss of one on the following play, as Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
Rolando McClain
-Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years....
stopped him short of the line of scrimmage
Line of scrimmage
In American and Canadian football a line of scrimmage is an imaginary transverse line beyond which a team cannot cross until the next play has begun...
. On third down, Jarrett Lee threw his fourth interception of the game when Rashad Johnson again intercepted a pass. The interception ended LSU's first overtime possession, giving the ball to Alabama. The Tide offense came out throwing, as John Parker Wilson completed a 23-yard strike to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
, moving the ball to the two yard line of LSU. After a short rush by Glen Coffee, Wilson jumped over a pile of players to get his second rushing touchdown, and preserve Alabama's unblemished record. With the win, the Crimson Tide clinched the SEC West Division, and a spot in the 2008 SEC Championship Game
2008 SEC Championship Game
The 2008 Dr Pepper SEC Championship Game was played on December 6, 2008 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia to determine the 2008 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Gators were classified as the home team...
, and improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 44–23–5.
Mississippi State
Sources:A week after their overtime victory over LSU, Alabama returned home an defeated the Mississippi State
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
Bulldogs
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
32–7. Alabama took an early 2–0 lead after a Blake McAdams punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
was blocked by Kareem Jackson
Kareem Jackson
Kareem Jackson is a cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama, and high school football at Westside High School in Macon.-High school career:...
and recovered by State in their endzone for a safety on the Bulldogs' first offensive possession. After holding the Tide on the following series, State's Tyson Lee committed a fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
that was recovered by Brandon Fanney. The subsequent Alabama drive was capped with a 35-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal to give the Tide a 5–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs responded early in the second quarter and took a 7–5 lead after Tyson Lee hit Jamayel Smith
Jamayel Smith
Jamayel Ramir Smith is an American football wide receiver who is currently playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the New York Sentinels as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
for a 31-yard touchdown reception. Alabama retook the lead and would not relinquish it again late in the second after a one-yard John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
touchdown run.
After holding the Bulldogs on their opening possession of the second half, the Tide extended their lead to 19–7 when Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
returned a punt 80-yards for a touchdown. Tiffin added a pair of field goals from 34 and 35 yards out respectively before Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
scored the final points of the game on an one-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter and made the final score 32–7. In the game, Arenas broke both of Harry Gilmer
Harry Gilmer
Harry Vincent Gilmer, Jr. is a former American football halfback and quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.-Early life:...
's Alabama single game record for punt return yardage with 153 on six attempts, and the all-time record for punt return yardage in a career. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 72–18–3 (71–19–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Auburn
Sources:In the Iron Bowl
Iron Bowl
The Iron Bowl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports...
, the Crimson Tide snapped a six-game losing streak against the Auburn
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
Tigers
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
with a 36–0 victory. Alabama took a 3–0 lead at the end of the first quarter when Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
connected on a 37-yard field goal. Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
extended their lead to 10–0 on a 41-yard touchdown run. At the end of the second quarter, Auburn's Morgan Hull appeared to connect on a 39-yard field goal. However, Alabama's Nick Saban called a time-out just before the play to negate the field goal in an attempt to ice the kicker
Icing the kicker
In the sport of American football or Canadian football, the art of icing the kicker or freezing the kicker is a tactic employed by defending teams to disrupt the process of kicking a field goal just prior to the snap. Typically, either a player or a coach on the defending team will call time out...
. On the re-kick, Bama's Bobby Greenwood blocked the field goal attempt to preserve a 10–0 Crimson Tide lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Alabama scored 19 points on a trio of touchdowns. The first came on a 39-yard Nikita Stover reception from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
, and after Tiffin's extra point
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
was blocked by Mike McNeil, Bama led 16–0. Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
scored the second an third touchdowns of the third on runs of one and fourteen yards. Up 29–0 going into the fourth quarter, Alabama pulled most of its starters late in the game. As such, the final points of the evening came on a 34-yard touchdown pass from back-up quarterback Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
to Marquis Maze
Marquis Maze
Tyran Marquis Maze is an American football wide receiver and return specialist currently playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He has played for the Crimson Tide from 2008 to 2011 and had over 1,000 receiving yards in the 2009 and 2010 seasons...
to make the final score 36–0.
The victory was Alabama's first win against the Tigers since 2001
2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama during 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. They began their season trying to improve upon a 3–8 record during the 2000 season. This was the team's 69th season in the SEC. This marked Dennis Franchiones first ...
and the first all-time victory over Auburn at Bryant–Denny Stadium. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 39–33–1.
Florida
Sources:In the 2008 edition of the SEC Championship Game
SEC Championship Game
The SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
, the Crimson Tide met the Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
Gators
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
for the sixth time, and lost 31–20. Florida took a 7–0 lead midway through the first quarter when Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow is an American football player who is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft...
threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Carl Moore. On the next possession, Alabama responded with a two play, 82-yard drive to tie the game at 7–7. The drive included a 64-yard pass play from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
to Julio Jones
Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
and an 18-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
. The Tide then took a 10–7 lead late in the quarter after Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
connected on a 30-yard field goal. The Gators tied the game at 10–10 in the second quarter after Jonathan Phillips connected on a 19-yard field goal, and then Tebow hit David Nelson
David Nelson (American football)
David Alan Nelson is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . He was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Florida.-Early years:...
for a five-yard touchdown reception and a 17–10 at the half.
In the third, Alabama tied the game after Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
scored on a two-yard touchdown run, and took a 20–17 lead into the fourth quarter after a 27-yard Tiffin field goal with only 00:08 remaining in the third. The Gators responded with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to secure a 31–20 victory. The first came on an one-yard Jeffery Demps
Jeffery Demps
Jeffery Demps is an American football running back and sprinter. He attends the University of Florida in his senior year, where he is a member of Florida Gators football team as well as the men's track team...
run and the second on a five-yard Tebow pass to Riley Cooper. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Gators to 20–14 (21–14 without the NCAA vacation of the 2005 victory).
Utah
Sources:After falling to the eventual national champion Florida Gators in the SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide were selected with an at-large bid to play in the 2009 Sugar Bowl against the Mountain West Conference
Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
champion Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
Utes
Utah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
. With a number of distractions the week before the game, including the suspension of All-American left tackle Andre Smith, Alabama lost to the Utes 31–17. Utah took a commanding 21–0 lead in the first quarter and did not relinquish it for the remainder of the game. Utah scored first on a seven-yard Brent Casteel reception from Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson (quarterback)
Brian Delance Johnson is an American football quarterbacks coach for the University of Utah. He played college football at Utah and was drafted by the New York Sentinels in the UFL Premiere Season Draft in 2009....
, second on a two-yard Matt Asiata
Matt Asiata
Matt Asiata is a American football running back who is a currently a free agent. He went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, He played college football at Utah.-High school:...
run and third on an 18-yard Bradon Godfrey
Bradon Godfrey
Bradon Cache Godfrey is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
reception from Johnson. Alabama responded and cut the lead to 21–10 at the half after a 52-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal and a 73-yard Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
punt return for a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide brought the score to 21–17 early in the third when John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
threw a four-yard touchdown reception to Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
. However, Utah closed the game with ten unanswered points on a 28-yard David Reed
David Reed (American football)
-Baltimore Ravens:On December 13, 2010, against the Houston Texans, Reed scored his first NFL touchdown on a 103-yard kickoff return. The return set a new Ravens franchise record and his 233 kickoff return yards were also the second most in franchise history...
touchdown reception from Johnson and a 28-yard Louie Sakoda
Louie Sakoda
Louie Sakoda is a kicker and punter for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. In college, he played for the Utah Utes...
field goal to secure their 31–17 victory.
Rankings
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Wk 15 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | 24 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Coaches | NR | 17 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Harris | Not released | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| BCS | Not released | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||
Statistics
In their game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, running back Mark Ingram set an Alabama record for rushing touchdowns by a freshman. The previous record holder was Terry Grant, who set it in previous season2007 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2007 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season trying to improve from a disappointing 6–7 record in the 2006 season. The Tide was led by its new head coach Nick Saban, a former head coach of rival LSU. Despite a...
.
Team
| class="wikitable" style="white-space:nowrap; text-align:center;"> | Statistics | Alabama | Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoring | 422 | 200 | |
| Points per game | 30.1 | 14.3 | |
| First downs | 263 | 197 | |
| Rushing | 133 | 60 | |
| Passing | 112 | 120 | |
| Penalties | 18 | 17 | |
| Total offensive yards | 4,981 | 3,689 | |
| Rushing | 2,585 | 1,038 | |
| Passing | 2,396 | 2,651 | |
| Fumbles–Lost | 19–10 | 20–10 | |
| Penalties–Yards | 57–520 | 87–666 | |
| Average per game | 4.1–37.1 | 6.2–47.6 |
Extra Point
Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET...
–Att
Scores by quarter
Rushing
| Name | GP-GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Long | TD | Avg/G |
|---|
| 233 | 1,383 | 5.9 | 87 | 10 | 98.8 |
| 143 | 728 | 5.1 | 40 | 12 | 52.0 |
| 58 | 350 | 6.0 | 62 | 4 | 35.0 |
| 35 | 88 | 2.5 | 18 | 1 | 6.3 |
| 6 | 29 | 5.0 | 8 | 0 | 14.5 |
| 9 | 24 | 2.7 | 7 | 0 | 8.0 |
| 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 |
| 72 | −6 | −0.1 | 20 | 5 | ! colspan=8> |
| 10 | −13 | −1.3 | 0 | 0 | ! colspan=8> |
| 391 | 1,038 | 2.7 | 62 | 5 | 74.1 |
Passing
| Name | GP-GS | Effic | Cmp-Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Lng | Avg/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to... |
14–14 | 122.3 | 187–323 | 57.9 | 2,273 | 10 | 8 | 64 | 162.4 |
| Greg McElroy Greg McElroy Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.... |
6–0 | 178.5 | 8–11 | 72.7 | 123 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 20.5 |
| Total | 14 | 124.1 | 195–334 | 58.4 | 2,396 | 11 | 9 | 64 | 171.1 |
| Opponents | 14 | 106.7 | 246–467 | 52.7 | 2,651 | 18 | 15 | 51 | 189.4 |
Receiving
| Name | GP–GS | No. | Yards | Avg | TD | Long | Avg/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julio Jones Julio Jones Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide... |
14–14 | 58 | 924 | 15.9 | 4 | 64 | 66.0 |
| Nick Walker | 14–11 | 32 | 324 | 10.1 | 2 | 40 | 23.1 |
| Mike McCoy | 13–9 | 16 | 191 | 11.9 | 1 | 30 | 14.7 |
| Glen Coffee | 14–14 | 16 | 118 | 7.4 | 1 | 15 | 8.4 |
| Marquis Maze | 14–4 | 11 | 137 | 12.5 | 2 | 34 | 9.8 |
| Roy Upchruch | 10–0 | 9 | 101 | 11.2 | 0 | 29 | 10.1 |
| Earl Alexander | 12–0 | 8 | 121 | 15.1 | 0 | 27 | 10.1 |
| Darius Hanks | 8–0 | 8 | 88 | 11.0 | 0 | 18 | 11.0 |
| Brad Smelley | 8–0 | 7 | 98 | 14.0 | 0 | 37 | 12.2 |
| Mark Ingram | 14–0 | 7 | 54 | 7.7 | 0 | 27 | 3.9 |
| Travis McCall | 14–12 | 7 | 52 | 7.4 | 0 | 12 | 3.7 |
| Nikita Stover | 14–5 | 6 | 101 | 16.8 | 1 | 39 | 7.2 |
| Terry Grant | 14–0 | 4 | 36 | 9.0 | 0 | 22 | 2.6 |
| Will Oakley | 8–0 | 2 | 27 | 13.5 | 0 | 13 | 3.4 |
| B. J. Scott | 9–0 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 | 7 | 0.8 |
| Jeramie Griffin | 2–0 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 | 4.5 |
| Preston Dial | 12–1 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 | 0.7 |
| Total | 14 | 195 | 2,396 | 12.3 | 11 | 64 | 171.1 |
| Opponents | 14 | 246 | 2,651 | 10.8 | 18 | 51 | 189.4 |
Defense
| Name | |GP–GS | |Tackles | Sacks | |Pass Defense | Fumbles | Blkd | |Safety | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Total | Loss–Yds | No.–Yds | Int–Yds | BU | PD | Qbh | Rcv–Yds | FF | Kick | |||
| Rolando McClain Rolando McClain -Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years.... |
14–14 | 48 | 47 | 95 | 12.0–45 | 3.0–22 | 1–12 | 6 | 2 | 2–4 | ||||
| Rashad Johnson Rashad Johnson Julian Rashad Johnson is an American American football player. He is currently a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
14–14 | 60 | 29 | 89 | 5.0–15 | 1.0–7 | 5–125 | 11 | 7 | 1–0 | 1 | |||
| Brandon Fanney | 14–14 | 26 | 40 | 66 | 9.0–19 | 1.0–5 | 1 | 4 | 1–0 | |||||
| Dont'a Hightower Dont'a Hightower Dont'a Hightower is an American football linebacker. He is currently attending the University of Alabama in his junior year. He was granted a medical redshirt after his original sophomore campaign was cut short by a knee injury in the fourth game of the season... |
14–12 | 26 | 38 | 64 | 2.5–6 | 6 | 2–8 | 1 | ||||||
| Javier Arenas Javier Arenas (American football) Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League... |
14–14 | 44 | 19 | 63 | 3.5–24 | 2.0–21 | 1–63 | 7 | 4 | 4 | ||||
| Marquis Johnson | 14–3 | 32 | 17 | 49 | 1.0–4 | 2–7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |||||
| Justin Woodall | 14–14 | 33 | 14 | 47 | 1.5–4 | 4–99 | 8 | 7 | 2 | |||||
| Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson Kareem Jackson is a cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Alabama, and high school football at Westside High School in Macon.-High school career:... |
14–14 | 28 | 16 | 44 | 1.0–4 | 1–5 | 10 | 3 | 1–9 | 1 | ||||
| Bobby Greenwood | 14–14 | 19 | 21 | 40 | 7.0–30 | 5.0–28 | 1 | 7 | 1–5 | 1 | ||||
| Brandon Deaderick Brandon Deaderick Brandon Augustus Deaderick is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Deaderick attended Elizabethtown High School... |
14–14 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 5.5–25 | 4.0–24 | 7 | |||||||
| Cory Reamer | 14–11 | 16 | 19 | 35 | 6.0–16 | 1.0–8 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Ali Sharrief | 14–2 | 20 | 11 | 31 | 2.5–7 | 5 | 1 | 4 | ||||||
| Eryk Anders | 14–0 | 14 | 10 | 24 | 4.5–26 | 2.5–22 | 1 | 7 | 2 | |||||
| Terrence Cody Terrence Cody Terrence Bernard Cody, Jr. is an American football nose tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was selected by the Ravens in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama, where he was given the nickname "Mount Cody" for his gargantuan,... |
12–12 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 4.5–14 | 0.5–5 | 2 | 2–0 | 1 | |||||
| Courtney Upshaw | 13–0 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 3.0–3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Mark Barron Mark Barron Mark Barron , nicknamed “Superman,” is an American football safety for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Barron is 6'2" tall and weighs approximately 215 pounds. He has been clocked running 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.... |
14–0 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 1.5–11 | 1.5–11 | ||||||||
| Prince Hall | 12–0 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 2.0–5 | 0.5–4 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Josh Chapman | 13–2 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 4.0–7 | 1 | ||||||||
| Tyrone King | 14–0 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| Lorenzo Washington | 14–0 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 2.5–12 | 1.0–10 | 5 | |||||||
| Chris Rogers | 14–0 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 1–-6 | 1 | ||||||||
| Luther Davis | 14–0 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 2.5–4 | 1 | ||||||||
| Leigh Tiffin Leigh Tiffin Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
14–0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Robby Green | 12–0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||
| Chris Jackson | 12–0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Charlie Higgenbotham | 14–0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1.0–8 | 1.0–8 | ||||||||
| Marcel Dareus | 8–0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
| Roy Upchurch | 10–0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Jerrell Harris | 10–0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Terry Grant | 14–0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Chris Jordan | 10–0 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||
| P.J. Fitzgerald | 14–0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Glen Coffee | 14–14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Milton Talbert | 4–0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Travis McCall | 14–12 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Julio Jones | 14–14 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Nick Walker | 14–11 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Mike Johnson | 14–14 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Marquis Maze | 14–4 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Chavis Williams | 5–0 | 1 | 1 | 1.0–9 | 1.0–9 | 1 | ||||||||
| Nick Gentry | 9–0 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| TEAM | 14–0 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 14 | 480 | 406 | 886 | 83–298 | 26–189 | 15–305 | 57 | 29 | 60 | 10–8 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Opponents | 14 | 508 | 538 | 1046 | 58–264 | 25–178 | 9–83 | 38 | 12 | 44 | 9–0 | 11 | 4 | 0 |
Kicking
| Name | |PAT Extra Point Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET... s | | | |Field Goals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made | Att | % | Made | Att | Long | % | ||
| Leigh Tiffin Leigh Tiffin Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010... |
46 | 47 | 97.9 | 20 | 29 | 54 | 69.0 | |
| Corey Smith | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 46 | 48 | 95.8 | 20 | 30 | 54 | 66.7 | |
Punting
| Name | No. | Yds | Avg | Long | TB | FC | In20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P. J. Fitzgerald | 59 | 2,427 | 41.1 | 56 | 4 | 16 | 15 | |
| TEAM | 2 | 33 | 16.5 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 61 | 2,460 | 40.3 | 56 | 4 | 16 | 15 | |
Returns
| Name | |Punt Returns | | | |Kickoff Returns | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | No. | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | ||
| Javier Arenas | 41 | 650 | 15.9 | 3 | 87 | 26 | 614 | 23.6 | 0 | 41 | |
| Julio Jones Julio Jones Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide... |
2 | 11 | 5.5 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 21 | 21.0 | 0 | 21 | |
| Marquis Maze | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 19 | 19.0 | 0 | 19 | |
| Kareem Jackson | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 | — | |||||
| Roy Upchurch | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 6 | — | |||||
| Mark Barron | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | — | |||||
| Marquis Johnson | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | — | |||||
| Chris Rogers | 0 | 17 | 17.0 | 1 | 17 | — | |||||
| Mike McCoy | — | 5 | 60 | 12.0 | 0 | 23 | |||||
| Terry Grant | — | 3 | 52 | 17.3 | 0 | 18 | |||||
| Mark Ingram | — | 1 | 26 | 26.0 | 0 | 26 | |||||
| Baron Huber | — | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 0 | 15 | |||||
| Travis McCall | — | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 | |||||
| TEAM | — | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 49 | 701 | 14.3 | 4 | 87 | 40 | 816 | 20.4 | 0 | 41 | |
| Opponents | 27 | 242 | 9.0 | 1 | 92 | 81 | 1,765 | 21.8 | 1 | 96 | |
After the season
In the week following the Sugar Bowl loss, several changes were made to the Alabama coaching staff. Alabama lost their defensive head coach, Kevin SteeleKevin Steele
-External links:* *...
, on January 10, 2009, when he was hired as defensive coordinator for Clemson
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, and their linebacker coach Lance Thompson on January 16, when he was hired as linebacker coach by Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
. The following week, Saban named Sal Sunseri
Sal Sunseri
- External links :* at Rivals.com* at panthers.com...
from the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
as his team's new assistant head and linebacker coach, and James Willis from Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
as the new associate head and linebacker coach. As part of the A-Day celebrations on April 18, the 2008 team captains John Parker Wilson, Rashad Johnson and Antoine Caldwell were honored at the Walk of Fame ceremony at the base of Denny Chimes
Denny Chimes
The Denny Chimes is a tall campanile equipped with a 25-bell carillon, located on the south side of The Quad of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama U.S.A.. The tower was named in honor of former University president George H. Denny, who served from 1912 to 1936 and again in 1941...
.
Conference
Following the victory in the SEC Championship Game, the conference named its award winners. Nick Saban was named SEC Coach of the Year and Julio Jones was named SEC Freshman of the Year. Andre Smith, Rashad Johnson, Antoine Caldwell, Glen Coffee, Terrence Cody and Rolando McClain were named to the AP All-SEC First Team. Mike Johnson, Julio Jones and Javier Arenas were named to the AP All-SEC Second Team. Five players were named to the Coaches' All-SEC First Team, including Caldwell, Cody, Rashad Johnson, McClain and Andre Smith. Arenas (as both a cornerback and kick returner), Coffee, Mike Johnson and Jones were named to the Coaches' All-SEC Second Team. Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Dont'a Hightower and John Michael Boswell were named to the 2008 Freshman All-SEC Team.National
After the season, a number of Alabama players were named as national award winners and finalists. Andre Smith became Alabama's second Outland TrophyOutland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
winner as the best interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. Smith was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award
Lombardi Award
The Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
and Antoine Caldwell was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy. Nick Saban captured several coach of the year awards that included: the AP Coach of the Year
Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year Award
The Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year Award is an award that is given annually since 1998 to NCAA college football's national coach of the year. The award is voted on by the Associated Press voters that participate in the weekly college football AP Poll. The current award holder...
, the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
The Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the Football Writers Association of America. The award honors Eddie Robinson, former coach at Grambling State who holds the second best record for most Division I wins with 408 behind only Joe...
, the Home Depot Coach of the Year, the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award
Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award
The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award is an annual college football award given to the a head coach from each NCAA division. The award honors coaches who succeed on and off the field, displaying sportsmanship, integrity, responsibility, and excellence....
, the Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year
Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year
The Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year Award is an award that is given annually to NCAA college football's national coach of the year. The Sporting News established the award beginning in 1963...
and the Walter Camp Coach of the Year
Walter Camp Coach of the Year
The Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football head coach adjudged by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football...
.
In addition to the individual awards, several players were also named to various national All-American Teams
2008 College Football All-America Team
The 2008 College Football All-America Team is composed of the following All-American first teams: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly, ESPN, CBS Sports,...
. Andre Smith, Antoine Caldwell and Terrence Cody were named to the AP All-American First Team; Rashad Johnson was named to the AP All-American Second Team; and Rolando McClain was named to the AP All-American Third Team. Andre Smith was named to the Walter Camp All-American First Team. Andre Smith, Caldwell, Cody and Rashad Johnson were named to the AFCA All-America Team.
NFL Draft
In the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, Alabama had four players selected. The first round selection was Andre Smith (6th Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
); and the third round picks were Coffee (74th San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
), Caldwell (77th Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) and Rashad Johnson (95th Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
). John Parker Wilson with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Bobby Greenwood with the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, Marlon Davis with the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Nick Walker with the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
and Travis McCall with the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
each signed as undrafted free agents.
In the 2010 NFL Draft
2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
, Alabama had seven players selected. The first round selections were McClain (8th Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) and Jackson (20th Houston Texans); the second round picks were Arenas (50th Kansas City Chiefs) and Cody (57th Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
); the third round pick was Mike Johnson (98th Atlanta Falcons); and the seventh round picks were Marquis Johnson (211th St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
) and Deaderick (247th New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
). Both Peek and Washington, with the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
respectively, signed as undrafted free agents.
Following the 2010 season
2010 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2010 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 118th overall season, 78th as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 19th within the SEC Western Division...
, Alabama set a school record with four players selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft
2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
. The first round selections were Dareus (3rd Buffalo Bills), Jones (6th Atlanta Falcons), Carpenter (25th Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
) and Ingram (28th New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
). McElroy was selected in the seventh round (208th New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
). Preston Dial signed as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
in July 2011 after the NFL labor dispute
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
was resolved.