Your latest Crimson Tide news and notes.
Happy Thursday and Merry Christmas, everyone. We’ll open up today with a little Christmas cheer from Parker Brailsford.
University of Alabama offensive lineman Parker Brailsford’s childhood experiences inspire him to help Tuscaloosa’s underserved youth.
Brailsford is an Arizona native, who has made a name for himself in the world of college football. But when he takes off the helmet and pads, his focus shifts to something else.
“Being able to give back to kids that don’t have – that’s something that fulfills me,” Brailsford said. “It’s my purpose.”
Brailsford took 10 children and their families from the Boys and Girls Club Christmas shopping on Monday.
This is great stuff from Parker. Kadyn Proctor and Wilkin Formby also joined in the fun, and the three of them even made it to ABC News. We love watching these guys play football, but it’s also special to watch them become great men.
Kalen DeBoer and Curt Cignetti each took the small school path to the highest levels, and share mutual respect from that journey.
DeBoer spent one year as Tom Allen’s offensive coordinator, helping Indiana reach its first Florida-based January bowl game (at a time when that still carried greater meaning) in 2019.
And Cignetti spent four years as part of Nick Saban’s first Alabama staff, coaching wide receivers and coordinating recruiting for the program Cignetti eventually helped win a national championship.
But they’ve both distinguished themselves in their profession through their willingness to climb the coaching pyramid: From outside Division I, through lower levels as either a head coach or coordinator, all the way up to the sport’s biggest stage.
“Knowing coach Cignetti and — you referred to it — his path, nothing but respect for how he’s done it, how he’s gotten to this spot,” DeBoer said.
Nick Kelly examined which of the two Rose Bowl participants has faced more adversity this season.
The next, and final big moment of adversity, arrived in the Big Ten title game. Indiana couldn’t find a way to get in the end zone the entire first half vs. Ohio State. The Buckeyes held a 10-6 lead heading into halftime. Then Mendoza found Sarratt for a 17-yard score that ended up being the game-winner. The Hoosiers battled to preserve the win as Ohio State failed to tie the game, missing a fourth-quarter field goal. So the Hoosiers won the Big Ten 13-10.
As far as overall season adversity goes, Indiana hasn’t experienced the same moments of desperation the Crimson Tide has. The Hoosiers, though challenged a few times, have remained unbeaten and secured the No. 1 spot in the playoff as a result.
Cignetti was impressed by Alabama’s comeback in Norman.
“That was a tremendous comeback on the road in a hostile environment, to come back from 17 points down and come out with a win,” Cignetti said during Monday’s pre-Rose Bowl press conference.
“And and I think it tells you a lot about the character of their football team. They got a lot of great players are extremely well coached, and so you know, they’re really good team would be a tremendous challenge.”
At least one talking head thinks Alabama has a chance next Thursday.
“I don’t think that’s ridiculous at all,” Riddick stated. “Look, I have a lot of respect for the Hoosiers. I have a lot of respect for Fernando Mendoza and what Coach Cignetti has done out there. But look, Alabama is showing you, as they continue to get healthy and as Ty Simpson really settles in, this is a football team that can make explosive plays down the field.”
Riddick also highlighted Alabama’s defensive playmakers in his opinion. He sees significance in the one-game, survive-and-advance nature of the playoff.
“They’ve got some dudes on the defensive side of the football that can make plays as well,” Riddick added. “This team has a tremendous tradition. This isn’t a series, this is a one-off. All you have to do is win one game. Survive and advance. I, without a doubt, feel as though they can pull off the upset.”
Last, DeBoer spoke about the realities of the college football calendar, and how he has to recruit his own roster this time of year.
“I think there’s conversations the coaches will continue to have,” DeBoer said. “ Just our antennas are up. And I think the one thing I appreciate about our whole team, and that’s coaches and players together, I think there’s really strong relationships and conversations that can be had in a way where you can be really upfront and honest and talk through things.
“And there’s a care that these guys have for each other to where, first and foremost, we want to take advantage of what we’ve done all season. This is why you did all the work, is to be able to play in this game.”
The answer to the calendar dilemma is to eliminate spring football and move the portal to the end of spring semester as it was previously. Do OTAs in the summer like the NFL does, and players won’t have any reason to consider jumping into the portal while the season is still going on.
That’s about it for now. May everyone have a wonderful holiday.
Roll Tide.
Category: General Sports
