Championship Gameday

I can't wait for this trophy to be in the great state of Alabama!

Photo via SBNation

Thoughts on my Alabama Gear

Alabama may have lost their first football game of the season last Saturday, but that doesn’t mean fans should turn their backs on them! I am still sporting my Crimson Tide gear everywhere I go! In fact, I recently got some new items for free from a site called Crimson Tide Planet. They contacted me to see if I would be interested in picking a couple of products from their site to write reviews on if they sent them to me for free. I don’t think anybody in their right mind would turn down this opportunity so I said yes.  

Overall, I am very satisfied with the products I received. Check out my reviews below.

From the wide selection of Alabama t-shirts, I picked out this one:

First off, I have to say that I received a lot of compliments on this shirt when I wore it tailgating! It is the perfect shirt to wear on game days, but it is also great to workout in. I noticed that it shrunk a little after the first wash, but it's 100% cotton so that doesn't surprise me.

The other product I chose was this Alabama hat:

I liked this hat because it has more than the script "A" on it. I'm very picky about my hats so I was hesitant to review one, but I don't have any complaints! After adjusting the back strap so it fit perfectly I knew I wasn't going to be buying a new hat anytime soon. 

If you're looking for new Alabama merchandise, I would highly recommend ordering from Crimson Tide Planet! 

Related articles

• Complete Alabama Gameday Guide for Tide-Western Carolina weekend
• You: 5 Reasons Alabama Is Still the Most Talented Team in the Country

Highlights of a mid-40's Jamie Moyer...just kidding

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But here is a recap of one of his game with the mighty Chris Coste playing a deciding role! BIG LETTERS!

Phillies beat Nationals 8-7 in 10 innings
April 3, 2008

News: The Phils escaped with a dramatic 8-7 victory over the Nats today at Citizens Bank Park. A 6 run rally in the 6^th saw the Phightins’ hit 7 straight singles erased a 6-1 deficit. Jamie Moyer was largely inadequate today surrendering 9 hits, 6 runs (3 earned) and a walk in 3.2 innings of work. Clay Condrey (1-0) picked up the win after pitching a 1-2-3 10th inning. Jayson Werth walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th to force Jimmy Rollins in from third to win the game.
Views: The Phillies wrapped 16 hits in 10 innings which makes me think that last night was an exception to the rule. It’s a shame that Hamels’ gem was wasted, though. Moyer looked old and Flash struggled again. I was impressed with Rudy Seanez but it’s woefully obvious that the pitching just isn’t good enough right now.
Player of the Game: C Chris Coste 2-4, BB, 2 runs scored, RBI, HR

Related articles

• Jamie Moyer Released by Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday

  ---

• Jamie Moyer Will Reportedly Sign with Toronto Blue Jays

  ---

Auburn vs. Alabama - all time, all everything

Okay, you can stand on your soap box and pound your chest all day, every day. But what does it really matter when you can add up the stats and see how your Universities stack up?

Whipped up some basic stats, and let's be honest, these don't tell you that much, but it does compare some interesting numbers between the beloved Crimson Tide and that arch rival of ours whose name shall not be mentioned within these two paragraphs.

Whattaya think?

Related articles

• Highly touted recruit switches from Alabama to Auburn

  ---

• Alabama Football: Former Crimson Tide QB Granted Eligibility at Virginia

  ---

Alabama Rivals Recruiting Under Saban

Based on Rivals star reporting system, here are the Alabama recruiting classes under Nick Saban:

2012
5 star recruits: 3
4 star recruits: 14
3 star recruits: 9
2 star recruits: 0
0 star recruits: 0
Average: 3.77

2011
5 star recruits: 3
4 star recruits: 14
3 star recruits: 5
2 star recruits: 0
0 star recruits: 0
Average: 3.91

2010
5 star recruits: 1
4 star recruits: 15
3 star recruits: 9
2 star recruits: 1
0 star recruits: 0
Average: 3.61

2009
5 star recruits: 4
4 star recruits: 14
3 star recruits: 9
2 star recruits: 0
0 star recruits: 0
Average: 3.81

2008
5 star recruits: 3
4 star recruits: 19
3 star recruits: 8
2 star recruits: 2
0 star recruits: 0
Average: 3.71

2007
5 star recruits: 3
4 star recruits: 19
3 star recruits: 8
2 star recruits: 2
0 star recruits: 0
Average: 3.71

2007
5 star recruits: 0
4 star recruits: 10
3 star recruits: 11
2 star recruits: 3
0 star recruits: 0
Average: 3.29

There has definitely been a trend upward as the previous averages were as follows:
2006: 3.61
2005: 3.03
2004: 2.93
2003: 3.00
2002: 3.22

Without question, with the recent surge of national championships, keeping consistent quality in recruiting will be a key in maintaining the Crimson Tide's success, as well as Nick Saban's reputation as an elite recruiter.

A Mismatch By Any Other Name…UT/Florida

Ever since he arrived in Knoxville, Lane Kiffin has tried to stress three things.  First, he’s focused on recruiting.  Second, he’s tried to get as much publicity as possible.  Lastly, he’s tried his very hardest to make Urban Meyer hate him worse than a day without hair gel.

Given his not-so-subtle digs that have been directed toward the Gators, without even mentioning the gross mismatch between the two teams on the field, one can only assume that the result of the next game in this rivalry has only one possible outcome:  extreme revenge served ice cold.

In face, the more I think about it, the more I think we could compare this upcoming “game” to some other famous battles throughout history.

Israel vs. the Phillistines

We’re not sure if there’s a Vol player that is as big as Goliath, but Kiffin sure talks like he is 10 feet tall and bulletproof.  However, Florida does have a native son who seems to be on a first-name basis with the Man Upstairs, and he’s pretty dang good at slinging the rock.  What are the chances that Timmy “misfires” a pass on an out pattern and hits Kiffykins right between the eyes?

Roman Army vs. Spartacus and His Rebels

Spartacus could have best been described as a thorn in the side of the mighty Roman empire.  Sure, his ragtag army probably didn’t stand much of a chance in the long run, but in the short term he was a fly that was constantly buzzing in the ear of the establishment.  He won some early battles (Nukeesewhatshisname, anyone?) but at the end of the day, he wound up just like everyone else that stood against SPQR in those days…vulture bait.

Sparta vs. Persia

Let’s see…Kiffin predicted victory in the swamp even though he had to know that he was completely outmanned, he has an unnatural confidence in his own abilities, and he’s marching toward a fight that every other neutral observer knows is his doom.  Yep…Leonidas would be proud.

Grant’s Siege of Vicksburg

Yet again, we’ll be seeing boys in blue laying into some folks with questionable oral hygiene over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over…until all hope is gone and the faithful are left eating their dogs.  Uhm, Smokey…I wouldn’t make this trip if I were you.

United States of America vs. the Empire of Japan

You know, Urban’s just sitting there, minding his own business, and then, BOOM, out of nowhere he’s getting attacked by a guy he’s barely heard of and he’s not really sure why.  You need to learn from history, Lane…you don’t wake a sleeping giant when he’s a mushroom cloud droppin’………(see Samuel L. Jackson for the rest of the quote).

Alabama vs. Auburn, 2008

This may be the best example of all.  Picking the blowout might be a little too obvious, given the circumstances…but sometimes a superior team with revenge on their minds do exactly what they’re supposed to do:  completely and utterly destroy their opponent.

When you absolutely, positively, got to kill every linebacker in the room…