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ON THE COVER Blake Sims knows what it means to patiently wait.

The fifth-year senior has

Volume 7, Issue 3

earned the starting role at quarterback and has established himself as the leader of the Crimson Tide offense this year.

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Blake Sims 7 From Underdog to Champion

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Lane Kiffin's Career Revival

Saban vs. Meyer Coaching Wars

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Kiffin Vs. Tom Herman 21 Alabama Recruiting 2015 23

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A Season to Remember

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FROM UNDERDOG TO CHAMPION

By SCOTT HODNETT

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nderdog is not a word that would describe the Alabama Crimson Tide football team the last five seasons. In fact, when the Tide straps up to face Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl on January 1st, it will be a favorite for the 68th straight contest. The last time Alabama was an underdog in a game was in the 2009 SEC Championship game, a game which sparked an incredible run of three national titles. As dominant as the Crimson Tide has been, the 2014 season has seemingly come out of nowhere. Coach Nick Saban even admitted that this team "overachieved". That has been due, in great part, to Blake Sims, the unlikely hero who has led Alabama to the number 1 seed in the inaugural College Football Playoff.

Blake Sims has done everything asked of him since he has been in Tuscaloosa. When asked to help out the scout team, Sims complied. When asked to switch positions to running back, Sims never complained. When asked to back up AJ McCarron for years, Sims never gave up.

Instead, Sims took notes and learned valuable lessons during the four years prior to the 2014 season. As an incoming fifthyear senior, one might expect Sims to be a lock for the job. However, that was certainly not the case. Jake

By LARRY BURTON Coker, the transfer from Florida State, was everyone's heir apparent to McCarron. Sims's struggles in the A-Day game only solidified this in the public eye. Seemingly, everyone gave up on the possibility of Sims being the starter come August.

As fall practice progressed, the quarterback battle became the major story surrounding Alabama football.

However, to the surprise of many, Coker never separated himself from Sims. By the start of the season, it appeared both men would get meaningful snaps in the opener against West Virginia. This was soon determined not to be the case. Sims got the nod to start, and he never looked back. While his numbers weren't gaudy (24/33, 250 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT), Sims went wire-to-wire in the game, establishing himself as the leader the Tide needed. The next two games against Florida Atlantic and Southern Miss, Sims excelled in. However, there were still non-believers, many of which did not believe Sims could throw the ball downfield. Sims more than proved them wrong in the next game against the Florida Gators. He threw for 445 yards and 4 touchdowns, which was good enough for the second best passing game in Alabama history. People were beginning to jump on the Blake Sims bandwagon.

However, things would not come easy. Two rough outings followed the Florida game: a brutal loss at Ole Miss where Sims did not have his best stuff, and a narrow escape in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In these two games, Sims completed less than 50% of his passes for only 389 yards and 2 total touchdowns. Sims's

critics were louder than ever. This proved to be a turning point in the season for Sims and the entire Alabama team. A 59-0 demolishing of Texas A&M was next, and Sims's doubters were once again quieted. On the road against Tennessee, Sims and the Tide jumped out to an enormous lead before the half. When Tennessee fought back to cut the lead to 27-17, Sims led (what was up to that point) his best drive of the season to put the game out of reach. These game-preserving drives became a theme for Sims. However, it was in Baton Rouge, two weeks later, where Blake Sims's legacy would begin to be etched in stone.

With his back against the wall in the most hostile environment in the nation, Sims delivered a drive that would go down in Alabama history. Down 13-10, Sims looked amazing as he led the Crimson Tide offense down the field in a mere fifty seconds.

Adam Griffith tied the game and Sims once again delivered in overtime, giving Alabama an improbable 20-13 victory. Alabama followed this game with a win over number 1 ranked Mississippi State, a game in which Sims was workmanlike, making no mistakes. Blake Sims had led Alabama back to number 1 in the rankings, but he was not finished.

The 2014 Iron Bowl would become another notch in the legacy of Blake Sims. After he uncharacteristically threw three interceptions, Nick Saban decided to stick with Sims. This decision proved to be a choice that saved Alabama's season.

After Saban chose to stay with Sims over Coker, Sims played flawless ball for the rest of the game. The Tide rolled to a 55-44 victory, and Sims was the hero again. Blake Sims has done nothing but prove people wrong all season. He seems to feed off of being doubted. A relatively easy win over Missouri to capture the SEC Championship followed, capping off an incredible run for the Crimson Tide. Emotions were visibly shown at the end of the game when Sims approached Saban, Lane Kiffin, and his teammates on the sidelines. The man who was never expected to take a meaningful snap at Alabama had just led them to an SEC Championship.

Sims capped off the regular season by breaking the Alabama single season passing yardage mark. He finished with 3250 yards, 32 total touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.

With all the national titles, All-Americans, and top recruiting classes Alabama has had this decade, there is still a place for an underdog. Anyone who has ever been doubted can relate to Blake Sims. He has become one of the best stories of the college football season, and his name will forever be remembered in Tuscaloosa. Now, as the top seed in the College Football Playoff, Sims looks to put the finishing touches on a storybook season. Two victories stand in the way of becoming a legend. Just don't doubt that he can do it.

Nick Saban decided to stick with Sims. This decision proved to be a choice that saved Alabama's season.

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His dreams of being lifted into the air by his teammates after a game winning play are now only that, dreams that may haunt him in the late night hours.

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hat a difference a year makes. In 2013, Lane Kiffin was the disgraced former head coach of the USC Trojans that had been unceremoniously pulled off of the bus at the airport and fired. In 2014, Lane Kiffin is the offensive coordinator of the most dynamic offense that the Alabama Crimson Tide has ever had.

Shortly after Kiffin was let go by USC, he appeared in Tuscaloosa to consult with Nick Saban about the Tide offense.

Kiffin adroitly broke down several tendencies that former coordinator Doug Nussmeier showed throughout his tenure with the Tide. Following Alabama's loss to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, those tendencies led to Nussmeier joining the Michigan Wolverines staff as offensive coordinator.

There was some consternation around the Crimson Tide following Nussmeier's departure. The new offensive coordinator would have to work with a new quarterback, and there was a general malaise surrounding the program after the disappointing finish. That consternation turned into outright alarm when Nick Saban announced that Lane Kiffin would be replacing Nussmeier.

The hire was the butt of many jokes and ridiculous radio segments. Tide fans were divided. Was Saban, perennial program builder, unable to sustain the success that he had built?

That divide, and the roaring furnace of debate, only became more pronounced after a forgettable A-Day game where both the Crimson and the White offense looked putrid. It was casually ignored that Saban admitted that the offense was intentionally scaled back for the scrimmage.

The best way to solve the divided fan base, and silence

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a chatty football nation outside of Tuscaloosa, is to win with offensive firepower. Alabama did just that. The Tide had offensive explosions against multiple opponents, including a 55-point avalanche against archrival Auburn. The team is on pace to shatter numerous offensive records once the season is over.

Those records have also produced a Biletnikoff Award winner in Amari Cooper, and one of the greatest individual coaching jobs in recent memory with the development of Blake Sims. The fifth year senior was a mess in the A-Day game.

Everything an NFL scout looks for in a quarterback except leadership was missing in Sims. He looked uncomfortable in the offense and had multiple mechanical breakdowns during A-Day. Sims remained shaky throughout the first part of the season, but progress was obvious. After winning the Tide starting job, Sims gained confidence and fleshed out into a more complete quarterback with solid pocket awareness and a good release. The most blatant thing that Sims perfected? The deep ball. Blake Sims has a beautiful long ball, and that entire part of his game was lacking just nine months ago.

The architect of all of that development, and overall offensive production is Lane Kiffin, who has managed to revive a flagging coaching career with his performance. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award, annually given to college football's best assistant coach. He did not win the award, but he is squarely back in the conversation surrounding excellent coaches. That may lead to Kiffin earning several head coaching job offers in the near future, but even if he were to leave, Tide fans will always have the memory of what Kiffin has done in 2014 not only for himself, but for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

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BY SCOTT HODNETT

A

Season to Remember b y I v an W hite and S te p hen M . S m ith

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labama entered the 2014 college champion and a No.1 overall seed in football season with more the College Football Playoff. It’s time to questions than answers. A recap how Alabama got to this point. quarterback battle between Blake Sims Alabama vs. West Virginia (Georgia and Florida State transfer Jake Coker was a topic of conversation. Vengeance Dome) After announcing that quarterback Blake was another issue. The Crimson Tide ended 2013 on a two-game losing streak. Sims would be the starter in a shocking decision, Alabama was looking to make Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban and a statement in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff company wanted to restore the program Game. However, it left the back to its standard. The game with more questions hiring of Lane Kiffin in the offseason was a Alabama stuck than they had entering the contest. Sims went 24/33 double-edged sword. with Sims and passing for 250 yard and Kiffin proved to be an defeated West an interception. It was a offensive mastermind at Virginia 33-23 valiant effort, but fans still Southern California and Tennessee, but his love in a wire-to- wanted to see Jake Coker. of conversations ran him wire matchup West Virginia’s Clint Trickett, Kevin White out of both venues. Saban and Mario Alford all extended his hand to challenged Alabama’s defense. Trickett Kiffin, in hopes that he could ignite a fire threw for 365 yards and a touchdown. in Alabama’s offense.

It’s been an entertaining season, filled White torched the Crimson Tide’s secondary with nine receptions for 143 with passion, tears, huge plays and hard work. 2014 was supposed to be Alabama’s yards and a touchdown. Alford totaled 199 all-purpose yards, including a 100rebuilding season, but it has turned yard kick return for a touchdown in the into Saban’s best coaching job to date. second quarter.

Alabama is a Southeastern Conference

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The Mountaineers kept it close, but Alabama’s run game sealed the deal in the second half. T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry recorded 100+ yards rushing apiece. Yeldon ended the contest with two touchdowns. Amari Cooper brought in 12 of Sims’s 24 passes, resulting in 130 receiving yards. DeAndrew White caught six passes for 73 yards. Alabama stuck with Sims and defeated West Virginia 33-23 in a wire-to-wire matchup.

Alabama vs. Florida (Bryant-Denny Stadium)

The Crimson Tide knew that this was their first true test on the big stage in their young season. This was a primetime game with entire country watching as Will Muschamp and his vaunted defense entered the confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium looking to prevail against this yet-to-be-proven Crimson Tide team.

Blake Sims would go 23/33 for 445 yards and four touchdowns. Amari Cooper had another huge game with 10 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Cap that offensive performance with an impressive showing on the defensive side of the ball forcing three turnovers and intercepting

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Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel twice to give the Crimson Tide a huge 42-21 victory to open up SEC play. This would be the last time that Crimson Tide fans would get the opportunity to see the Crimson Tide in-person for the next two weeks with the Tide hitting the road for big road tests in Oxford, Mississippi and in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Alabama vs. Ole Miss (VaughtHemingway Stadium)

The Alabama Crimson Tide knew that this was going to be their toughest test to date. The Crimson Tide entered the hostile confines of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, with a quarterback that had not had a true road game yet. The Crimson Tide started the game off well, holding a 14-3 lead heading in the half, but not unscathed. The Crimson Tide lost running back Kenyan Drake to a horrific leg injury. As the second half went on the momentum was clearly switching to the direction of the Ole Miss Rebels, and the Crimson Tide offense was starting to team traveled to Fayetteville, Ark., to struggle to get the ball in the end zone. face a Razorbacks team that was on the With Adam Griffith missing a crucial cusp of getting its first SEC win. Weather 51-yard field goal, the Rebels went on a conditions were terrible, and Alabama’s 4-play, 66-yard drive to make it a 14-10 offense was much worse. The Crimson game. Adam Griffith would go on to Tide couldn’t establish a run game, redeem himself on the accounting for 66 yards. next drive, making a Blake Sims threw for 44-yard field goal to Arkansas’s offense two touchdowns but make it 17-10 heading made some critical was a lost cause…. errors in ball placement. into the fourth quarter.

The Crimson Tide’s Amari Cooper couldn’t The fourth quarter defense sacked Allen create separation where past Crimson Tide teams had shined four times and forced against Arkansas’ was now becoming the three turnovers. secondary. He was held downfall of the Tide to two catches for 22 in this matchup. Bo yards. DeAndrew White Wallace threw for two touchdowns in the and T.J. Yeldon both picked up the slack fourth quarter to give the Rebels a 23-17 with a touchdown each. lead with 2:54 left to play. Blake Sims Arkansas’s offense was a lost cause.

Senior quarterback Brandon Allen would need to step up to get the Crimson did all he could, but it wasn’t enough.

Tide the victory. Sims led the Tide on a Alabama’s defense held the Razorbacks 6-play, 55-yard drive; however, the drive to 89 rushing yards, netting 2.3 yards per ended with a Sims interception in the back of the end zone to give the Ole Miss carry. AJ Derby led Arkansas’s receiving corps with four catches for 77 yards Rebels the victory 23-17. and a touchdown. The Crimson Tide’s Alabama vs. Arkansas (Donald D. defense sacked Allen four times and forced three turnovers.

Reynolds Razorback Stadium) Alabama was still coping with a loss of Freshman punter JK Scott didn’t running back Kenyan Drake when the give Arkansas a chance. He drilled

the Razorbacks inside their own 20yard line on seven of eight punts. Six of Scott’s eight kicks pinned Arkansas inside the 15. Alabama’s defensive back Landon Collins ended the contest with an interception in the fourth quarter.

Alabama escaped Fayetteville, defeating Arkansas 14-13.

Alabama vs. Texas A&M (BryantDenny Stadium)

Head coach Kevin Sumlim brought Texas A&M’s high-powered offense into Bryant-Denny Stadium. Sports writers and college football analysts said sophomore Kenny Hill would be the best quarterback Alabama’s defense would face. The Crimson Tide’s defense stifled Texas A&M. It sacked Hill five times, and forced an interception. The Aggies totaled 31 rushing yards and 172 total yards offensively. Josh Reynolds had the best game receiving. He caught three passes for 42 yards.

Blake Sims excited fans with another electrifying home field performance.

He totaled 322 yards (268 passing, 54 rushing) and four touchdowns.

Alabama’s backs averaged 6.6 yards per carry, collecting 298 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Amari Cooper burned

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so successfully with a score by Malachi Dupre. The Crimson Tide did respond by scoring 10 unanswered points, thanks to a 23-yard pass to Amari Cooper for a touchdown and a 39-yard Adam Griffith field goal to give the Tide a 10-7 lead going into the half. As the second half went by LSU ate up most of the third quarter with a 12-play 57-yard drive to tie the game at 10 going into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter looked like a classic defensive battle, and looked to be heading into overtime until a late fourth quarter fumble by T.J. Yeldon deep in Crimson Tide territory, and an LSU field goal with 50 seconds left looked to seal the game for the Tigers.

That is, however, until Blake Sims led an incredible nine play 55-yard drive to get the Crimson Tide in position for a game-tying field goal with less than 10 seconds to go. After a 27-yard Griffith field goal, the Tide was set for overtime in Death Valley. The Crimson Tide started with the ball for overtime, and went on a six play 25-yard drive capped off with a touchdown from Sims to DeAndrew White to give the Tide a 20-13 lead. The Tigers then elected to pass on all four downs of their next possession, and the Tide defense held its own, secured the 20-13 victory, and kept their national title hopes alive.

Texas A&M’s secondary. He ended with eight catches for 140 yards and two scores. Alabama finished with 672 total yards. The Crimson Tide blanked Texas A&M 59-0.

Alabama vs. Tennessee (Neyland Stadium)

Lil’ Jon gained love, while Lane Kiffin received all hatred. Amari Cooper quieted the crowd on an 80yard touchdown reception from Blake Sims. He later returned with a 41-yard touchdown grab, giving Alabama a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry didn’t reach 100 rushing yards, but both recorded a rushing touchdown. Sims tossed for 286 yards and totaled three scores. Cooper set a single-game receiving record with nine catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns. DeAndrew White chimed

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in with four receptions for 59 yards.

Tennessee outscored Alabama 20-14 in the second half. Sophomore quarterback Joshua Dobbs energized the Volunteers fans base. He threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Tennessee rushed for 181 yards against Alabama’s defense. Two critical turnovers plagued Tennessee, including a Cyrus Jones interception in the fourth quarter.

Alabama won 34-20.

Alabama vs. LSU (Tiger Stadium)

The Alabama Crimson Tide came off of their final bye week of the season knowing that the only thing that stood between them and a final three game home stand was a game at arguably the most difficult place to play in college football, Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers came out trying to attack the Alabama secondary and did

Alabama vs. Mississippi State (BryantDenny Stadium)

Alabama’s defense established a tone early in the contest. Senior linebacker Trey DePriest tackled Mississippi State’s running back Josh Robinson in the endzone, forcing a safety. Dak Prescott accounted for 372 yards (290 passing, 82 rushing) and two touchdowns, but he threw three costly interceptions. Alabama held Robinson to 37 rushing yards.

De’Runnya Wilson led Mississippi State in receiving with eight catches for 91 yards.

Blake Sims’s stats were identical to his performance against Ole Miss, but the difference was a victory. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown. T.J. Yeldon battled an ankle injury, but got stronger as the contest went on. He finished with 72 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Amari Cooper displayed a Heisman-

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like performance against Mississippi State’s secondary. He had eight catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. Cooper’s highlight moment came in the second quarter, when he snatched a 50-yard pass away from double coverage.

The Bulldogs outscored Alabama 17-6 in the second half, but its early turnovers proved to be too much in sustaining a comeback. Alabama defeated Mississippi State 25-20.

Alabama’s tune-up games: Florida Atlantic, Southern Mississippi and Western Carolina

Alabama’s offense totaled 40+ points in all three tune-up games. The Crimson Tide posted 600+ yards offensively, and Blake Sims had at least two passing touchdowns in each of the three games. Amari Cooper totaled 24 catches for 370 yards and two touchdowns combined. Alabama’s defense allowed 8.6 points per game.

Alabama vs. Auburn (Bryant-Denny Stadium)

Red-zone offense and rushing yards were two important stats, but both almost didn’t matter in the first half. Alabama jumped out to an early 14-6 lead in the first quarter. Blake Sims struggled with nerves, and it resulted in two interceptions. Auburn cashed in with 20 points and led 26-21 at halftime. Sims regained his confidence in third quarter, zone opportunities, but came away with after tossing a third interception. He went just two touchdowns. to total four touchdowns in the second T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry took half, including two touchdown passes pressure off Sims in the second half. to Amari Cooper. Alabama outscored Yeldon rushed for 127 yards and two Auburn 34-18 in the second half. touchdowns on 19 carries. Henry wore Auburn’s senior down Auburn’s defense quarterback Nick in the fourth quarter. He Marshall left everything The Tigers had had 72 yards rushing and a touchdown on five on the field. He tossed eight red-zone carries. Cooper equaled his for 456 yards, three opportunities, single-season record output touchdowns and an but came away against Tennessee, posting interception. Receivers Sammie Coates and with just two 13 catches for 224 yards D’haquille Williams touchdowns. and three touchdowns. shredded Alabama’s Alabama won 55-44. secondary. Coates caught five passes for 206 yards and Alabama vs. Missouri (Georgia Dome) two touchdowns. Williams totaled Blake Sims was flawless, despite a seven receptions for 121 yards. Corey few communication issues. He set an Grant scored Auburn’s lone rushing SEC Championship Game record, touchdown. The Tigers had eight redcompleting 85.2 percent of his passes.

Sims had 262 passing yards and two touchdowns. T.J. Yeldon wasn’t used in the second half, but he did score two touchdowns. Derrick Henry tore through Misssouri’s defense with 141 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Amari Cooper set an SEC title game receptions record with 12 catches. He ended with 83 receiving yards. DeAndrew White caught four passes for 101 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

Sophomore quarterback Maty Mauk extended plays with his athleticism, but it was Missouri’s lone form of offense.

Alabama’s defense negated Missouri’s run game. Jimmie Hunt led the Tigers’ receiving corps with six catches for 169 yards. Bud Sasser caught Mauk’s lone touchdown, but Alabama won 42-13.

The Crimson Tide captured its 24th conference title in program history.

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Coaching Wars

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he inaugural College Football Playoff came with a little bit of Christmas cheer for fans in the form of made-for-television storylines to accompany each game.

For the Rose Bowl between the Florida State Seminoles and Oregon Ducks, the storyline is last year's Heisman winner, Jameis Winston, against this year's, Marcus Mariota. For the Sugar Bowl, though, it is all about the coaches.

The Sugar Bowl between Ohio State and Alabama closes the circle that started in 2008. Nick Saban's Tide knocked off the budding Gator dynasty then and rose to the top of college football. Now Urban Meyer is bringing the Buckeyes to try to return the favor.

The two coaches' resumes are startlingly similar. Meyer has compiled a 139-26 record since he started his head coaching career at Bowling Green. He also has a pair of national championships, 2006 and 2008. Nick Saban has a record of 177-58-1 for his college career, and has four national championships to his name, 2003, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Hearken back to the 2008 season.

Florida's Tim Tebow was busy making his case to be considered the greatest college football player the world has ever seen. His head coach was Urban Meyer. The same Urban Meyer that now coaches the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Gators beat Nick Saban's Crimson Tide and went on to win the National Championship that year.

Fast forward to 2009. Nick Saban brought a motivated Tide team against

many of the same athletes from Florida and beat the Gators to secure an SEC Championship. Urban Meyer would get annihilated one more time by Saban, a 31-6 shellacking in Tuscaloosa, before leaving the Gators for the broadcast booth.

The stay in the booth would last only a year, and Meyer took the vacant Ohio State job in in November 2011. He has a 35-3 record with the Buckeyes, including an undefeated season in 2012.

The team was unable to play in the BCS Championship thanks to sanctions stemming from an NCAA investigation during the previous season.

While Meyer's 2014 Buckeyes have suffered a loss, 35-21 to Virginia Tech at home, the team is riding an eleven game winning streak. The most impressive part of the run is that they've done it with two different starting quarterbacks. JT Barrett was named the starter after the incumbent quarterback, 2013 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Braxton Miller, was lost for the season with an injury.

Barrett played in every game for the Buckeyes except for the Big Ten Championship since he too suffered a season-ending injury in the season finale against the Michigan Wolverines. Cardale Jones, a sophomore from Cleveland, took over and led the Buckeyes to a blowout win over Wisconsin.

Jones presents a unique circumstance for the Crimson Tide. There isn't much film to study on the young man since he has attempted a grand total of thirty-six passes in two years with the Buckeyes.

Complicating the Tide's efforts is

Buckeye coach Urban Meyer. He has a history developing quarterbacks to play at a high level, including first rounder NFL Draft picks Alex Smith (#1 overall in 2005) and Tim Tebow (#25 in 2010). The extra preparation time will be critical for Cardale Jones's continued development.

Even if Jones cannot match his otherworldly 12-of-17 for 257 yards and three touchdowns from the Big Ten Championship, the Buckeye defense has been brutally effective throughout 2014, particularly along the defensive line. Sophomore Joey Bosa has been a terror all year for the Buckeyes from his defensive end position. He was a finalist for the Bednarik Award, which is annually given to the defensive player of the year in college, thanks to double-digit sacks and numerous tackles throughout the year.

It doesn't end with just Bosa. Another defensive lineman, Michael Bennett, is projected as a high NFL Draft pick when he enters the process. Crimson Tide fans looking for a rough analog to the Buckeye DL would be wise to look at the Ole Miss Rebels defensive front. The two units are similar, and both have several exceptional athletes playing for them.

The Urban Meyer-led Ohio State Buckeyes will come into the Sugar Bowl with a bevy of athletes on both sides of the ball. They will be hard-pressed to overcome the loss of JT Barrett, but Meyer has a habit of building great quarterbacks.

For Nick Saban's Crimson Tide, a win here will send them to the National Championship game and further cement Saban's primacy over college football.

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closer

look

Landon Collins

Future f irst round pick Landon Collins is one of c o l l e g e f o o t b a l l ’s b e s t defensive players.

Photography by

Cedric Mason

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Lane Kiffin

Tom Herman vs.

Alabama Ohio State and

b y S te p hen M . S m ith

T

he regular season is over.

Conference champions have been crowned, a Heisman Trophy is won and the top four teams have been selected to participate in an inaugural College Football Playoff. Florida State and Oregon poses as a shootout, but Jan. 1, 2015, will provide an entertaining matchup between two schools known for defense, Alabama and Ohio State.

Ohio State gave the Big Ten Conference its Christmas present, a representation in the playoff. Week three provided the conference with its first taste of adversity. The Big Ten lost all

five marque matchups, including Ohio State’s 35-21 loss to Virginia Tech.

But the Buckeyes have since won 11 straight games, allowing 21.1 points per contest. Its defense is good, but Ohio State’s offense has been the story. Under offensive coordinator Tom Herman, the Buckeyes have scored 40+ points in nine games.

Herman isn’t a stranger to success.

He began his career as Sam Houston State’s wide receivers coach from 2001-04. Herman produced three AllAmerican receivers and led the Bearcats to an 11-3 record in 2004. Sam Houston

State’s offense was potent under Herman.

It was ranked second nationally in passing, averaging 358.8 yards. The Bearcats were fifth in total offense, netting 471 yards.

As an offensive coordinator for Rice University from 2007-08, Herman helped set nearly 40 offensive records in his first season. The Owls’ offense frustrated opposing teams in 2008. It was fifth nationally in passing (327.8 yards), tied for eighth nationally in scoring (41.6 points) and tied for tenth nationally in total offense (472.3 yards).

Herman is now in his third season

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at Ohio State. The 39-year-old has the Kiffin’s goal on offense is to get Buckeyes averaging 45.2 points and Alabama’s skill players an opportunity 507.6 yards of offense. Ohio State lost to work in space, but balance is his main both Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett objective. The Crimson Tide’s averaged to injuries, but Cardale Jones is a solid 209.5 rushing yards and 281.0 passing consolation prize. He’s played some in yards per game. Kiffin has been achieving mop-up duty, but Herman showed a lot balance since his days at Southern of confidence in Jones during conference California as an offensive coordinator. title week. Jones started against Under head coach Pete Carroll, Kiffin Wisconsin and put on a show. He threw had USC’s offense rolling. He witnessed for 257 yards and three touchdowns, three Heisman winners, Carson Palmer securing a 59-0 victory for Ohio State.

(2002), Matt Leinart (2004) and Reggie Herman’s philosophy is working the Bush (2005). Kiffin produced two 3,000perimeter and getting playmakers on the yard passers in Leinart (3,815 in 2005) edge. Ohio State’s running back Ezekiel and John David Booty (3,347 in 2006).

Elliot is a prime example. Elliot has Bush and LenDale White each totaled 1,402 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

1,000 yards rushing. Receivers Dwayne Receivers Michael Thomas and Devin Jarrett and Steve Smith thrived under Smith display hands, speed and body Kiffin. Jarrett collected 1,015 yards and control. Smith leads the pair with 30 12 touchdowns. Smith had 1,083 yards catches for 799 yards and and nine scores. The 11 touchdowns.

Trojans averaged 49.1 “I thought [Kiffin] points and 579.0 yards Alabama football is known for two things was a good hire. offensively. Kiffin posted a under head coach Nick No one else did.” 23-3 record as an offensive Saban, a balanced run – Nick Saban coordinator and recruiter. game and a feared Kiffin’s connection defense. Defense wins with players has placed championships, but it can’t win unless it many athletes into the National Football has something to hold on to. The hiring of League, including Matt Leinart, Reggie Lane Kiffin in the offseason seemed like a Bush, Dwayne Jarrett, Steve Smith, Matt desperate move. No other program wanted Barkley, Robert Woods, Marqise Lee and Kiffin. His mouth had gotten him into so Jonathan Crompton. much trouble. Crimson Tide fans were Kiffin’s calm demeanor has helped skeptical, but Saban’s move has paid off.

Alabama’s offense flow well. A telling “I got beat up like a drum because sign is Amari Cooper’s offensive output of the hire,” Saban said. “I mean, if from 2013 to this season. A healthy I thought what you all thought when Cooper paired alongside Kiffin has I hired the guy [Kiffin], he probably worked wonders for the Crimson Tide. wouldn’t be here. Maybe that was the Cooper has been the focus point of assumption because nobody thought it this offense. Kiffin’s used him on short was a good hire all of sudden something routes, deep routes and has even featured bad. I don’t know. I thought it was a good Cooper in the run game. hire. No one else did.”

“Coach Kiffin really makes this Kiffin enjoys talking, but his love of offense more player friendly,” Cooper conversations has played second fiddle to said in August. his opportunity at securing redemption.

Cooper has 115 catches for 1,656 yards Jim McElwain and Doug Nussmeier and 14 touchdowns. He’s now Alabama’s were good, but Kiffin has brought a all-time leading receiver with 219 catches new dynamic to Alabama’s offense. The for 3,392 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Crimson Tide has averaged 37.1 points and The underlined reason why Saban 490.5 yards offensively. Alabama has been brought Kiffin in is to pair him with masterful on third down, registering a 54 Alabama’s senior quarterback, Blake percent conversion rating. It has scored Sims. The Georgia native was recruited 40+ points in seven games; six of them

by Kiffin to attend Tennessee in 2009. have come at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Fate would have Kiffin pursue a head

22

coach position at USC, causing Sims to flip his commitment to Alabama. Sims stayed in the program, and four years later the two are united.

“Look at me. Let me help you.” This is what Kiffin says to Sims when he is having issues with opposing defenses.

Sims has had an unbelievable season.

He’s completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 3,250 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Sims struggled in the first half against Auburn. It was Kiffin who calmed him down. Sims torched the Tigers in the second half, totaling four touchdowns. He had two communications issues in the first quarter against Missouri. Kiffin settled Sims down, and he returned to have a record-setting performance.

“Lane does a really, really good job of taking advantage of what players can do,” Saban said.

Alabama’s run game hasn’t been dominant, but its achieved balance. The Crimson Tide has been fortunate to have great offensive lines in recent seasons.

This year’s line is better suited for pass blocking than run blocking. It’s a finesse group up front, but T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry both are nearing 1,000 yards rushing. Yeldon has 932 yards, despite battling injuries. Henry has 895 yards, including a 141-yard rushing performance against Missouri. Both backs have 10 touchdowns apiece.

Tom Herman won the 2014 Broyles Award, but Kiffin was a finalist. Alabama’s center Ryan Kelly said he is a mastermind.

“He brings a lot of energy,” Kelly said. “He has all the confidence in all 11 guys he has out there on offense. To play for a guy like that is great and it builds a momentum of an entire team.”

Offense has been a story both programs this season. Five of the best minds in college football will take center stage in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. Two of them are offensive coordinators. Alabama is playing for revenge. The Crimson Tide lost to Oklahoma 45-31 in the 2014 Sugar Bowl. Ohio State is playing for Big Ten pride. Head coach Urban Meyer wants to even the score with Saban. Defense is good, but which offense will hit the table in January?

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Alabama Recruiting 2015 b y R ic k B ouch

T

he inaugural 2014 College Football Playoff field is set and, as expected, the Crimson Tide are the top seed.

Scattered among head coach Nick Saban’s roster are numerous four- and five-star recruits from around the nation.

To continue the kind of success that the program expects, Saban and his staff must continue to bring in the nation’s best high school football players. That is the plan as the recruiting season heats up. Here is a look at the top 10 high school football players that Alabama must sign this offseason to continue its success.

The Top 5 Daron Payne, DT (6-4, 325) Shades Valley HS (AL)

Talent Rating: 90 Fit Rating: 97

Byron Cowart, DE (6-4, 258) Armwood HS (FL)

Talent Rating: 95 Fit Rating: 97

Martez Ivey, OT (6-6, 271) Apopka HS (FL)

Talent Rating: 94 Fit Rating: 97

Payne is a mammoth defensive tackle that would be a perfect fit at nose tackle in Saban’s 3-4 scheme. With more teams in the SEC spreading the field to run the football, Payne could become a force on a defense that is historically among the country’s best. The Tide’s rush defense is fourth in the nation this season and has not allowed a 100-yard rusher all season.

Payne could help continue that streak.

When you see Byron Cowart with his shirt off, you’ll wonder if he isn’t already on the 'Bama roster. Cowart is a stud who can easily add another 20 to 25 pounds and not lose any of his 4.6-second 40-yard dash speed. He is an athletic defensive end in the mold of guys like Jadaveon Clowney, though not as big.

Blessed with great strength and quickness, Cowart could be another key cog in continuing the success of Alabama's defense.

If there is one area where 'Bama can improve this offseason, it is in the trenches on the offensive side of the ball. Ivey is hands-down the best offensive lineman in the country. At 6-6, he will easily put on another 30 pounds and can challenge to start as a freshman. He has a rare blend of size and quickness

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to go along with a mean streak. He is very athletic for a big man. The question is: Can the Tide staff lure him away from his home state of Florida?

Calvin Ridley, WR (6-1, 179) Monarch HS (FL)

Talent Rating: 90 Fit Rating: 94

Amari Cooper will be in the NFL a year from now. Ridley might make Tide fans forget about Cooper. Possessing absolutely ridiculous body control, Ridley makes play after play and makes it look easy. He can start and accelerate like no other and will be a great addition to the 'Bama return game.

Ridley will need to add some weight to his slight frame, but he is definitely the next great Alabama wide receiver. Ridley committed to the Tide back in April, and Saban needs to make sure that commitment sticks.

Soso Jamabo, RB (6-3, 210) Plano West HS (TX)

Talent Rating: Fit Rating:

90 94

This long-legged back is smooth, bringing back memories of another Texas great – Eric Dickerson. With 4.55 speed in the 40 and a stat sheet a mile long, Jamabo has an offer from the Tide, but he remains uncommitted. Leading rusher T.J. Yeldon is a junior who will likely be gone after this season and Derrick Henry will be a junior next season. Jamabo could be the next big, power Alabama running back.

The Next 5 Roquan Smith, LB (6-2, 204) Macon County HS (GA)

Talent Rating: Fit Rating:

87 90

Smith is a quality hybrid that projects as a small WILL linebacker or possibly the next big strong or free safety at Alabama. Free safety Nick Perry is a senior, and strong safety Landon Collins in a junior.

24

Blake Barnett, QB (6-5, 200) Santiago HS (CA)

Talent Rating: Fit Rating:

90 97

Damien Harris, RB (5-10, 208) Madison Southern HS (KY)

Talent Rating: Fit Rating:

88 90

Malik Jefferson, LB (6-3, 220) Poteet HS (TX)

Talent Rating: Fit Rating:

90 95

CeCe Jefferson, DE (6-3, 248) Baker County HS (FL)

Talent Rating: Fit Rating:

90 93

Da’Vante Phillips, WR (6-2, 202) Talent Rating: Miami Central HS (FL) Fit Rating:

87 90

Barnett committed to the Tide over the summer. It is hard to find quality pro-style QBs anymore with the advent of the spread offense. Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin need to make sure Barnett stays committed.

Harris is a low-to-the-ground power back in the mold of Mark Ingram. He visited Tuscaloosa over Thanksgiving weekend. It never hurts to have a slew of quality running backs, especially with the type of offense that Saban prefers.

An amazing talent, Jefferson is big and has reportedly run under 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. The rest of the SEC as well as the Big 12 are after the talents of this linebacker.

Jefferson is a pass-rushing defensive end extraordinaire. He has tremendous balance and strong hands. He may need to add weight to play as an every-down DE or could convert to an OLB in the Crimson Tide’s 3-4 scheme.

Sleeper While Ridley is high on everybody’s list, Phillips is actually built more like Cooper and fits the profile of the big, tough receiver. He also has amazing leaping ability and is an aboveaverage blocker, something very important at Alabama.

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closer

look

Tony Brown

R o o k i e c o r n e r b a c k To n y Brown will be key in s e a s o n s to c o m e .

Photography by

Cedric Mason

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Tide Pride

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T h e te a m c e l e b r a te s o n e championship game and l o o k s f o r w a r d to t h e n e x t.

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2014 Heisman Finalists

A Trip to New York b y S te p hen M . S m ith

O

n December 13 college football fans descend upon New York City.

The Best Buy Theater had an early Christmas feeling as one individual joined 78 other members of the Heisman fraternity. It’s been a mixture of upperclassmen and younger players in recent seasons, but three upperclassmen made the trip this year.

Melvin Gordon III Junior, Running Back, Wisconsin

Ohio State is in the College Football playoff, but Wisconsin’s running back Melvin Gordon has carried the Big Ten Conference on his shoulders all season.

The Badgers’ lack of a passing game placed double duty on Gordon. He recorded 1,609 rushing yards (7.8 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns in 2013.

The combination of Joel Stave and Tanner McEvoy at quarterback generated more carries for Gordon this season. He has 2,336 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns.

Gordon’s finest performance came against Nebraska. He rushed for 408 yards, setting a new FBS singlegame rushing record. Gordon totaled four touchdowns and out played his counterpart, Ameer Abdullah. Wisconsin defeated Nebraska 59-24.

Gordon’s guided Wisconsin to a 10-3, despite a poor performance against Ohio State in the Big Ten Conference title game. He was the recipient of the 2014 Doak Walker Award. Gordon has had an outstanding career, posting 4,664 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns. The Heisman has gone to a running back 36 times.

30

Amari Cooper Junior, Wide Receiver, Alabama

2014 was coined as a rebuilding year for Alabama. Junior receiver Amari Cooper has turned it into a 12-1 season and one of Nick Saban’s best coaching jobs to date. He was dazzling as a freshman, but Cooper’s leadership took a step forward this season.

Alabama’s offensive coordinator, Lane Kiffin, used Cooper in a variety of ways.

He’s abused man-to-man coverage and has gotten his teammates involved. Cooper’s totaled at least eight receptions in 11 games. He torched Florida, Tennessee and Auburn for 200+ yards receiving.

Frustration and a toe injury kept Cooper from breaking records in 2013, but he achieved it this season.

Cooper finished the regular season with 115 catches for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He is Alabama’s all-time leading receiving, accounting for 219 receptions for 3,392 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Cooper’s set a new record in the 2014 Southeastern Conference title game with 12 receptions. He exited the Home Depot College Football Awards as the first Alabama receiver to win the Fred Biletnikoff Award.

Tim Brown and Desmond Howard stand as the only two receivers with a Heisman Trophy. Cooper would have become the third and only the second Alabama player (Mark Ingram, 2009) to hoist a coveted bronze award.

Marcus Mariota Junior, Quarterback, Oregon

In the end, the award went to Oregon’s quarterback, Marcus Mariota. Mariota is a comeback story. He could have pursued a career in the National Football League after his sophomore season, but unfinished business lured him back to Autzen Stadium (Eugene, Ore.).

Mariota is the most prolific passer in Oregon’s history. He completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 3,665 yards, 31 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2013. Mariota has dismantled opposing defenses this season, totaling 3,783 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and two interceptions.

He is one of the few dual-threat quarterbacks in the Pac-12 Conference.

Mariota’s registered 1,389 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns combined in the last two seasons. He’s had a stellar career at Oregon, collecting 10,125 passing yards, 101 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Losses to Stanford and Arizona plagued Oregon in 2012 and 2013.

Vengeance was paid this season. He led Oregon to a 45-16 victory over Stanford and a 51-13 thrashing of Arizona to capture a Pac-12 championship. The Ducks finished 12-1 (8-1 in the Pac-12) and are the No.2 overall seed in the College Football Playoff.

Mariota collected numerous prizes at the Home Depot College Football Awards, including Davey O’Brien Award, Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He’s been recognized as the Offensive Player of the Year in the Pac-12. The Heisman Award completes his repertoire.

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