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Download today! GAMEDAY 2012 1 STOPPING ‘JOHNNY FOOTBALL’ INSIDE has a chance to win the sec west and punch its ticket GameDay to atlanta, but first the tide has to stop johnny manziel. PAGE 8 CW | Shannon Auvil

PAGE 2 PAGE 4 PAGE 12 OFF THE MARQ PICK ‘EM AROUND THE SEC GAMEDAY Gameday editor Marq See who the gameday With the season winding STAFF Burnett gives his take experts are picking in the down, see which teams • Daniel Roth, magazine editor on the week that was in biggest are jockeying for position • Marquavius Burnett, GAMEDAY editor • college football. games this week. during the stretch run of Marc Torrence, assistant GAMEDAY editor • Will Tucker, editor-in-chief the year. • Ashley Chaffin, managing editor • Stephen Dethrage, production editor • Shannon Auvil, photo editor • Ashanka Kumari, chief copy editor Cover photo by Jingyu Wan

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HEISMAN TROPHY RACE BRING THAT BACK MY FAB FIVE

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein had 300-plus yards of Alabama vs. LSU in Death offense before he left the game in the third quarter with what is being Valley was one for the ages. Just reported as a concussion. when it looked like LSU had the upper hand, Alabama’s offense fought back to get the win in Tiger Stadium. The McCarron- 1. Alabama led game-winning drive will go The Crimson Tide is the best team in down in Alabama history as one the country and the Tide proved it in of the best if the Tide is able the most hostile environment in col- to win out and claim its third lege football, Death Valley. Alabama national championship in four has a tough test this week against years. Texas A&M, but the Tide can punch its ticket to the SEC Championship with a win. LUCK OF THE IRISH

Notre Dame needed three overtimes to knock off Pittsburgh 29-26. The Fighting Irish did themselves no favors in the eyes of the voters. It’s 2. Kansas State tough to imagine an undefeated Quarterback Collin Klein’s health Notre Dame team could be left over the next few weeks is key. If out of the national champion- he can’t go, Kansas State’s national ship game considering their championship hopes are in serious

illustrious history. jeopardy. The Wildcats remaining schedule is pretty weak so it could allow them to rest Klein. MCT Campus NO R-E-S-P-E-C-T Oregon running back Kenjon Barner carried the ball 38 times for 321 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Yes, you read that right. Louisville is 9-0, I repeat 9-0. But I’m sure you had no idea Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron led the Crimson Tide on because the Cardinals are get- one of the best game-winning drives in school history to knock ting no respect nationally. Yes, 3. Oregon off SEC foe LSU and keep the Tide’s national title hopes alive. their schedule is full of cupcakes, Oregon scored 62 points against but they are still technically in a USC and racked up 730 yards of major conference. At No. 9 in the total offense (both school records), BCS, Louisville is ranked behind but at some point they are going two teams with one loss and two to have to make a stop. Yes, the teams with two losses. Where’s Ducks score in bunches, but what the love? will happen when they face a team that actually plays defense? DREAM MATCHUPS WE WON’T GET

Alabama vs. Kansas State or Alabama vs. Notre Dame would be perfect matchups for the 4. Notre Dame national championship. Kansas Even if Notre Dame runs the table, State would give Alabama the the Irish will need Kansas State best matchup and Notre Dame and Oregon to fall in order for would provide the best story- them to make the BCS National lines. But considering Kansas Championship game. I’m sure the State won’t play a conference Irish are wishing the playoff start- championship game and Notre ed this year. Dame may be too far back in the polls, we’ll end up with Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o has been the best defensive Alabama vs. Oregon. And MCT Campus we’ve all seen Oregon’s strug- gles against SEC powerhouses. 5. Georgia player in the nation this year and has the Irish undefeated through Did anyone see Georgia bounc- nine games. ing back after the beating it took against South Carolina? The Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller would have the Buckeyes Bulldogs have been decimated by in the national championship hunt if not for the NCAA bowl ban. injuries, but still have a chance to make some noise nationally. GAMEDAY 2012 3 A&M game offers new traditions

By Courtney Stinson [A&M] is going to be a stronger Texas students at the Staff Reporter team because they’ll have to fight for their titles.” has the potential to For some out-of-state students The A&M game will offer Texas change the feeling of who call Texas home, Saturday’s students the opportunity to experi- the student section, matchup is a chance to let their old ence traditions old and new. Spillane but Bielefeldt and and new traditions meet and get a has taken the opportunity to share Spillane believe, while taste of home in their new environ- her new culture with friends at they might feel more ment. For others, the game could be A&M. Spillane said UA traditions connected to this a test of their loyalties as they cheer like Homecoming Week have a more game, most Texans on both the Aggies and the Tide. Southern feel, but A&M traditions will be pulling for the Brent Bielefeldt, a junior majoring like yell practice and chugging a Tide. in mechanical engineering, is not a beer to get your class ring are just a Though Spillane Texas A&M fan, but is excited for strong. and Bielefeldt will be chance to be included in new rival- “[Texas is] my home and cheering for Alabama, ries that out-of-state students some- [Alabama] is my new home, so not all Texans will times miss out on. it’s like meshing the two togeth- let school affiliation “When you go out of state you er,” Spillane said. “[A&M] has totally trump lifelong CW | Austin Bigoney aren’t really a part of the rivalries strong traditions, but we [UA] state loyalty. Houston going to be a good game,” she that your friends who went to state have strong traditions in a dif- native Katie Bayless, a junior said. schools have, so it’s really cool to ferent way.” majoring in chemical engineer- Bayless, whose parents both start a new rivalry with [A&M] Bielefeldt has also used A&M’s ing, is a lifelong Texas A&M fan. attended Texas A&M, is excited because you’re more included in it,” entrance into the SEC to teach She will be sporting both A&M to participate in A&M traditions he said. his friends back home about UA maroon and an Alabama button like yell practice, a pep rally Caroline Spillane, a freshman traditions. on Saturday to reconcile her two where an elite group known as majoring in dance, was excited when “You learn a lot about tradi- fandoms. Yell Captains teach A&M cheers. A&M joined the SEC, even though tions growing up because you Bayless is optimistic about More than anything, Bayless it meant leaving behind traditional see them everywhere, so its cool about how A&M will perform on is excited to experience a taste rivals like the University of Texas. to see [A&M] bring their tradi- Saturday and plans to enjoy the of home and enjoy both of her “It’s weird to think [A&M] won’t tions to the SEC and introduce game no matter what the out- teams. be playing UT anymore, but I’m my friends that go to A&M to a come. “Honestly, I don’t care who excited that they’re going to play lot of our traditions.” “I am very excited to see A&M wins as long as it is a good and bigger schools,” she said. “I think The large population of come to Alabama. I feel like it is close game,” Bayless said. 4 GAMEDAY 2012012 GAMEDAY 2012 5 HOT NOT

VANDERBILT head coach, JAMES FRANKLIN KENTUCKY Franklin has changed the culture of football at Vanderbilt, and it’s This simply hasn’t been Kentucky’s season. The Wildcats have only showing. After crushing the 40-0, Franklin’s won one game, against Kent State, and have been blasted in every other Commodores fi nd themselves one game away from bowl eligibil- game. The Wildcats’ woes this season came to a head Saturday, when ity in only his second year at the helm. A win against another the beat them 40-0, prompting the fi ring of head overachiever in Ole Miss could prove that Franklin is one of the coach Joker Phillips. best in the SEC.

FLORIDAʼS OFFENSE LSU quarterback, ZACH METTENBERGER The Florida offense was miserable in its game against the . Even Mettenberger absolutely shredded the Alabama defensive though Missouri gives up an average of 24 points per SEC game, the Gators only secondary in Baton Rouge, La., making one of the most mustered 14. The offense fumbled twice, losing one, and quarterback Jeff Driskel feared defenses in the nation look human for once. He went only threw for 106 yards and no touchdowns. 24-for-35, throwing for 298 yards and constantly making plays on third down to keep the defense on the fi eld.

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Nick Saban shocked the foot- and both marks are top in the Flutie. And craziest of all, he is is confident the team will be ball world when he announced SEC. only a redshirt freshman. prepared for Manziel this his disdain for the no-huddle “They do what they do well,” So the million-dollar ques- weekend. offense, citing the huge advan- said senior defensive lineman tion becomes, how do you stop “Blake provided us a good tage it gives and the added . “They want Johnny Football? look when we played Michigan, injury risk it creates for play- to get up on the ball, and they “You just have to practice and Denard was the quar- ers. After a month of backlash, want to run plays fast and put a against scrambling,” Saban terback,” Hubbard said. multiple interpretations of his lot of points on the scoreboard said. “You have to practice “Everyone always asks what’s comments, and speculation and as a defense, we’re trying scramble rules, matching pat- the difference between Denard of whether the Crimson Tide to do the exact opposite. So we terns, trying to contain the and Johnny, so our scout team could handle the no-huddle gotta come in prepared and guy in the pocket and push the gives us a good look every offense, Saban and his No. 1 prepare the best way we can pocket because he doesn’t just week and I give a lot of credit ranked defense finally have prepare and go out there and run around you – he’ll step up.” to them.” a chance to put all that talk execute what coach draws up What makes Manziel’s But not only does Manziel’s to rest as they take on Texas on the game-plan.” play- making ability so dan- scrambling ability make the A&M’s high-powered no-hud- And leading the way for gerous is the pressure it puts Aggie’s offense tough to stop, dle offense this weekend. the Aggies is a guy affection- on defense’s defensive backs, he also has arguably the best Junior linebacker Adrian ately referred to by fans as as they have to know when to offensive tackle tandem in the Hubbard isn’t worried about “Johnny Football,” a duel- pursue or when to stay in their country, with juniors Luke having to face a no-huddle threat quarterback who has defensive zone or assignment. Joeckel and Jack Matthews offense. more than excelled in new And Manziel’s particular skill setting the edge for him. Both “Whatever happens, hap- head coach Kevin Sumlin’s Air set makes him tough to pre- players are projected to be pens,” Hubbard said. “To an Raid offense. So far Johnny pare for and be emulated in drafted in the first two rounds, outsider, [stopping the no- Manziel has led the Aggies to practice. with Joeckel being considered huddle offense] would seem an unexpected 7-2 start and “If we had somebody who as the best offensive tackle difficult, but our offense runs has risen on many end-of-the- could play that part, we’d play in the draft. And along with no-huddle sometimes so we get year award watch lists, includ- them,” Saban said. “Blake Sims Manziel, the Aggies also have a glimpse of that every day in ing generating some Heisman will probably try and do it a trio of running backs in Ben practice.” buzz. He already has 3,449 some, at least the running and Malena, Christine Michael and Stopping the Aggies’ up- total yards – 2,527 passing scrambling part.” Trey Williams who can be dan- tempo attack, however, is a lot and 922 rushing – which is on Backup quarterback Sims gerous with the ball in their easier said than done. pace to Cam Newton’s record has been effective so far this hands. To counter this, Saban So far the Aggies have been for total yards, despite play- season at emulating opposing said it will be important for the nearly unstoppable, averaging ing one fewer game. Manziel scrambling quarterbacks, and Tide to rely on its athleticism 44.7 points and 559.6 yards per has received high praise from with the success the team has on defense. game – fourth and fifth ranked Saban, compared to former had in the past against dual- “We have to put athletic people in the nation, respectively, winner Doug threat quarterbacks, the Tide on the field,” Saban said. “This is ING SOO COM N!

-2,17+( 9,%( &/8% %RXOHYDUG/RIWV 8QLYHUVLW\%OYG GAMEDAY 2012 9 not a time to have a bunch of player so far this season, said guys out there that can play it will be important for the two-gap on the nose and can’t Tide to get back to the funda- move. People have to be ath- mentals of tackling they learn letic and they have to be able in practice and getting every to move, playing against this man to the ball. team.” “Coach always talks about Square believes that not when we have practice and we letting Manziel or any of his miss tackles in the open field, receivers run loose and keep- just not stopping your feet,” ing the defense fresh will be Mosely said. “Just knowing that the crucial to the defense’s the 10 men next you are going success this weekend. to be running after the ball too, “Have to be a sure tack- so not stopping your feet and le,” Square said. “Can’t let a taking the momentum, and just two-yard gain turn into a try to make the play, but it’s all 35-yard gain. You gotta get a about just running to the foot- guy on the ground, you gotta ball.” try and get as many three- If the Tide can stop Manziel and-outs as possible, and the and the Aggies’s no-huddle offense gotta get on the field offense and get a win, it will and control the tempo of the guarantee the Tide a spot in game.” the SEC Championship game Strong, open field tackling and get the team one step has been a staple for Kirby closer to reaching the National Smart’s defenses over the Championship game. And that’s years, and it’s something in where they could potentially which the Tide defenders have face the best no-huddle offense taken great pride. So the team in Oregon, which many believe wasn’t very happy with their the Tide will have trouble stop- tackling against LSU, as the ping. Tigers on multiple occasions This weekend Saban final- had players break loose for ly has the chance he want- long gains. Junior linebacker ed to put an end to all the C.J. Mosely, one of the Tide’s talk about the no-huddle surest tacklers and arguably offense. Now the Tide just CW | Caitlin Trotter the team’s best defensive has to stop it. Order Your Class Ring Now

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By Aldo Amato move the ball if properly led by of gains if the first tackler misses up front. Staff Reporter Manziel. him.” “It is ironic that A&M came into “Thus, no matter how well you Smith continued his praise for the league and how are they’ve Two teams enter Bryant-Denny run the ball, you are going to get Manziel. been able to transition into the Stadium Saturday afternoon with shots down the field at Alabama “He’s a special player,” Smith strong offensive line that they are,” the same mindset, yet on differ- and you’ve got to take advantage said. “He has put up similar num- he said. “I don’t think Alabama has ent paths. For one, national title of them. A&M is well-equipped to bers to Tebow and can turn a bro- faced an offensive line as talented hopes hang in the balance of each do this in three ways. First, A&M’s ken play into a touchdown like he as A&M’s. They have fantastic snap, coming off a thriller in Baton offensive line has progressed dur- did against Arkansas this year.” tackles guarding Manziel.” Rouge, La. The other has gained ing the season and tackles Luke While only listed at just over The stout A&M offensive line the respect of the SEC already but Joeckel and Jake Matthews are six feet, the Kerville, Texas, native led by junior Luke Joeckel has is hungry for more. getting better in pass pro. Second, has reminded some of Tebow in allowed the true freshman to make Chandler Smith, sports editor quarterback Johnny Manziel is an his prime. But Tide head coach plays with his feet and given him for The Battalion student newspa- atypical SEC quarterback. He’s himself said that the time to look downfield. But that per at Texas A&M, said the hype mobile, has great vision, and can young quarterback reminded is where Smith said Alabama’s surrounding the game is the larg- extend plays which gives him a him of former Heisman Trophy defense can take advantage by est he’s ever seen. applying pressure. “There’s a lot of buzz about it “If Manziel isn’t able to see right now,” he said. “This is our the play right away that is where last big game, and it’s very simi- Alabama can take advantage lar to the LSU and Florida game because they close so well,” he because A&M has a ton of momen- said. “This is by far the best tum coming into this game, and defense this offensive line has I think everyone has bought into faced this far. The closest thing this team and coaching staff.” they’ve faced was LSU and Florida Many did not expect to see Texas but trio of Alabama’s linebackers A&M come right out of the gates will pose a major challenge.” after joining the SEC this season. Despite coming from a confer- In fact many had the Aggies strug- ence often known for its lack of gling, while new member Missouri defense, A&M has been able to was supposed to be an offensive keep SEC opponents at bay. forced to be reckoned with. “I think the success of the “Mike Sherman had a more pro- defense has been overlooked, style offense while he was here,” especially on the line of scrim- Smith said. “People would call this mage,” Smith said. “They really offense an Air Raid and it’s similar did win the line of scrimmage to what is run at West Virginia. I against Florida and LSU. You think our offensive coordinators look at a player like defensive end and coaching staff have done a Damontre Moore who is a top NFL great job in the first year.” prospect, it always helps to have an But first-year head coach Kevin elite pass rusher.” Sumlin’s commitment to his But while the Aggie defense redshirt freshman quarterback seems to have turned a corner, Johnny Manziel has proven to pay Smith said they can be easily dividends, and both the program exposed against a surprisingly hot and its quarterback has risen to Alabama offense. prominent status on a national “Alabama poses much more of level. a challenge because they have a “What the staff has done well quarterback that can throw prolifi- is to adjust to Johnny Mainzell,” cally, and they have a running back Smith said. “They are adjusting that can burn you too,” he said. as much as he is and just like any “It’s really tough because Alabama spread offense, it is predicated on is so balanced. One thing I think spreading out the offense and get- Alabama can do to expose A&M ting the ball to as many play mak- is in the secondary because we ers as possible.” will have to use schemes to mask Many Tide faithful have become weaknesses on defense to shut immune to the danger of dual- down McCarron.” threat quarterbacks ever since Smith said it will be tough former Florida quarterback Tim for the SEC’s most explosive Tebow was shut down in the 2009 offense to move the ball on SEC Championship en-route to a the nation’s most efficient national title that year. While the defense, and that may be key defense has become faster and to the Tide’s success, which he stronger throughout the years predicts to be a close one. CW | Austin Bigoney under Nick Saban, it doesn’t nec- “Look for an early game essarily mean Manziel could not Texas A&M head coach, Kevin Sumlin plan for A&M to strike early shock the world. better chance to hit people down winner Doug Flutie. as they’ve done all year,” he Many, including AggieYell.com the field. Three, outside receiver Smith said Manziel’s success said. “But in the end, I have publisher Jeff Tarpley in a Nov, 6 Mike Evans is dangerous after the has to be due in part to a severe- Alabama 24-20 in a close post, said the Aggie offense can catch and can generate those types ly underrated pass protection game.” GAMEDAY 2012 11 Crimson Tide’s victory against LSU provides needed challenge

the Associated Press in the pre- season and did not place in the top 25 of the first Coaches’ poll that year. Alabama shot up the polls as fast as any team ever had in the his- tory of the game, by week six they were ranked second in the nation. I remember gathering around every Sunday with my roommates to watch as the polls came out that afternoon and then watching the Nick Saban Show that night. There was something special about that season. We all know what has happened since then and I know most people forget about 2008, having had two national championship campaigns since then. It is still fresh in my mind because of the all the emotions By Chad Haynie tied into it: stunning Clemson in Featured Columnist the Georgia Dome, manhandling Arkansas in Fayetteville embar- Last Saturday I felt like I was rassing Georgia in the blackout, transported back in time. It was delivering the knockout punch to déjà vu in a way; I felt like it was Philip Fulmer in Knoxville, and of 2008. Ironically that was the last course the “Beat down in T-town” presidential election year, but this against Auburn. had nothing to do with politics. I know I left one big game out The 2008 season for the Alabama of there and that is the one that football team was one of the most sparked my memory. In 2008 CW | Shannon Auvil special I had ever been a part of as Nick Saban returned to Baton Head coach Nick Saban and quarterback AJ McCarron discuss the a football fan. Rouge for the first time with the teamʼs 21-17 win over LSU in Death Valley. In 2008, no one expected much top-ranked team in the coun- Sound familiar? play, 90-yard drive. The Tigers out of Alabama nationally. The try to take on an LSU team that Crimson Tide was ranked 24th by The Crimson Tide led going into took a 17-14 lead. LSU later faced was not meeting expectations. the fourth quarter of that game as a third-and-10, which if they had well. Charles Scott capped off the converted would have essentially biggest drive of the day by either sealed the game. Thankfully the team – 14 plays, 74 yards – with a Tigers ran the ball up the middle to 1-yard touchdown run. That tied set up a field goal attempt. I looked the game at 21-21. Alabama would down and noticed that I was wear- get a chance for a game-winning ing a shirt from 2007. I thought to field goal after a great punt return myself, how could I be so stupid? I by Javier Arenas and a short drive ran into my room, took the shirt off, Food · Spirits Sports · Music by the offense. Leigh Tiffin’s chip threw it on the ground and quick- shot 29-yard field goal was blocked. ly grabbed a white polo from last All Alabama fans were crushed, year. The rest was history. Drew myself included. I was wearing a Alleman missed that 45-yard field shirt from the 2007 season. I ran goal and AJ McCarron and Kevin into my room, took the shirt off, Noorwood led the team down the Daily Food threw it on the ground and quickly field in machine-like fashion, to grabbed my crimson sweatshirt. set up a play that will go down in and The rest was history. Alabama Alabama lore. dominated in overtime with a It was one of the most special Rashad Johnson interception, feelings I had ever had, maybe fall- Drink Specials his third of the day, and the first ing just a tad short of the 2009 SEC offensive play was a 24-yard pass Championship game, which was a from John Parker Wilson to Julio totally different feeling. Alabama Jones. Wilson punched it in two had come from behind before plays later for the game winner. I under Saban, but not like this. r0QFOGPSCSVODIBNQNr0SundayQFOGPSCSVODIBNQN r Brunch ran out of our apartment with my Deep down in your gut, you were roommates to celebrate with our really worried about this one. Not neighbors, then we all hopped in only would the national champion- the car and went to the airport to ship dreams be gone, but also you Full Bar welcome the team – the SEC West would have to listen to LSU fans Champions – back to Tuscaloosa. gloat about it for the next year. It was one of the best nights I had Then AJ-to-T.J. for the touch- ever had as a college football fan. down. McCarron was in tears and I Fast-forward four years. think we were all crying along with Alabama was leading LSU heading him. We needed that. In a season, into the fourth quarter. This time really two, where no one had given it was Zach Mettenberger hooking this team a challenge, we needed up with Jarvis Landry on a 14-yard that. The players, the coaches and touchdown pass to cap off a seven- the fans, we all needed that. 12 GAMEDAY 2012 Ar und THE SEC GAME OF THE WEEK LSU vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE

LSU is coming off a stinging loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the Bulldogs are coming off a walloping at the hands of Texas A&M. Even though the Bulldogs have done well this season, the fact that LSU is playing at home, especially after losing to the Tide, may be too much for the Bulldogs CW | Jingyu Wan to handle. ARKANSAS TENNESSEE OLE MISS GEORGIA SOUTH CAROLINA MISSOURI VANDERBILT AUBURN

Both of these teams’ SEC title The Volunteers have looked woe- James Franklin and Hugh Freeze With a win, the Bulldogs can hopes have been gone for quite fully overmatched in all of their SEC have done wonders with their clench the SEC East – expect the some time now, but this will be games, and Missouri has only fared programs, and it’ll be inter- to be the Tigers’ a great opportunity for both the slightly better. This game will mark esting to see how these two biggest fans this week. Gamecocks and Razorbacks to fin- either a much-needed win or another up-and-comers play against one ish out the remainder of their SEC devastating loss for these programs. another. schedule strong. Open Daily (205)349-CARE

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