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Home , Chevis Jackson, Ciron Black, Craig Steltz, Darren McFadden, Darry Beckwith, Early Doucet

GAMEDAY'07 ALABAMA (6-2, 4-1) 11.02.07 vs. TIME: 4 p.m. LSU (7-1, 4-1) CBS TV:

Laying it on the line INSIDE g Gameday Central g Offense faces toughest test of the season g The return wizard that is Javier Arenas Your home away from home. Phillip K. Bobo, M.D. David C. Fernandez, M.D.

• Specialty Referrals • Checkups • X-Ray • Minor Injuries • Lab • Illiness

Hours: Mon. - Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. At Emergi-care we give every patient the special Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. care they need to get better--Fast. When you need a doctor come to Emergi-care, your complete family Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. medical clinic. THE CRIMSON WHITE Gameday 20071 ON THE INSIDE Gameday Central Poster Game information All the things you need A picture of John Parker (6-2) to know about Saturday’s Wilson celebrating a game but are too lazy to career day against vs. look up. Tennessee. LSU Tigers (7-1) Pages 2-3 Pages 8-9 Bryant-Denny Stadium (92,138) Laying it on the line Arenas making Tuscaloosa Alabama opponents miss reunites with Alabama’s return special- TIME: 4 p.m. his former team with big ist Javier Arenas is mak- implications on the line. ing a name for himself in Page 5 the SEC. TV: CBS (, play- Page 11 by-play; Gary Danielson, color analyst; Tracy Wolfson, sideline Wilson, offense face Around the SEC reporter.) toughest test A preview of the three John Parker Wilson and biggest SEC games on RADIO: 1420 AM (Eli Gold, play- the Alabama offense will the slate this weekend. try to keep things rolling Page 12 by-play; Ken Stabler, color against a tough defense. analyst; Barry Krauss, sideline Page 6 reporter.) The Crimson White Gameday staff ■ Mike Faulk - editor ■ David W. Dailey - creative services manager ■ Jessie Patterson - managing editor ■ Whitney Gullett - national account executive ■ Megan Honeycutt - asst. managing editor ■ Jeff Haas - account executive Check Monday’s edition of ■ Matt McLeod - design editor ■ Drew Gunn - account executive ■ Dan Sellers - sports editor ■ Brandon Clark - account executive The Crimson White for a ■ Ryan Wright - assistant sports editor ■ JT Braswell - account executive ■ Caroline Gwaltney - senior sports reporter ■ Thomas Nation- account executive complete analysis of Alabama’s ■ Will Barry - senior sports reporter ■ Nick Harbaugh - account executive ■ Greg Ostendorf- sports reporter ■ LeighAnne Landis - account executive game against LSU. ■ T.G. Paschal - sports photographer ■ Cassie Edwards - advertising coordinator ■ Kathleen Buccleugh - chief copy editor ■ Khalid Al-Qahtani - territory manager ■ Maria Franco - advertising manager ■ Jonathon White - territory manager 2 Gameday 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE AMEDAY G LSU Tigers (7-1)

2007 statistical leaders OFFENSE Passing Com Att INT Yards TD The LSU offense beat Auburn with a deep pass in the final sec- M. Flynn 106 190 5 1,266 8 onds, but the run game has been the Tigers’ bread and butter this season. The stat sheet may not win you over, but they have four guys Rushing Car. Yards TD Avg/G that could be the No. 1 tailback. , a bruising back, has seen most of the action, but speedsters and J. Hester 113 544 5 68.0 are big playmakers. Charles Scott fits more in the K. Williams 41 283 5 35.4 mold of Hester. C. Scott 33 236 4 29.5 T. Holliday 34 221 1 27.6 DEFENSE All-American defensive tackle may not be exactly Receiving Rec. Yards TD Avg/G racking up the sacks, but the 300-plus pounder is always wreak- B. LaFell 30 412 1 51.5 ing havoc. Even when Dorsey isn’t making plays, he’s always attracting E. Doucet 22 246 2 61.5 double teams, freeing up his teammates to make plays. R. Dickson 16 162 2 20.2 and lead a back seven that is as fast D. Byrd and athletic as any team in the country. 14 299 3 37.4 Glenn Dorsey J. Mitchell 13 143 0 17.9 SPECIAL TEAMS Defense Tack. TFL Sacks INT C. Steltz Diminutive return man and Trindon Holliday has 59 5.0 1.0 4 world-class speed. If he doesn’t get a chance to make an impact at A. Highsmith 56 6.0 1.5 0 running back, it doesn’t take much of an opening for him to make K. Pittman 44 7.5 3.0 1 an impact as a kick returner. has made 74 percent of his kicks, but he is 0-of-3 D. Beckwith 43 5.5 1.5 0 from beyond 40 yards. G. Dorsey 39 6.5 4.0 0 Punter Patrick Fisher leads the SEC with 44.1 yards per . Trindon Holliday THE CRIMSON WHITE Gameday 2007 3 ENTRAL AlabamaC Crimson Tide (6-2) OFFENSE 2007 statistical leaders A week after showing signs of explosiveness against Ole Miss, Alabama put on an offensive show with a 41-17 rout of Tennessee. Passing Com Att INT Yards TD DJ Hall has been nearly unstoppable in SEC J.P. Wilson 173 299 5 1,876 11 games, averaging 122 yards per game in conference play. The run game and possession passing game will be key to eating up a lot of clock. As crucial as controlling the time of possession Rushing Car. Yards TD Avg/G was against Tennessee, it may be more important as LSU’s bruising T. Grant 127 697 7 87.1 Terry Grant rushing attack can take a toll on the Alabama defense. G. Coffee 90 413 4 59.0 R. Upchurch 28 161 1 23.0 EFENSE D J.P. Wilson 49 68 4 8.5 After a shaky first half against Tennessee, Alabama pitched a shutout in the second half, sparked by the two from Receiving Rec. Yards TD Avg/G . LSU Matt Flynn is more than capable of hitting big DJ Hall 50 764 5 95.5 plays through the air, but the mobile quarterback can run, helping M. Caddell 27 257 1 32.1 an already potent ground game. M. McCoy Getting stops early and getting off the field will be key to keep- 23 168 1 21.0 ing the Tide defense fresh down the stretch. Kareem Jackson T. Grant 18 123 1 15.4 N. Walker 14 119 2 14.9 SPECIAL TEAMS Defense Tack. TFL Sacks INT Tennessee elected to kick away from Javier R. Johnson Arenas last week, and it wouldn’t be surprising if LSU used the 55 3.0 1.0 4 same philosophy. Much like Trindon Holliday from LSU, one seam R. McClain 47 4.5 1.0 0 is all Arenas needs to make a difference in the game. W. Gilberry 45 12.0 4.0 0 Leigh Tiffin is coming off the best outing of his career with four field goals against Tennessee. S. Castille 42 4.0 0 2 K. Jackson 41 2.0 0 2 Leigh Tiffin True Radiance Mineral Makeup Boutique & Day Spa The largest mineral makeup selection in the South

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Teeth whitening - 5 to 14 shades whiter! Swedish & Deep Tissue Massage In University Mall across from Picadilly’s Cafe The world’s #1 natural looking spray tan 205-553-2134 www.trueradiancedayspa.com Gameday 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE 4 ■ PS3 SAYS ■ MEMORY LANE: NOV. 16, 2002 John Parker Wilson threw Wilson hooked up with Matt an with less than Caddell, who eluded two tack- a minute remaining, and Matt lers, and sprinted into the end Flynn drove the LSU Tigers down zone to nod the game at 14. Tide blanks Saban for the winning . Things look promising for the LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith Tide, but Wilson’s errant pass in intercepted a Wilson pass with the red zone dashed Alabama’s 50 seconds remaining, and Flynn chances. LSU capitalized for the connected with on game-winning score. a 29-yard touchdown pass with Even though LSU outgained in last win over LSU 15 seconds left to lift the Tigers the Tide by a wide margin, over Alabama, 21-14. three red-zone interceptions by BY GREG OSTENDORF Watts plunged in from two yards With the loss, Alabama falls Alabama kept the score close. Sports Reporter out to give the Tide a 14-0 lead at to 6-3 in the PlayStation 3 simu- Simeon Castille, Kareem Jackson the half. lated season. and Prince Hall each intercepted Saturday won’t be the first Both teams went scoreless After falling behind 14-0, a Flynn pass as the Tigers were time that Alabama head coach again in the third quarter, but Alabama fought back with a knocking on the door. Nick Saban will coach in the Beard scored his second touch- score right before the half. Doucet’s game-winning catch Alabama-LSU game, but it will down of the game early in the Wilson connected with DJ Hall was his second touchdown on a 37-yard catch to cut the catch. His 14-yarder on the be his first time on the Crimson fourth quarter, this time from 22 deficit. game’s opening drive gave the Tide sideline. yards out, giving the Tide a 21- Early in the fourth quarter, Tigers the early lead. In his five years at LSU, Saban point lead. went 4-1 against the Tide, but Late in the fourth, the Tide his only loss was a win that Tide put the game away when Watts fans will always remember. found Zach Fletcher on a 27-yard In 2002, Alabama went down touchdown strike, and Alabama to Baton Rouge and beat the hung on to its first shutout in Tigers 31-0 behind a strong run- five years. ning game and a stellar defense. Defensive ends Kindal Running backs Santonio Moorehead and Antwan Odom Beard and Shaud Williams each led the defense as each recorded rushed for more than 100 yards a sack. Moorehead’s sack was in the game, while Alabama held the 23rd in his career, moving LSU to fewer than 200 total yards him into second place on the the entire game. Alabama all-time sack list. After a scoreless first quarter, The win was the last time Beard put the Tide on the board that Alabama knocked off LSU, first with a six-yard touchdown but Saban hopes to change run late in the first half. that against his former team Three minutes later with this weekend as the two teams CW screenshot/ T.G. Paschal only 12 seconds to go in the square off for the top spot in the Early Doucet caught two in the PS3 simulation. half, Alabama quarterback Tyler SEC West.

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DumpYourBank.comY B k THE CRIMSON WHITE Gameday 2007 5 The Reunion Past and present converge Saturday with major implications

BY RYAN WRIGHT may springboard LSU to a nation- Assistant Sports Editor al championship. A loss ends all ■ [email protected] hope. The SEC implications are huge. The day Nick Saban said “I Whichever team wins controls its am not going to be the Alabama conference destiny. coach,” desperation sunk a bit If Alabama defeats LSU, it can deeper into crimson nation. lock down the SEC West in one The day he recanted that state- of two ways. If Auburn loses to ment, another Tiger rivalry was Georgia next week, Alabama need solidified. only win one of its final two SEC Stubhub.com prices skyrock- games against Mississippi State eted as fans circled, starred and and Auburn. highlighted Nov. 3 on the calen- If Auburn beats Georgia, dar. Television networks would Alabama must win against have vied for broadcast rights Mississippi State. Obviously, if before spring training. Alabama then knocks off Auburn, Regardless of records or rank- it wins the West outright. But the ings, the theatrics destined this Tide wins by tiebreaker if Auburn game to be a blockbuster. wins and LSU wins out. Here’s Alabama vs. LSU. how: If Alabama beats Mississippi With LSU’s recent rise to power State, it enters Auburn with a 6-1 in the West, a rivalry with Alabama SEC mark to Auburn’s 5-2. seemed inevitable. The Tigers Assuming LSU runs the table gave it a nudge when they ended after losing to the Tide, an the Tide’s 2005 run, but it needed Alabama loss to Auburn sets up a a bit more animosity and some three-way tie in the West. staying power. Saban isn’t going Because both of Auburn’s con- anywhere, and LSU fans won’t be ference losses came against West changing. teams, it drops out. Alabama and Nick Saban vs. LSU would have suffered a loss in A media concoction really, the each division, and the tiebreak- two have only talked on occa- er would go to Alabama for the sion. It really holds weight with heads-up victory. (If this scenario LSU fans. Saban greets a Tiger unfolds and Auburn wins, Auburn fan base that loves and hates him wins the West outright if LSU suf- simultaneously. LSU fans now fers another league loss.) have to mask their adoration of But Saban isn’t getting caught Saban. While most would prefer up in all the hype and the what-if Saban any day, they will stub- scenarios and with due reason. bornly stand behind the coach The SEC is nearly a microcosm of they believed a suspect hire in the the topsy-turvy first place just to save face. landscape. Nick Saban vs. his own players Just a few weeks ago, national Just three years removed, teams had reason to fear Kentucky CW/ T.G. Paschal Saban’s efforts linger in Baton football. Head coach Nick Saban walks down the sideline during the Tennessee game. Saban Rouge. In a rare twist, a coach will Mississippi State, a perpetual will coach against his former team Saturday for control of the SEC West. lead a team of players he didn’t underdog, has bite. The Dogs beat recruit against one he did. Auburn by five and more than nothing but another game next and alumni think the Tide can But just to pile it on, the records doubled up then-No. 14 Kentucky week,” Saban said. “And, if the beat LSU, but it isn’t by any means and rankings do matter. 31-14. winner of this game loses the next expected. The two teams are tied for first Nine of the 12 SEC teams have game, that means that this game If he wins against LSU, praise place in the SEC West, and the been ranked at some point in doesn’t mean anything. will rain down. But no one will outcome of two championships the season. Seven remain today, “I know you all would like to torch him for losing to argu- could very well hinge on this depending on the poll. Some, create this as all or nothing, so ably the best team in the nation. bout. And to cap it all off, both including Alabama, have jumped if we don’t win the game, we Believe it or not, Saban is but a teams enjoyed a bye week to rest, in and out. shouldn’t even play the rest of man. study and prepare for a battle of As senior Matt Caddell put it, the season or, if we win the game, Either way, Saturday’s game such magnitude. “The SEC is crazy. You can never that means we’re going to win it begins a new saga in the Alabama- Ranked No. 3 with no room for slip up. You have to be able to play all.” LSU rivalry that will be a main- error, LSU hangs delicately to its week in and week out.” Saban has landed himself in stay through Saban’s tenure and one-loss Florida route to the BCS Across the country and within a win-win situation. He’s riding beyond. title game. Given its remaining the SEC, it’s hard to stay on top. favorable waves after crushing The first Saturday in schedule, a win against Alabama “The winner of this game has Tennessee two weeks ago. Fans November? 6 Gameday 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE Bama to face SEC’s top defense

BY WILL BARRY allowed only 2.2 yards per carry Senior Sports Reporter on the season. ■ [email protected] Only the and the have gone The Alabama Crimson Tide over the 100-yard mark rushing offense will face its biggest chal- against LSU this season. lenges of the year in the LSU They haven’t been easy to score Tigers. on either, as the Tigers’ defense LSU’s punishing defense ranks has held their opponents score- in the top five in the nation in less in 18 of 32 quarters this sea- several categories. son. LSU has one of the best defens- The Alabama offense, which es in college football, ranking sec- is averaging 413.63 yards per ond in the nation and first in the game, will have to look to senior SEC, allowing only 232.25 yards wide receiver DJ Hall and junior per game. quarterback John Parker Wilson The Tiger’s scoring defense has to lead the Tide against this top- held teams to 15.38 points per notch Tiger defense. game, which is first in the SEC The Alabama offense is ranked and fifth in the nation. in the top-five in the SEC in four Alabama’s offense will have a CW/ T.G. Paschal offensive categories but does not lot to focus on with LSU’s variety John Parker Wilson evades a Tennessee defender on Oct. 20. Wilson may be rank in the top-25 in the nation of defensive weapons. scrambling often to escape LSU’s stout defensive line. in any offensive category. “They have some outstanding This game will give the Tide players, [Ali] Highsmith, [Glenn] in the country.” team in tackles with 59 and is offense an opportunity to test Dorsey; those guys are great foot- LSU’s pass defense has held second in the SEC with four inter- their skills against one of the best ball players, but there really is not teams to 160.63 yards per game, ceptions. defenses in the country and grow any weak links on their defensive which ranks second in the SEC Linebacker Ali Highsmith has as a team. team,” Alabama head coach Nick and fourth in the nation. 56 tackles and 1.5 sacks on the “When you’re playing against Saban said. LSU’s rushing defense has held season as he dominates the mid- a great football team like LSU “I think they have a great teams to 71.63 yards per game, dle for the Tigers. — who’s arguably one of the best defensive team. I think all of their which ranks first in the SEC and All-American defensive tackle if the best teams in the country personnel is outstanding. They’re fifth in the nation. Glenn Dorsey has 39 tackles, six- — it’s a great opportunity to give good in the secondary, they’re Three outstanding seniors, and-a-half tackles for losses and yourself a chance to compete good against the run, they’re ath- who were recruited by and played four sacks. against some of the best com- letic, they’re fast, they can rush for Nick Saban in his time as the The Tiger defense has not petition that you’re ever going the passer. I think that’s probably head coach of LSU, lead the unit. allowed a 100-yard rusher this to have the opportunity to play one of the best defensive teams Safety Craig Steltz leads the season, and their defense has against,” Saban said. THE CRIMSON WHITE Gameday 2007 7

SUPethe Store

Tradition Starts Here

Ferguson Center, Tutwiler Hall, Tent on the Quad Open this Saturday 9:00am - 3:30pm Bryant Museum Open this Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm supestore.ua.edu 10.20.07 Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson runs off the field after throwing a touchdown pass to Terry Grant Sat- urday against Tennessee. Wilson had a career day, throwing for 363 yards and two scores. CW/ T.G. Paschal Gameday 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE 10 ■ A LOOK BACK: TENNESSEE

CW/ T.G. Paschal TOP LEFT: Alabama defensive backs coach Kirby Smart leaps into linebacker Darren Mustin’s arms after the Tide forced a punt with a third-down stop. TOP RIGHT: Two jets fly over the stadium before the Tennessee game Saturday. BOTTOM RIGHT: Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson scrambles away from pressure in Saturday’s win.

home and away games will halftime giveaways. be shown each Saturday in the West Dining Room and the crimsontradition.com will show the Ferguson Theater. “Tradition” video and the previous week’s highlight video 30 minutes 2F admission is free. before kick-off. Football at the Ferg Sponsored by: Alabama Credit Union Bama vs. LSU Kickoff: 4:00 PM come join the new alabama football tradition. www.ferguson.ua.edu THE CRIMSON WHITE Gameday 2007 11 Arenas making opponents miss

BY CAROLINE GWALTNEY Javier Arenas Senior Sports Reporter looks for a ■ [email protected] seam during his 62-yard kick Sure, Javier Arenas has gotten attention as return against the kickoff and punt-returning specialist for Tennessee on Oct. the Crimson Tide. 20. Arenas has He’s currently second in the SEC in punt return average, averaging 16.1 yards per sparked some carry, and ranks sixth in kickoff return aver- of Alabama’s age. He was named SEC Special Teams Player offensive drives of the Week against Ole Miss, where he had with long kick 164 all-purpose yards. He even ranks in the and punt returns top 50 in the nation in total punt return this season, and yards. is one of the best So to think that if Arenas had followed return specialists through with his plan last summer to leave in the SEC. the Tide to go closer to home, the outcome of several games this season might have CW/ T.G. Paschal been drastically different. But by the time the 5-foot-9-inch speedy return threat stepped into head coach Nick Saban’s office this summer, he had made up his mind. He was leaving Alabama, and not just the football team, but the entire univer- sity and state. This whole football thing was no longer for him. “It had absolutely nothing to do with how I was performing or where I was on the depth chart,” said Arenas. “I had total confi- dence in what I could do. I just didn’t know if I wanted to play football anymore.” Arenas said he was saved, and found the solace he needed with the support of Saban, his teammates and his mother. Now, the only problems for Arenas seem to While he already returns punts and kickoffs, “They just reminded me that I was a young be opponents tackling him and the Alabama he’s also progressing at the safety position guy and saved me from a horrible decision. coaching staff finding something Arenas I’m glad I didn’t make,” he said. doesn’t want to do. See ARENAS, Page 13 12 Gameday 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE Around the SEC South Carolina at Vanderbilt at Florida Tennessee Tech at Auburn

Arkansas 12:30 p.m. CDT • Gainesville, Fla. 1:30 p.m. CDT • Auburn, Ala. 7 p.m. CDT • Fayetteville, Ark. (88,548) Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451) Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000) TV: LFS (Dave Neal, play-by-play; Dave TV: None TV: ESPN (Mark Jones, play-by-play; Bob Archer, analyst; Dave Baker, sidelines) Davie, analyst; Stacey Dales, sideline Record: First meeting reporter) Record: Florida, 29-9-2 * Last: UF, 25-19 (2006 at Nashville) Auburn celebrates its Homecoming Record: Arkansas, 9-6 * Last: UA, 26-20 Saturday by taking a break from the SEC (2006 at Columbia) Florida has captured the last 16 games played schedule to host its last nonconference between the schools, dating back to a 24-9 game of the season against Tennessee Tech. The teams did not play prior to join- Vanderbilt victory in 1988. The Commodores Auburn will be looking for its fourth-straight ing the SEC in 1992. Arkansas and South have struggled in Gainesville, going just 1-17- home victory, while the Golden Eagles, a Carolina have been permanent oppo- 1 all-time on the Florida campus. Vanderbilt’s member of the Football Championship lone win in Gainesville came in 1945 – its first nents, playing each season, since joining Subdivision, will be out to snap a four-game appearance in Florida Field. Vanderbilt con- . Arkansas has won six of the losing streak. Auburn has won its last 15 trolled the series in its infancy, winning five nine meetings during the Homecoming games and is 67-8-5 all-time of the first seven games played between the on Homecoming weekend. era (1998-2006). The Razorbacks have schools from 1945-1955. won the two of the three games in the series played in Fayetteville. What to look for when What to look for when Tennessee Tech has the ball Florida has the ball What to look for when South Carolina has the ball Senior Derek White averages 116.8 yards ’s of 176.5 is the per game, and with 1,051 yards this sea- highest in the nation. He has completed 65.8 Running back Cory Boyd netted a son, is the first Golden Eagle with more percent of his passes, which is the 16th-high- career-high 160 yards rushing on 20 car- than 1,000 yards rushing since 1995. Senior est mark in the country and the best in the ries at Tennessee on Saturday, the fifth Larry Shipp has caught at least one pass in SEC. During the Georgia game, Tim Tebow 100-yard game of his career. Quarterback all 41 games during his career and needs 55 scored his 12th rushing touchdown of the Blake Mitchell came off the bench to yards to break the school’s all-time receiv- year to build on the single-season record for complete 31-of-45 passes for 290 yards ing record. Shipp caught seven balls for 191 a quarterback. is first on the and a touchdown. Wide receiver Kenny yards and two scores against Samford. McKinley tied a school record set by team with 933 all-purpose yards and is aver- Antonio Coleman took over a starting spot Zola Davis against Vanderbilt in 1998 by aging 116.6 yards per game. He has a team- at defensive end after senior Quentin Groves catching 14 passes for 151 yards. leading 36 catches for 604 yards. was injured Sept. 29 at Florida, but the sopho- Michael Grant is having an outstand- Jonathan Goff posted 11 total tackles more has played like a starter all season long. ing senior season at for the against Miami (OH). He recorded two tackles Coleman leads the team and is tied for 17th nationally in tackles for loss with 12.5, and also Razorbacks. He is second in the NCAA for loss, a QB sack and one QB hurry. Marcus leads the Tigers in sacks with six. with 1.75 passes defended per game. The Buggs leads the ‘Dores with 8.5 tackles for mark also leads the SEC outright. Jerrell loss and shares the team lead with three QB What to look for when Norton has five interceptions, tied for sacks. D.J. Moore ranks among SEC leaders Auburn has the ball fifth nationally. in numerous categories, including intercep- tions, solo tackles, defensed passes and kick- Junior wide receiver Rodgeriqus Smith What to look for when off return yardage. Arkansas has the ball leads Auburn with 41 catches for 564 yards What to look for when and five touchdowns. All three of those totals Darren McFadden ranks 11th nationally Vanderbilt has the ball surpass what he accumulated during his first in rushing with 124.13 yards per game. two seasons combined. Smith had his sec- That mark also leads the conference. He Through eight games, leads ond 100-yard receiving game last Saturday is averaging 153.38 all-purpose yards per the SEC with 54 receptions and ranks third against Ole Miss, catching eight balls for 111 game, which ranks 26th nationally and with 639 receiving yards. He is also among yards and a score. He had a career-high nine second in the SEC. McFadden needs seven the SEC Top 10 with four touchdown catches. catches for 102 yards Sept. 29 at Florida. In yards to become the second player in the Bennett is trying to lead the SEC in receiving the last six weeks, Brandon Cox has complet- SEC to rush for 1,000 yards as a freshman, for the third consecutive year. As a freshman ed 91-of-139 (.655) passes for 1,016 yards, sophomore and junior. ranks and sophomore, he became the only player in five scores and just one interception, for a 30th nationally and second in the SEC in league history to post two seasons of at least 75 quarterback rating of 137.30. rushing with 107.88 yards per contest. He receptions. Bennett broke the SEC record for Each week it seems that somebody new has 863 yards rushing on the season with career receptions three plays into the Miami steps up to lead the Golden Eagle defense. 10 touchdowns. (Ohio) game. Against Tennessee State it was junior line- Defensive end Eric Norwood has per- Brandon Spikes and Dustin Doe rank as backer Corey Reed with 15 total tackles and formed at an all-league level for the Florida’s leading tacklers with 74 and 59, four tackles for a loss. Senior Maurice Smith Gamecocks. He is second on the squad respectively. During the last nine games, leads the team and ranks second in the OVC with 51 tackles this season, including 14.0 has totaled nine-and-a-half with 87 tackles this season. He had 12 last tackles for loss, second in the SEC. He also sacks. Against Georgia, Wondy-Pierre Louis week and 11 against Austin Peay and has had has 5.0 sacks on the season. made his first career interception. double-digit tackles in six of Tech’s games. THE CRIMSON WHITE Gameday 2007 13

toward you? For Arenas, though, “It’s an 11-man thing, and I Arenas said. ARENAS it’s not difficult to get pumped have confidence in every one of And Arenas said he sees him- Continued from Page 11 up. the guys who blocks for me,” he self doing anything. “I listen to my music in the said. “I have to give all my trust.” “I’ll do whatever, whether it’s where he’s playing defense as locker room and watch the other And while Arenas has yet to returning punts and kicks or being part of the Crimson Tide’s “dime” guys focusing, which reminds me make it to the end zone this sea- a successful part of the defense,” package. just how important the game is,” son, he knows he’ll get there. He’s he said. “The biggest thing I’ve Although he hasn’t played he said. “Then when we walk out been stopped just short on four learned is keeping a positive per- offense, fans enamored with his on the field and see the crowd, long returns. spective.” return skills are starting to clamor for his emergence in that role it brings a feeling unlike any But Arenas seemed more ani- And while there has been little too. other.” mated about possibly sacking an mention of Arenas helping out on Some say you have to be crazy to But it also takes trust in his opposing quarterback than any- the offensive side of the ball, he want to return kicks and punts. teammates’ ability to block. thing else. said he will be ready if the coach- How could a person possibly Sure, Arenas has to make some “In my safety position, I blitz ing staff makes the move. become motivated to catch a opponents miss, but it takes more than I cover. I like that. I like “Hey, if I make the move, let’s ball with 11 opponents sprinting everyone, he said. to get in there and hit people,” do it,” he said. 14 Gameday 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE ■ POSITION CHART

19 9 22 2

94 16 35 82 49 93 71 92 71 LSU 50 21 65 72 29 14 70 97 48 74 15 61 57 99 79 18 20 27 78 93 70 7 49 88 47

ALABAMA 11 3 21 80

80 1

OFFENSIVE STARTERS DEFENSIVE STARTERS OFFENSIVE STARTERS DEFENSIVE STARTERS LT 71 Andre Smith (So.) DE 92 Wallace Gilberry (Sr.) LT 70 (So.) DE 93 (Jr.) LG 50 Justin Britt (Sr.) DT 97 Lorenzo Washington (So.) LG 79 Herman Johnson (Jr.) DT 72 Glenn Dorsey (Sr.) C 70 Evan Cardwell (So.) DE 95 Bobby Greenwood (Jr.) C 74 (Jr.) DT 99 (Jr.) RG 61 B.J. Stabler (Jr.) JACK 94 Keith Saunders (Sr.) RG 65 Lyle Hitt (So.) DE 49 Kirston Pittman (Sr.) RT 78 Michael Johnson (So.) WILL 57 Darren Mustin (Sr.) RT 71 Carnell Stewart (Sr.) LB 35 Luke Sanders (Sr.) TE 88 Nick Walker (Jr.) MIKE 21 Prince Hall (So.) TE 82 Richard Dickson (So.) LB 48 (Jr.) QB 14 John Parker Wilson (Jr.) SAM 47 Ezekial Knight (Jr.) QB 15 Matt Flynn (Sr.) LB 7 Ali Highsmith (Sr.) RB 29 Terry Grant (Fr.) CB 2 Simeon Castille (Sr.) RB 18 Jacob Hester (Sr.) CB 21 (Sr.) WR 11 Matt Caddell (Sr.) FS 49 Rashad Johnson (Jr.) WR 9 Early Doucet (Sr.) SS 16 Craig Steltz (Sr.) WR 22 DJ Hall (Sr.) SS 20 Marcus Carter (Sr.) WR 1 Brandon LaFell (So.) FS 27 (Jr.) WR 80 Mike McCoy (So.) CB 3 Kareem Jackson (Fr.) WR 80 Terrance Toliver (Fr.) CB 19 (Sr.) THE CRIMSON WHITE Gameday 2007 15 LSU Tigers Alabama Crimson Tide 2007 statistical rankings 2007 statistical rankings Category Number NCAA Rank SEC Rank Category Number NCAA Rank SEC Rank Passing offense 211.13 75 7 Passing offense 243.63 46 4 Rushing offense 224.25 12 2 Rushing offense 170.00 44 5 Total offense 435.38 27 3 Total offense 413.63 44 5 Scoring offense 36.75 18 4 Scoring offense 31.50 39 5 Passing defense 160.63 4 2 Passing defense 223.63 60 9 Rushing defense 71.63 5 1 Rushing defense 131.38 41 5 Total defense 232.25 2 1 Total defense 355.00 46 8 Scoring defense 15.38 5 1 Scoring defense 20.75 33 6 16 Gameday 2007 THE CRIMSON WHITE Dan Sellers Ryan Wright Caroline Gwaltney Will Barry Mike Faulk Jessie Patterson Maria Franco CW Picks (week 10) Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Sr. Sports Reporter Sr. Sports Reporter Editor Managing Editor Advertising Manager LSU @ ALABAMA

Arizona State @ Oregon

Wisconsin @ Ohio State

Florida St. @ Boston College

Wake Forest @ Virginia

Texas @ Oklahoma State

Michigan @ St.

Nebraska @ Kansas

Season record 30-10 29-11 25-15 28-12 27-13 29-11 29-11 Games around the nation No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 21 Wisconsin, 11 a.m. No. 10 Georgia vs. Troy, 12 p.m. No. 2 Boston College vs. Florida State, 7 p.m. No. 11 Virigina Tech at Georgia Tech (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.) No. 3 LSU at No. 17 Alabama, 4 p.m. No. 12 Michigan at Michigan State, 2:30 p.m. No. 4 Arizona State at No. 5 Oregon, 5:40 p.m. No. 13 Connecticut vs. Rutgers, 6:15 p.m. No. 6 Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M, 7 p.m. No. 15 Texas at Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m. No. 8 Kansas vs. Nebraska, 11:30 a.m. No. 16 Auburn vs. Tennessee Tech, 1:30 p.m. No. 9 Missouri at Colorado, 5:30 p.m. No. 18 South Florida vs. Cincinnati, 2:30 p.m. UA LIBRARIES Supporting student athletes at home and on the road!

HELP OUR UNIVERSITY YOU could WIN two season tickets LIBRARIES in THE ZONE at Bryant-Denny! CONTINUE TO TURN OUT Go to www.lib.ua.edu/thezone ACADEMIC CHAMPIONS and let TERRY SABAN tell you how!

All UA Libraries will be CLOSED Saturday, November 3, 2007 Enjoy the game!

KRISPY KREME & THE TIDE.

A sweet combination. “I ain’t never been nothin’ but a Doughnut.” .