Alabama
The Battle Of The Offenses
This Saturday is projected to be an offensive showdown between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers. Each packages have confirmed to be juggernauts with regards to manufacturing as they’re first and second in factors per sport amongst SEC groups and top-5 within the nation.
Whereas each groups have sturdy offenses, each finds success in barely completely different fashions. For Alabama, the working sport is the primary weapon because the Tide are third within the nation averaging 257.2 rush yards per sport, trailing the one packages who nearly do not consider within the idea of passing (Air Pressure and Military).
It is a number of elements which have led to a profitable dashing assault for Alabama, and it begins with the 1-2 punch in Jahmyr Gibbs and Jase McClellan. The previous has come on sturdy within the final two video games, ending with 206 yards in opposition to Arkansas earlier than racking up 154 extra in opposition to Texas A&M. His capability to maximise the holes created by the offensive line, mixed together with his burst as soon as he breaks previous the road of scrimmage, leads to plenty of huge runs, together with the 2 70-plus yard touchdowns in opposition to the Razorbacks.
It wasn’t all the time like that for Gibbs, nevertheless. It took him till the fifth sport to interrupt the 100-yard mark; earlier than that, the previous Yellow Jacket ran for 93 yards in opposition to Utah State, 22 in opposition to Texas, 36 in opposition to ULM and 21 in opposition to Vanderbilt. He was nonetheless explosive, however the outcomes weren’t there but. It was throughout these instances that McClellan was Alabama’s most profitable runner, particularly in opposition to his house state Texas Longhorns the place he broke for an 81-yard landing run.
McClellan is a troublesome runner in his personal proper, so the Longhorn protection has loads to deal with, and that with out even speaking concerning the potential return of Bryce Younger and the receiving group that is discovering its rhythm the deeper the staff goes into the schedule.
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It is from a one-sided affair, nevertheless, as Tennessee’s passing sport is simply as deadly. The Volunteers common 340.4 passing yards a sport, seventh-best within the nation. The aerial success is because of Hendon Hooker, the Sixth-year quarterback who has but to throw an interception whereas sustaining a 70% completion share.
Hooker pushes the ball downfield at a fast tempo, largely to the large play receivers Jaylin Hyatt and Bru McCoy. From the movie, Hyatt is a deep-ball risk due to his velocity, whereas McCoy makes an excellent portion of his performs after the catch.
The quantity of weapons Tennessee has within the passing sport will check the Alabama secondary, particularly the cornerbacks who’ve grown from sport to sport. Furthermore, Hooker will arguably be the very best passing quarterback the protection has confronted since Texas’ Quinn Ewers, and he was capable of stretch the secondary out earlier than happening with an damage.
Each offenses are available in with an identification, however both staff has the weapons to maintain the opposing protection sincere. Jalen Milroe was capable of minimize his enamel in opposition to the Aggies, so if he finally ends up being the starter once more, Alabama’s passing sport must be tremendous. If something, it ought to enhance as Milroe’s nerves will not be as unhealthy for his second begin in comparison with his first. And if Bryce Younger comes again, nicely … he is Bryce Younger.
Likewise, Tennessee’s working sport is strong, with two working backs who each have over 300 yards thus far this season. Hooker can also be a keen runner, so defenses need to account for him in protection. The very fact they will maintain the protection sincere permits Tennessee to execute the play-action sport, and the identical goes for Alabama.
No matter who wins, it is perhaps a good suggestion to take over on the purpose complete between these two.
The University of Alabama Board of Trustees Compensation Committee approved contracts for 17 Alabama athletics coaches and staff members Friday. The approved contracts include 15 football assistants and staffers, headlined by first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
Grubb was given a two-year contract that will pay him $1 million per year through Feb. 28, 2027. Grubb joined coach Kalen DeBoer’s staff this offseason after he held the same position with the Seattle Seahawks. Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne pointed out Grubb’s recent position in the pros as a key point in working out the details of his contract at Alabama.
“He had an existing contract with the Seattle Seahawks that helped us with the structure of our compensation for him,” Byrne said. “And there are playcallers within the SEC that are in that range. So it was the market rate for us.
“From a salary standpoint, we have usually been very aggressive from a football salary standpoint, and that is something we have promised Coach DeBoer from a staff-stability standpoint in maintaining his group that he has.”
Other notable football contracts approved by the board Friday include General Manager Courtney Morgan, wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard and defensive line coach Freddie Roach. Other football staff members, including Director of Player Personnel Bob Welton and Director of Sports Performance David Ballou also received new contracts.
Along with the new football contracts, Alabama basketball assistant coach Preston Murphy was also given an extension that will keep him in Tuscaloosa through Dec. 31, 2028. Murphy will make $675,000 per year in his new deal. Murphy has been instrumental in Alabama’s presence on the recruiting trail, helping grow the Tide’s profile under coach Nate Oats.
Here is the full list of new coach contracts approved by the committee:
Chris Kapilovic — Offensive line coach: 2 years, $925,000 per year ending Feb. 28. 2027
Maurice Linguist – Defensive backs coach: 2 years, $975,000 per year ending Feb. 28, 2027
Chuck Morrell — Linebackers coach: 2 years, $600,000 per year ending Feb. 28, 2027
Jay Nunez — Special teams coordinator: 2-year contract ending Feb. 28, 2027. Nunez will make $375,000 in the first year and $400,000 in the second year
Freddie Roach — Defensive line coach: 2-year contract ending Feb. 28, 2027. Roach will make $1.2 million in the first year and $1.3 million in the second year.
Christian Robinson — Linebackers coach: 2 years, $700,000 per year ending Feb. 28, 2027
JaMarcus Shephard — Wide receivers coach: 2 years, $1.1 million per year ending Feb. 28, 2027
Bob Welton — Director of Player Personell: 2 years, $295,000 per year ending Feb. 28, 2027
Jeff Allen — Strength coach: 3 years, $525,000 per year ending Feb. 29, 2028
David Ballou — Director of sports performance: 2 years, $950,000 per year ending Dec. 31, 2027
Bryan Ellis — Tight ends coach: 2 years, $600,000 per year ending Feb. 28, 2027
Robert Gillespie — Running backs coach: 2 years, $850,000 per year ending Feb. 28, 2027.
Jason Jones — Defensive backs coach: 2-year contract ending Feb. 28, 2027. Jones will make $250,000 in the first year and $450,000 in the second year.
Ryan Grubb — Offensive coordinator: 2 years, $1 million per year ending Feb. 28, 2027.
Courtney Morgan — General Manager: 2-year contract ending Dec. 31, 2027. Morgan will make $825,000 in the first year and $875,000 in the second year.
Preston Murphy — Assistant basketball coach: 2 years, $675,000 per year ending April 30, 2027.
Rashinda Reed — volleyball coach: 3 years, $250,000 per year ending Dec. 31, 2028.
Give BYU credit, as they were picked to finish near the bottom of the Big 12 Conference this past season. Instead, the Cougars put together a strong run that ended Thursday night in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
And honestly, on most other nights, they probably would have been moving on. But nobody was beating Alabama.
The Crimson Tide sank a tournament-record 25 three-pointers in posting a 113-88 victory over BYU. Alabama was 25 of 51 from deep and shot 53 percent overall, making just 10 field goals from inside the 3-point line.
Mark Sears sank 10 of those triples, scoring 34 points with eight assists. He also broke the single-game record for made 3-pointers. Chris Youngblood scored 19 and Grant Nelson had 10 rebounds.
For BYU, Richie Saunders finished with 25 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists, with Egor Demin adding 15 points and seven assists.
Two more Big 12 teams will be in action with Arizona taking on Duke and Texas Tech playing Arkansas.
Sweet 16 Round
Thursday’s results
Friday’s Games
From sleepless nights to financial worries, stress has become a daily reality for many Alabamians—and it shows in the data. A new 2025 WalletHub study confirms that Alabama ranks among the top 10 most stressed states in the U.S., placing 8th overall.
The study analyzed 40 key indicators of stress, including work hours, financial strain, family pressures, and health-related challenges. Alabama was one of six Southern states to appear in the top 10, underscoring the region’s ongoing struggle with mental health access, economic insecurity, and limited resources.
The report evaluated multiple stressors and revealed that residents of Alabama experience disproportionate levels of financial and health-related stress. Key findings include:
Key Stress Indicators for Alabama
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3rd fewest average hours of sleep per night
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2nd-fewest psychologists per capita
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3rd lowest average credit scores in the U.S.
These factors contributed to the state’s high stress ranking, which reflects ongoing strain in daily life and long-term well-being.
Top 10 Most Stressed States in 2025
Source: WalletHub’s analysis of 40 stress-related metrics
| Rank | State | Stress Level |
|---|---|---|
| 🟥 1 | New Mexico | Very High |
| 🟥 2 | Nevada | Very High |
| 🟥 3 | Louisiana | Very High |
| 🟧 4 | West Virginia | High |
| 🟧 5 | Mississippi | High |
| 🟨 6 | Tennessee | Moderate-High |
| 🟨 7 | Arkansas | Moderate-High |
| 🟨 8 | Alabama | Moderate-High |
| 🟩 9 | Florida | Moderate |
| 🟩 10 | Oregon | Moderate |
Color Legend: 🟥 Very High | 🟧 High | 🟨 Moderate-High | 🟩 Moderate
Southern States Under Pressure
The Deep South remains a stress hotspot. Alabama joins Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Florida in the top 10, highlighting a regional trend shaped by long-standing challenges like limited access to mental health care, lower credit scores, and economic instability.
Solutions and Support: What’s Being Done
Despite the troubling statistics, Alabama is taking steps to reduce stress levels through statewide and community-based initiatives.
Statewide Crisis Support
The Alabama Crisis System of Care provides comprehensive mental health services, including:
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The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7
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Regional crisis centers for psychiatric evaluation and stabilization
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Mobile crisis teams for on-site intervention
These services aim to reduce emergency room visits and offer faster help to those in crisis.
Community and Campus Resources
Organizations and institutions across Alabama offer free or low-cost stress-reduction programs. Some examples include:
Healthy Habits for Everyday Stress
Alabamians can also manage stress through personal routines:
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Regular physical activity, like walking or biking
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Practicing relaxation techniques, including deep breathing and mindfulness
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Maintaining balanced sleep and nutrition
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Seeking out community support networks
About the Study
WalletHub’s 2025 report analyzed data from government and research sources, grouping indicators into four categories: work stress, money stress, family stress, and health & safety stress.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
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