Top 5 Surprises of Alabama’s 2022 Season (so far): All Things CW

The All Issues CW notes column by Christopher Walsh will seem in 5 elements this week, one every day main as much as Saturday’s sport in opposition to Texas A&M.

That is …

Take 5 

Those that checked out the Simply A Minute video on Thursday bought a sneak peek of the listing: 

The High 5 Surprises of Alabama’s 2022 Season (to this point).

1. Turnover margin: Alabama is ranked 115^th within the nation out of 131. The possibilities of it beginning there are about none. However this additionally ties in with … 

2. Regardless of the fierce move rush, the secondary has solely picked off just one move, by cornerback Terrion Arnold final week in opposition to Texas A&M. The protection’s different choose was by Will Anderson Jr. 

For extra: The Stat Nick Saban is ‘Emphasizing like Loopy’ throughout Tennessee Week

3. The offensive line is healthier than anticipated. Keep in mind all of the speak and concern about who was going to play proper deal with? Alabama leads the nation in dashing yards per carry at 6.95. 

4. Kool-Help McKinstry on punt returns. With 319 yards on 18 returns, he’s averaging 17.72 yards. The group is averaging 20.09 yards per return, which is a credit score to the complete unit.

5. Jaheim Oatis. The true freshman defensive lineman has a ton of potential. 

5 Issues That Bought Our Consideration This Week 

1] Wage inflation: In keeping with this yr’s annual USA In the present day examination, the extent of head teaching salaries on the Soccer Bowl Subdivision stage function 15.3 p.c in common complete compensation. It is “the best one-year spike because the present fundamental methodology was put in place for the 2009 survey.” It additionally famous that “not less than 21 of the 65 Energy 5 colleges, mainly one-third, are paying not less than $1 million extra [to head coaches] than they had been scheduled to pay final season. The typical pay for the 52 Energy 5 public college head coaches is simply over $5.45 million this season, up from $4.66 million final season.

2] Playoff growth replace: ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips had loads to say at his convention’s basketball media days, together with on doable School Soccer Playoff growth for the 2024 season. “We’re making an attempt,” he mentioned, per ESPN. “We’re dedicated to doing it. We actually are, throughout 10 conferences and Notre Dame. We really feel actually good concerning the work that is been finished throughout all 10 conferences and Notre Dame these final 5, six months. We’re actually unified in making an attempt to get it finished. It is simply the logistics of this factor are tough. Not insurmountable, however time shouldn’t be a pal of ours proper now. Time shouldn’t be on our facet. There’s plenty of push to attempt to get this factor finished.”

3] Any person’s knockin’, ought to I allow them to in: Amazon Sports activities Vice President of World Sports activities Video Marie Donoghue informed the Marchand & Ourand Sports activities Media Podcast that her firm is “very ” in including school sports activities programming to Amazon Prime. “It could be wonderful to have Thursday night time lead into Friday, doubtlessly Saturday. … We clearly don’t speak about particular negotiations, however we’re going to maintain knocking.” 

4] Cheese teaching wheel: Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh denied a report by FootballScoop.com reported this week that “an especially heated dialog between Paul Chryst and (McIntosh) rested on the basis of the gorgeous transfer,” to fireside the soccer coach. He repeatedly mentioned it wasn’t a “knee-jerk response,” however “got here with plenty of contemplation and was deliberate.”

As for if the remainder of the season is an audition for interim coach Jim Leonard he informed the Wisconsin State Journal: “That’s not a phrase I’d use, truly. I view this proper now — this being maximizing what this season may be for these children — as a precedence, and it’s a precedence that Jimmy and I each share. That’s the place the main focus is correct now. And clearly I’ve loved working alongside Jimmy for years now. Clearly I’ve plenty of confidence in his capacity to step in in a really tough scenario. However that’s what it’s proper now and that’s the place we’re at with it.” 

There’s two explanation why Alabama followers might wish to keep watch over the scenario: 1) Invoice O’Brien‘s title has been talked about for the opening, and the Crimson Tide has the upcoming home-and-home with the Badgers.

5] Summer time hoops: Search for Kentucky coach John Calipari speak up the thought of a summer time league schedule throughout SEC Media Days subsequent week in Birmingham, particularly since groups are on campus anyway. 

“Why not play video games in Rupp Area in opposition to good groups, perhaps groups that gained’t schedule you however now they’ll play you in a summer time sport and folks get to see that, or in opposition to in-state groups, no matter?” he informed The Athletic. “Have it televised on SEC Community. I’ve been pushing for 5 years now that we have to be doing stuff in the summertime to convey mild to school basketball.” 

Tide-Bits

• 4 of Saban‘s former assistant coaches at Alabama have their respective groups within the AP High 25 ballot this week: No. 1 (Georgia, Kirby Good), No. 9 (Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin), No. 22 (Texas, Steve Sarkisian) and No. 25 … James Madison? You might need missed that the 5-0 Dukes, coached by Curt Cignetti, cracked the rankings. Nevertheless, they are not eligible for the postseason as a consequence of a two-year transition interval imposed by the NCAA after they moved up from the FCS stage. 

• SportsBetting.ag set odds on Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia vs. the sector for profitable the nationwide championship, with the three powers listed at -1000, and everybody else at +550. That works out to a chance proportion of 90.9 that Alabama, Ohio State or Georgia wins the title. Individually, Ohio State is 2-1, Georgia 9-4 and Alabama 5-2. 

• Despite the fact that Alabama misplaced to Georgia within the nationwide title sport final season, the Crimson Tide has gained 27 straight regular-season video games in opposition to SEC Japanese Division opponents, relationship again to a 35-21 loss at then-No. 19 South Carolina on Oct. 9, 2010. It is 14-0 on the highway throughout that stretch. 

Did You Discover?

Sports activities Illustrated author Ross Dellenger went to Knoxville early this week to take the temperature of the Tennessee followers. They’re saying it could be the most important sport at Neyland Stadium because the 1998 nationwide championship season. 

It’s Time for Soccer to Kick Butt’: Tennessee’s Revival Faces Greatest Check vs. Alabama

Peyton Manning Will Be Visitor Picker in Tennessee for ‘School GameDay’

School Soccer Bowl Projections

With Hotter Temperatures Come Extra Soccer Deaths

Bonus 

Whereas Alabama is taking part in within the Third Saturday of October rivalry at Tennessee, essentially the most fascinating sport in-state needs to be at Toyota Subject, dwelling of the Rocket Metropolis Trash Pandas. The minor-league baseball stadium has been been transformed for this weekend’s soccer sport between North Alabama and Jacksonville State. 

Mentioned North Alabama athletic director Joshua Looney to the Decatur Every day,: “It’s nice. I believe it’s an enormous step up ahead from the final sport that was performed in a baseball stadium in our league, which was Kennesaw State and JSU in SunTrust in 2018. The infield grime was nonetheless there. The objective posts had been on wheels. That’s a testomony to the town of Madison and the Trash Pandas. If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it proper. The sphere conversion wasn’t straightforward.” 

Nonetheless, “the Lions and the Gamecocks will go in the identical path when on offense, fielding kickoffs or kicking — towards the first-base dugout. The defensive finish zone can be towards left subject.” It is going to be the second Division I sport to have this format, the opposite being the 2010 Illinois vs. Northwestern matchup at Wrigley Subject.

See Additionally:

Take 1: Rivalry Renewed For Alabama and Tennessee? Not Fairly

Take 2: Tennessee’s Good, However Are The No. 6 Vols for Actual?

Take 3: Rating Alabama Future Non-SEC Highway Venues

Take 4: The Numbers Say Alabama’s Offense Higher Than Most Understand

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