Good morning West Alabama! It is Monday, November 25, 2024.

Monday Morning Observations:

The sun came up yesterday morning. And I'll be darned if it didn't come up again this morning. Life goes on despite the Alabama Football Team's embarrassing loss to a 5-5 Oklahoma team this past weekend.

Problem is that sunshine is creating a dark shadow over Mike DeBose, err, Kalen DeBoer's football team. They were outcoached, outplayed and out desired by a Sooner team that looked more like Barry Switzer's 11-0 1974 team than Brent Venables struggling 2024 squad.

At least in the Vanderbilt and Tennessee loses the Crimson Tide was in the game and had chances to win. In Saturday night's game Alabama was never really in the game after they took the initial 3-0 lead. From that point on, the then #7 ranked Tide was manhandled by unranked Oklahoma. OU was the definite most physical team on the field while Bama looked intimidated and unprepared.

Despite Alabama playing the worst it has since Nick Saban's 2007 team lost to Louisiana Monroe, oddsmakers have the Tide a heavy favorite to beat the surging Auburn Tigers in this weekend's Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny.

The wagering for UA probably is based on the game being at Bryant-Denny instead of the miracle producer that is Jorden-Hare in Auburn. But you can bet the 5-5 Tigers will come into T-Town fired up after Saturday night's four overtime win over Texas A&M and a chance to become bowl eligible with a victory.

Alabama is playing for pride now against their arch-rival but is that enough? Does a win over the cross-state rival mean anything in this day of playoffs, NIL, opt outs and the transfer portal when little but pride and a bowl game are at stake?

This may be the most important game of his career for first year Tide Coach Kalen DeBoer. It may be bigger than last year when he took Washington to the national title game.

Saturday's game will be either abate the criticism for now or light the fire under a cauldron of dissatisfaction.

(Opinions expressed in Morning Briefing are not necessarily those of the ownership, management or staff of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa)


 

Weather:

READ MORE: West Alabama Thanksgiving Holiday Weather Outlook

The Forecast:

Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind around 10 mph.
Tonight
Showers likely, mainly between 9pm and 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Calm wind.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thanksgiving Day
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

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It looks like the residents of Mayfair in East Tuscaloosa have convinced the city to not demolish the pedestrian bridge over Veteran's Parkway East. Tuscaloosa City Council President Kip Tyner says he never trusted the numbers that claimed the walking bridge was not being used.

Residents have said the bridge connects neighborhoods and families and provides a safe way to cross the busy 4-lane parkway.


AAA says today will be one of the busiest travel days ever on our state and nation's roadways. More than 90-million motorists are expected to hit the road beginning today.

Triple-A spokesman Clay Ingram credits gas prices 20 cents lower than this time last year nationwide and 10 cents statewide for the increased highway travel.


Two Habitat for Humanity Houses will be dedicated in honor of Nick and Terry Saban tomorrow at 10:00am at Milestone Circle in Tuscaloosa. The former Tide football coach and first lady have been very active in the Habitat for Humanity program since coming to Tuscaloosa.

The new owners are expected to move into the new homes before Christmas Day.


A Childersburg woman is dead and two other people were taken to the hospital after a head-on collision near Tuscaloosa Saturday. The crash on Alabama 171 near mile marker 13, about 16 miles north of Tuscaloosa took the life of 80-year-old Barbara J Kornegay.  Three other people were injured.


Former Alabama Football Players John and Brodie Croyle were two of the speakers during the chapel dedication at Freedom Farm in the Coker Community Sunday.

Freedom Farm is similar to the Croyle's Big Oak Ranch and welcomed its first family this past weekend after completing state licensing protocols.


Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined several other state's AGs in challenging the legality of transgender women and girls competing in sports.



Topping Sports News:

Oklahoma manhandled Alabama in its blowout win Saturday night and Tide defensive star Malachi Moore said as much, "We needed to be more physical." The Crimson Tide defense allowed the Sooners to record 18 first downs, 62 total plays, 325 total yards, and 34:11 in time of possession, ultimately beating the defense in many areas.
AP TOP 25 POLL:
RANKSCHOOLPOINTSRECORDPREV
1Oregon (61)152511-01
2Ohio State146310-12
3Texas139510-13
4Penn State130110-14
5Notre Dame127810-16
6Georgia12429-28
7Tennessee11109-210
8Miami (FL)109610-111
9SMU100110-113
10Indiana99810-15
11Boise State98410-112
12Clemson7899-217
13Alabama7398-37
14Arizona State7279-221
15Ole Miss6618-39
16South Carolina6398-319
17Iowa State4989-222
18Tulane4469-220
19BYU4459-214
20Texas A&M3998-315
21UNLV2319-223
22Illinois1888-324
23Colorado1618-316
24Missouri1428-3NR
25Army1339-118

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