Alabama

Obama may draw 3 to 5 million visitors says the Washington DC mayor. The previous record was LBJ 1.2 million.

This CATV reader email was received from the Press Register:
Free downtown Mobile wireless eyed
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 By DAN MURTAUGHStaff Reporter
The future of downtown Mobile could include people sitting on benches in
Bienville Square, in a bar on Dauphin Street or in a condominium on St.
Louis Street, all opening their laptops to use free, wireless In ternet.Part of a new plan for downtown Mobile is a proposal for the city to
provide a seamless zone of free, broadband-speed wireless Internet access
throughout downtown Mobile.Mobile Mayor Sam Jones said he’s already directed the city’s
telecommunications and technology departments to explore the matter.”That’s something we consider a priority,” Jones said.

(Read the full post about ‘Wireless Mobile in Mobile Excites Mobile Reader’…)

North wind and clear dry skies leave an earthen chill on the ground tonight around 28 degrees.

Nov. 27 and 28 see the real thing as part of a unique Thanksgiving tradition at 9am all day.

The fancy high rise Wind Creek Casino and Hotel on coastal Alabama’s I-65 in Atmore may be just electronic bingo, but you wont know it at first glance as Mississippi gambling and Florida lottery get their first real challenge from the inbetween state of Alabama.

Nick Saban was asked after tonight’s 32-7 victory over Mississippi State about linebacker Rolando McClain’s role in the Thursday night altercation that UA police said yesterday it is investigating.

Here is Saban’s response …

“I want you to know that what he did and what he was involved in will be handled internally as a family. I’m not going to talk about it. We’re still getting information about it. You all don’t have all the facts or you wouldn’t even ask me the question the way you asked it.”

“He played well, and I’m proud of him. I’m proud of the way he played, and I’m proud of the way he represents our team.

(Read the full post about ‘Nick Saban addresses the Thursday night altercation …’…)

A few pregame updates from a chilly, windy Bryant-Denny Stadium …

Tailback Roy Upchurch is dressed and going through a few warmup drills with Alabama’s offense. Upchurch was considered questionable for today’s game with painful spasms in his neck.

It’s a good sign for Alabama that Upchurch ran routes and caught passes, but however, he does NOT look to be going through contact drills. That’s not quite so positive. Regardless, guess we’ll wait and see on that.

In case you’re wondering, all other Alabama starters appear to be present and accounted for at this point.

Enjoy the game while we try to stay warm here in Tuscaloosa.

Getty ImagesYes he can? While it’s a bit off topic from Alabama’s football team, I wanted to pass along some interesting news I have received from CBS’ Jennifer Sabatelle while enduring this long wait before heading over to Bryant-Denny Stadium. President-elect Barack Obama and wife Michelle will appear on 60 Minutes on Sunday night to give an interview during which he repeats his earlier thoughts that, “We should be creating a playoff system” in college football. The interview begins at 6 p.m. “Eight teams,” Obama says. “That would be three rounds to determine a national champion. It would add three extra weeks to the season. You could trim back on the regular season. (Read the full post about ‘Obama says he’ll push for a playoff in college football’…)

MISSISSIPPI STATE (3-6, 1-4 SEC) at No. 1 ALABAMA (10-0, 6-0) 6:45 p.m. Saturday Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa TV: ESPN Reuters Looking for 11-0 … My, these are exciting times for Alabama’s football program. There is the big showdown with Florida in a few weeks that analysts can’t help but talk about already. No matter what, the bowl trip will be top-notch. There is first a very good opportunity to ease that Iron Bowl drought against Auburn. And very quietly, here comes Mississippi State. In accumulating a meek 3-6 record, the Bulldogs have honestly done little this season (a 34-3 loss in Knoxville!?!) to suggest they have the goods to hang with a Crimson Tide team in top form, hince a 22-point spread for Saturday’s game. (Read the full post about ‘Countdown to Mississippi State …’…)

Four misdemeanor charges could be brought against the suspect in a Thursday night altercation being investigated by the University of Alabama Police Department.

The university confirmed today that a football player and two members of Delta Tau Delta fraternity were involved in “a verbal exchange … that escalated into a fight” near Bryant Hall on the UA campus. One student sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment, according to the statement released by UA media relations.

UA officials declined to name the football player or fraternity members, citing federal privacy laws. No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made as of this afternoon.

(Read the full post about ‘More details on the UA police investigation …’…)