1. Meet Our Finalists - Nick Saban, Alabama

    Image from The Birmingham News

    Saban has compiled a 153-55-1 (.734) record as a college head coach and has gone 60-7 (.896) in the past five seasons in Tuscaloosa, which includes a 35-5 mark in regular-season conference play. In 2012, the Tide reached the 10-win milestone for the fifth consecutive season under Saban.

    Under his guidance, Alabama has remained at the forefront of the college football world in 2012 with an explosive offense and a retooled defense that has remained one of the most dominant units in the nation. The Tide boasts a 12-1 record and a No. 2 national ranking headed into the game against top-ranked Notre Dame. This will be Saban’s third championship game in 4 years.

    At Michigan State, the Sabans started the Nick’s Kids Fund, which they have continued in Tuscaloosa, a vibrant example of their continuing concern for disadvantaged children. Since Nick and Terry arrived in Tuscaloosa, more than $2.5 million has been distributed to more than 150 charities through the Nick’s Kids Fund. The Sabans also built 14 homes with Project Team Up and Habitat for Humanity following the April 27, 2011, tornado that stuck Tuscaloosa. In June of 2008, the Sabans announced a $1 million gift to benefit Alabama’s first-generation scholarship program. The gift has a special meaning to the Sabans as both Nick and Terry were first-generation graduates.

    Information from RollTide.com

    Give Nick Saban your vote for Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year today at www.coachoftheyear.com

  2. The Coach of the Year finalist results are here in!Each of the our 25 finalists are living proof that the complete package of on-field excellence and off-field charity inspires not just only their players and communities, but also the fans nationwide who admire and respect them. See who made it through as finalists, and help us determine which of these coaches in each division deserves to win the award in each division from - now through December 20th by voting at here: http://coachoftheyear.com I-Football Bowl Subdivision: Brian Kelly, Notre Dame Urban Meyer, Ohio State Jim Mora, UCLA Bill O’Brien, Penn State Mark Richt, Georgia Nick Saban, Alabama Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M Dabo Swinney, Clemson Charlie Strong, Louisville I-Football Championship Subdivision Rob Ash, Montana State Willie Ritz, Sam Houston State Joe Moglia, Coastal Carolina Jess Monken, Georgia Southern Danny Rocco, Richmond Division II Mark Maciejewski, Shippensburg (Pa.) Scott Maxfield, Henderson State (Ark.) Bob Nielson, Minnesota Duluth Peter Rossomando, New Haven (Conn.) Jed Stugart, Sioux Falls (S.D.) Division III: Jim Catanzaro, Lake Forest (III.) Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas (Minn.) Pat Cerroni, Wisconsin-Oshkosh Lonnie Pries, Concordia Chicago Steve Staker, Coe (Iowa)

    The Coach of the Year finalist results are here in!

    Each of the our 25 finalists are living proof that the complete package of on-field excellence and off-field charity inspires not just only their players and communities, but also the fans nationwide who admire and respect them.

    See who made it through as finalists, and help us determine which of these coaches in each division deserves to win the award in each division from - now through December 20th by voting at here: http://coachoftheyear.com

    I-Football Bowl Subdivision:

    • Brian Kelly, Notre Dame
    • Urban Meyer, Ohio State
    • Jim Mora, UCLA
    • Bill O’Brien, Penn State
    • Mark Richt, Georgia
    • Nick Saban, Alabama
    • Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M
    • Dabo Swinney, Clemson
    • Charlie Strong, Louisville

    I-Football Championship Subdivision

    • Rob Ash, Montana State
    • Willie Ritz, Sam Houston State
    • Joe Moglia, Coastal Carolina
    • Jess Monken, Georgia Southern
    • Danny Rocco, Richmond

    Division II

    • Mark Maciejewski, Shippensburg (Pa.)
    • Scott Maxfield, Henderson State (Ark.)
    • Bob Nielson, Minnesota Duluth
    • Peter Rossomando, New Haven (Conn.)
    • Jed Stugart, Sioux Falls (S.D.)

    Division III:

    • Jim Catanzaro, Lake Forest (III.)
    • Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas (Minn.)
    • Pat Cerroni, Wisconsin-Oshkosh
    • Lonnie Pries, Concordia Chicago
    • Steve Staker, Coe (Iowa)


  3. Thank you again to everyone who made it to the Twitter chat with Archie Manning. We heard great questions from a lot of you. If you missed it, below is a quick transcript of all the questions and answers.

    Enjoy!

    Q1: What did you think of the play of Johnny Manziel this weekend? Have you seen a bigger freshman performance? Via @RAHealey

    Archie Manning:
    Manziel was outstanding vs. Bama but he’s been good all year. Tremendous player in TX HS. Playing in Coach Sumlin’s system, he’s a great coach. He has definitely put himself in the Heisman conversation.

    Q2: How do you feel about Peyton’s move to Denver? A good move all around? Via @Kerbinkerbin

    Archie Manning:
    We were very excited about Peyton and his family moving to Denver. Indy was a great run - a wonderful 14 years. Even though it was a tough decision for Peyton, we think he made a great decision. Denver loves their football!

    Q3: Archie, thoughts on Bill Snyder winning Coach of the Year? And Klein for Heisman? Via @MikeTyzzy

    Archie Manning:
    Both are strong candidates for both awards. Snyder’s story is great, taking over a dead program at KState and making it successful and then to come back at an older age and do it again is a great story. Klein is having a great year, we saw him this summer at our camp. Not only is he a great QB, he is a great young man.

    Q4: If you were playing today, which conference would you be most intimidated by in terms of top to bottom talent? Via @AndrewTeman

    Archie Manning:
    I have to say the Southeastern Conference, almost half the teams are in the top 10 of the BCS standings.

    Q5: What’s your favorite rivalry in college football?

    Archie Manning:
    My favorite rivalry, personally, I love cross state rivalries. Obviously, first one for me is Ole Miss/Miss St., but there are some great ones across the country. I think the most intense rivalry is Auburn/Alabama

    Q6: We all know you influenced your sons to play football. Did you have a great coach that inspired you to play, Archie? Via @Sean_Flynn

    Archie Manning:
    I had several great coaches that inspired me. My dad loved sports but there were always coaches living in our neighborhood. I grew up by a school and several coaches influenced me and helped me progress in sports.

    Q7: Who are your early favorites for Coach of the Year in each division?

    Archie Manning:
    My early favorites are Bill Snyder-KState; Brian Kelly-ND; Charlie Strong-Louisville; Chip Kelly-Oregon; and Bill O’Brien-PSU for FBS. For FCS, Jeff Monken, Georgia Southern; Willie Fritz, Sam Houston Stat. For D2 – Todd Knight, Ouachita Baptist and Mike Aldrich, Augustana. For D3 – John Thorne, North Central College and Lonnie Pries – Concordia University.

    Q8: What do you think is the greatest play in #CFB history? Via @Sean_Flynn

    Archie Manning:
    Great play in #CFB history in my opinion is the California run through the Stanford band

    Q9: Hey Archie, do you want your grand kids to play football? via @angelsteve89

    Archie Manning:
    If my grand kids have a passion for football, I would love for them to play – even if just junior high or high school level

    Q10: What has been your proudest moment in watching your sons excel in the #NFL? via @KishaT

    Archie Manning:
    Proudest moment as a dad watching my sons, football wise, it has been their Super Bowl wins. But my proudest moment of my boys to date has been when they each had a children’s hospital named after them

    Q11: David Cutcliffe has shaped Peyton and Eli into great QBs. Do you think Duke could be a top-25 team soon?

    Archie Manning:
    I think Duke is trending upward. David Cutcliffe has made unbelievable improvements to their program.

    Q12: Do you call Eli and Peyton every week to talk about defenses? #zoneread via @angelsteve89

    Archie Manning:
    I do not but I do talk to Eli and Peyton every week, just not necessarily about opponents.

    Q13: Who are your Heisman Trophy front-runners?

    Archie Manning:
    My Heisman front runners: Collin Klein, Kansas State; Manti Te’o, Notre Dame; AJ McCarron, Alabama; Kenjon Barner, Oregon

    Q14: For aspiring college and #NFL players, what is the best piece of advice you can give for success in the league? via @KishaT

    Archie Manning:
    My best pieces of advice for success at the NFL and college levels – work hard and maintain a positive attitude.

    Q15: Regardless of the standings, who do you think is the best team in the country

    Archie Manning:
    Not factoring standings, I still think Alabama is the best team in the country.

    Q16: National championship prediction? And who do you think will win? via @MikeTyzzy

    Archie Manning:
    My national championship prediction – I believe Oregon will edge Kansas State for the national title.

  4. xbrokenwishx:

    Roll Tide!!

    Amazing compilation of Bama fans!

  5. No. 1 Alabama and No. 5 LSU will meet for the third time in 12 months tonight in the Tiger Stadium. The teams have combined to win four of the past nine BCS national championships, and they’re 3-3 in their past six meetings. Are you ready for the epic rematch?

    No. 1 Alabama and No. 5 LSU will meet for the third time in 12 months tonight in the Tiger Stadium. The teams have combined to win four of the past nine BCS national championships, and they’re 3-3 in their past six meetings.


    Are you ready for the epic rematch?

  6. Did you know: the visiting team’s locker room in Alabama’s stadium is named after donor James M. Fail, thus, called “The Fail Room.”

    Did you know: the visiting team’s locker room in Alabama’s stadium is named after donor James M. Fail, thus, called “The Fail Room.”

  7. nzenoni: REAL POWER

    nzenoni:

    REAL POWER

  8. Haha! Look at Shelley go!

    rolltidebeatauburn:

    Jeremy Shelley set a new BCS Championship record with 4 FGs in a game. He is tied with UGA’s Billy Bennett for the most FGs in a BCS bowl game.

  9. rolltidebeatauburn: Richardson. Roll Tide

    rolltidebeatauburn:

    Richardson. Roll Tide

  10. Nick Saban has won two championships (one with LSU, one with Bama), and one Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award trophy too! Will he have another trophy to add to his collection after tonight’s game?

    Nick Saban has won two championships (one with LSU, one with Bama), and one Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award trophy too! Will he have another trophy to add to his collection after tonight’s game?

The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award recognizes college football coaches who demonstrate Sportsmanship, Integrity, Responsibility and Excellence both on and off the field. Endorsed by the College Football Hall of Fame, the program awards one winning coach from each NCAA division (I-FBS, I-FCS, II, and III) with $50,000 to donate to a charity of their choice, a $20,000 grant to each school’s alumni association, and the Coach of the Year trophy.