Peyton Manning brought a little extra theater to Saturday’s ESPN “College GameDay” setup outside Neyland Stadium, and it ended with a Tennessee fan cashing in on a $1.5 million kick.
During Pat McAfee’s “Kicking is Easy” contest, student Colby Lamb stepped into the kind of moment Vols fans only dream about. Manning handled the setup, and he did it with a pointed Alabama twist.
“Here’s what I want you to visualize, OK?” Peyton Manning told Lamb.
“Actually playing Alabama today, and coach (Nick) Saban is on the other sideline. You know that look on his face when he loses a game?
He throws his headphones down. He has that look like he despises humanity.
He’s so disappointed, disgusted that he lost, OK? That’s what I want you to visualize happening today.
“The last thing is I’ll tell you is we’re on the same team. I got Jamal Lewis in the backfield.
(Receivers) Carl Pickens, Joey Kent on the outside. Jason Witten at tight end.
Here’s the deal: They all want to go for it. It’s fourth-and-3, but I want to kick.
I want kick the field goal because I believe in you.”
Lamb’s first try missed wide right.
But the story wasn’t done there.
“It’s shocking, but coach Saban’s special teams was offsides,” Manning told McAfee. “It’s not like them.
They lost some discipline without him there. It’s fourth-and-1 now, but we’re still going to kick.”
McAfee gave Lamb a second shot at the million-dollar attempt, and this time he made it count. Lamb drilled the kick through the uprights, setting off a celebration with Manning and the Tennessee crowd outside Neyland Stadium.
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Alabama Game Day Is Becoming A Celebrity Stage For Tide Culture
Alabamas game-day scene has become more than just a football backdrop, with recent home dates drawing a mix of former Crimson Tide stars and outside names who have ties to the programs culture. Mark Ingram and Brandon Miller were among the familiar faces in attendance, adding to the feeling that Alabama Saturdays have turned into a reunion as much as a sporting event.
Scott Stapps presence fit that atmosphere, too, given his longtime support of Alabama and his family connection to the program. Kid Rock also made an appearance, and the larger point is hard to miss: Alabama football has become a stage where athletics, alumni pride and celebrity interest overlap, with the music side of that spotlight set to keep building as Creeds performances approach. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Heads Into Mississippi State With New Depth Concerns
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The bigger concern may be the ripple effect on the middle of the defense. Linebackers Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu are already out, which leaves Alabama thinner than it would like at a spot that can be tested quickly in conference play. With depth being pushed and availability still in question for at least one more player, the Tide will have some decisions to make before it lines up against the Bulldogs. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Heads Into Mississippi State With One Lingering Injury Concern
Alabama is getting closer to its trip to Mississippi State with a clearer picture of the injury situation along both lines, though not every answer is in yet. Kalen DeBoer said offensive lineman Jayvin James is questionable, while William Sanders is expected to be ready, which at least gives the Tide some needed depth as they head into another SEC road test.
The bigger concern may still be on the defensive side, where outside linebacker Justin Hill and defensive end Desmond Umeozulu are both out, and Umeozulu is expected to need more time. Safety Zavier Mincey also sat out the previous game after getting hurt in pregame warmups, leaving Alabama with a few moving pieces to monitor as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
