TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama breezed through most of its early schedule with lopsided wins and one big comeback.Now, the top-ranked Crimson Tide enters the meat of its schedule with three straight games against Top 20 teams, two of them on the road. The stretch begins Saturday at No. 16 Arkansas, with the Tide then going to No. 9 Tennessee before a home game with No. 8 Texas A&M.The next three weeks will be a grinder, center Bradley Bozeman said Monday.A grinder, indeed. Alabama (5-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) has been tested only once this season, though its taken a quarter or so to get going in several games.That lone challenge, incidentally, came in the only SEC road game so far. Thats when Alabama overcame a 24-3 deficit and a late charge to edge No. 14 Mississippi snare a 48-43 and end a two-year losing streak to the Rebels. Three of the next four are road games, closing with a trip to LSU.`Bama stampeded its only other ranked opponent, then-No. 20 Southern California, 52-6 in the opener at Arlington, Texas. Besides Ole Miss, the Tide has won the other four games by an average of 37.5 points and leads the SEC in scoring offense while ranking second in scoring defense. With seven touchdowns, Alabamas special teams and defense have actually outscored three of the first five opponents.That came against teams like Kent State and Western Kentucky, though. The offense figures to improve along the way with three key freshmen -- quarterback Jalen Hurts, tailback Joshua Jacobs and right tackle Jonah Williams -- banking some experience. Jacobs started in place of an injured Damien Harris (ankle) against Kentucky and rushed for 100 yards.Williams has started every game and Hurts has so clearly solidified the starting job that opening-game starter Blake Barnett left the team and withdrew from school last week.Now comes the toughest part of the schedule, though. After these four games, Alabama faces struggling SEC West opponents Mississippi State and Auburn and FCS team Chattanooga.It really is nothing new since the Tide has faced 53 Top 25 teams since the start of the 2008 season and beaten 41 of them, a .773 winning percentage.Pretty much every year we have a long SEC stretch, so Im pretty used to it now, defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson said.Tide players are also accustomed to tuning out the hype and adhering to Tide coach Nick Sabans message about staying grounded and not being satisfied with your performance.There is room for improvement.The passing game wasnt clicking in the first half against Kentucky. Botched execution also led to a fumble when tailback Bo Scarbrough bumped the arm of quarterback Jalen Hurts.I think our team is making progress, but I think we need to continue to do that and continue to work because every week in the SEC youve got a real challenge and a real test and that certainly wont be any different playing on the road this weekend against Arkansas, Saban said.NOTE: Wide receiver ArDarius Stewart is returning to practice after missing the past two games with a knee injury sustained against Mississippi. Were hopeful that hell be able to get through the week and make the kind of progress he needs to be able to contribute in this game, Saban said.
Sione Takitaki Browns Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year.
Bernie Kosar Browns Jersey . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days.
http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Myles-Garrett-Jersey/ . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep.
Odell Beckham Jr Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming.
Jarvis Landry Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. It hasnt been a kind week for veterans at North Melbourne, but Shaun Higgins has bucked the trend after being named for Saturday nights crunch AFL clash with GWS at Etihad Stadium.Just a day after quartet Brent Harvey, Michael Firrito, Nick Dal Santo and Drew Petrie were told they wouldnt earn new deals for 2017, Higgins was named for his first match since round seven.The 28-year-old had missed the past 14 games after undergoing knee surgery, but the Kangaroos are confident Higgins is ready for a return.Luke McDonald was also included after recovering from a hamstring injury, but Scott Thompson misses with an adductor complaint.The Bulldogs have left Jake Stringer out in the cold for a second straight week, with the forward unable to squeeze into the 25-man squad for Sundays clash with Fremantle in Perth.Stringer tallied 21 disposals and a goal in the VFL last week, but it wasnt enough to earn him a recall.Defenders Dale Morris (hamstring injury) and Matthew Suckling (achilles) return from injury, while ruckman Will Minson and Tom Campbell have been included in the extended squad after Jordan Roughead (calf) and Easton Wood (ankle) were ruled out.The Dockers welcome back Matthew Pavlich for his 353rd and final AFL match, while Aaron Sandilands (glute) also returns amongst a host of changes.Journeyman ruckman Jonathan Giles has won the race to replace injured West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui for Friday nights blockbuster against the Crows at Adelaide Oval.The Crows have recalled Ricky Henderson and Cam Ellis-Yolmen, but will be without suspended midfielder Rory Sloanee and defender Brodie Smith (concussion).ddddddddddddCollingwood have recalled Travis Cloke for what could be his last game in Magpies colours.Cloke, retiring midfielder Brent Macaffer, Tyson Goldsack and Jarrod Witts have all been named in the 25-man squad for Sundays clash with Hawthorn at the MCG, with Darcy Moore (hamstring) forced out.Hawthorn have named ruckmen Jack Fitzpatrick and Marc Pittonet as they attempt to find a way to replace Jonathon Ceglar (knee).Hawks premiership forward Ryan Schoenmakers has been named for the first time since round three, after overcoming a groin injury.Sydney have been bolstered by the return of co-captain Kieren Jack (ankle), but Callum Mills (calf) will miss Saturdays clash with Richmond.Buddy Franklin has been passed fit to play despite battling a hip injury last week.The Tigers will unveil Sudanese-born big man Mabior Chol for his debut.Geelong have been boosted by the return of key trio Jimmy Bartel, Josh Caddy and Daniel Menzel for Saturdays encounter against Melbourne.Brendon Goddard returns for Essendons match against Carlton, but Adam Cooney drops out after playing his retirement match last week.Gold Coast were dealt three more injury blows when Jarrod Harbrow (hand), Sean Lemmens (concussion) and Jarrod Garlett (shoulder) were all ruled out of Saturdays home match against Port Adelaide.St Kilda welcome back Sam Fisher against Brisbane, but Paddy McCartin drops out with a broken collarbone. ' ' '
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama breezed through most of its early schedule with lopsided wins and one big comeback.Now, the top-ranked Crimson Tide enters the meat of its schedule with three straight games against Top 20 teams, two of them on the road. The stretch begins Saturday at No. 16 Arkansas, with the Tide then going to No. 9 Tennessee before a home game with No. 8 Texas A&M.The next three weeks will be a grinder, center Bradley Bozeman said Monday.A grinder, indeed. Alabama (5-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) has been tested only once this season, though its taken a quarter or so to get going in several games.That lone challenge, incidentally, came in the only SEC road game so far. Thats when Alabama overcame a 24-3 deficit and a late charge to edge No. 14 Mississippi snare a 48-43 and end a two-year losing streak to the Rebels. Three of the next four are road games, closing with a trip to LSU.`Bama stampeded its only other ranked opponent, then-No. 20 Southern California, 52-6 in the opener at Arlington, Texas. Besides Ole Miss, the Tide has won the other four games by an average of 37.5 points and leads the SEC in scoring offense while ranking second in scoring defense. With seven touchdowns, Alabamas special teams and defense have actually outscored three of the first five opponents.That came against teams like Kent State and Western Kentucky, though. The offense figures to improve along the way with three key freshmen -- quarterback Jalen Hurts, tailback Joshua Jacobs and right tackle Jonah Williams -- banking some experience. Jacobs started in place of an injured Damien Harris (ankle) against Kentucky and rushed for 100 yards.Williams has started every game and Hurts has so clearly solidified the starting job that opening-game starter Blake Barnett left the team and withdrew from school last week.Now comes the toughest part of the schedule, though. After these four games, Alabama faces struggling SEC West opponents Mississippi State and Auburn and FCS team Chattanooga.It really is nothing new since the Tide has faced 53 Top 25 teams since the start of the 2008 season and beaten 41 of them, a .773 winning percentage.Pretty much every year we have a long SEC stretch, so Im pretty used to it now, defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson said.Tide players are also accustomed to tuning out the hype and adhering to Tide coach Nick Sabans message about staying grounded and not being satisfied with your performance.There is room for improvement.The passing game wasnt clicking in the first half against Kentucky. Botched execution also led to a fumble when tailback Bo Scarbrough bumped the arm of quarterback Jalen Hurts.I think our team is making progress, but I think we need to continue to do that and continue to work because every week in the SEC youve got a real challenge and a real test and that certainly wont be any different playing on the road this weekend against Arkansas, Saban said.NOTE: Wide receiver ArDarius Stewart is returning to practice after missing the past two games with a knee injury sustained against Mississippi. Were hopeful that hell be able to get through the week and make the kind of progress he needs to be able to contribute in this game, Saban said. Sione Takitaki Browns Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Bernie Kosar Browns Jersey . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Myles-Garrett-Jersey/ . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. Odell Beckham Jr Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Jarvis Landry Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. It hasnt been a kind week for veterans at North Melbourne, but Shaun Higgins has bucked the trend after being named for Saturday nights crunch AFL clash with GWS at Etihad Stadium.Just a day after quartet Brent Harvey, Michael Firrito, Nick Dal Santo and Drew Petrie were told they wouldnt earn new deals for 2017, Higgins was named for his first match since round seven.The 28-year-old had missed the past 14 games after undergoing knee surgery, but the Kangaroos are confident Higgins is ready for a return.Luke McDonald was also included after recovering from a hamstring injury, but Scott Thompson misses with an adductor complaint.The Bulldogs have left Jake Stringer out in the cold for a second straight week, with the forward unable to squeeze into the 25-man squad for Sundays clash with Fremantle in Perth.Stringer tallied 21 disposals and a goal in the VFL last week, but it wasnt enough to earn him a recall.Defenders Dale Morris (hamstring injury) and Matthew Suckling (achilles) return from injury, while ruckman Will Minson and Tom Campbell have been included in the extended squad after Jordan Roughead (calf) and Easton Wood (ankle) were ruled out.The Dockers welcome back Matthew Pavlich for his 353rd and final AFL match, while Aaron Sandilands (glute) also returns amongst a host of changes.Journeyman ruckman Jonathan Giles has won the race to replace injured West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui for Friday nights blockbuster against the Crows at Adelaide Oval.The Crows have recalled Ricky Henderson and Cam Ellis-Yolmen, but will be without suspended midfielder Rory Sloanee and defender Brodie Smith (concussion).ddddddddddddCollingwood have recalled Travis Cloke for what could be his last game in Magpies colours.Cloke, retiring midfielder Brent Macaffer, Tyson Goldsack and Jarrod Witts have all been named in the 25-man squad for Sundays clash with Hawthorn at the MCG, with Darcy Moore (hamstring) forced out.Hawthorn have named ruckmen Jack Fitzpatrick and Marc Pittonet as they attempt to find a way to replace Jonathon Ceglar (knee).Hawks premiership forward Ryan Schoenmakers has been named for the first time since round three, after overcoming a groin injury.Sydney have been bolstered by the return of co-captain Kieren Jack (ankle), but Callum Mills (calf) will miss Saturdays clash with Richmond.Buddy Franklin has been passed fit to play despite battling a hip injury last week.The Tigers will unveil Sudanese-born big man Mabior Chol for his debut.Geelong have been boosted by the return of key trio Jimmy Bartel, Josh Caddy and Daniel Menzel for Saturdays encounter against Melbourne.Brendon Goddard returns for Essendons match against Carlton, but Adam Cooney drops out after playing his retirement match last week.Gold Coast were dealt three more injury blows when Jarrod Harbrow (hand), Sean Lemmens (concussion) and Jarrod Garlett (shoulder) were all ruled out of Saturdays home match against Port Adelaide.St Kilda welcome back Sam Fisher against Brisbane, but Paddy McCartin drops out with a broken collarbone. 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