Football: Alabama news & links

This morning you’ll find links, a video preview of this week’s big football games outside the SEC and some news from Alabama’s practice. Links first:
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AP College Football Writer Ralph Russo looks ahead to three top games in college football, including No. 4 TCU hosting 16th-ranked Utah. No. 15 Penn State travels to No. 10 Ohio State, while 25th-ranked Stanford is at No. 11 USC.

Crimson Tide Working Hard for MSU Game (update courtesy of UA)
The Alabama football team practiced for two hours in full pads Wednesday afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility as preparations continue for Saturday’s SEC road game at Mississippi State.

“I think when you reach this point in the season, it’s kind of ending one season and starting another, it’s all about what you want to accomplish and how committed are you to it and what does it mean to you so you can continue to do the things you need to do, both individually and collectively as a team,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said after Wednesday’s practice. “The things you can do better individually as a player to help your unit and the team, as well as things we need to do as a team to continue to improve and get better, so we can play better football in this last quarter of the season or whatever you want to call it.

“Mississippi State is a very good team, a very challenging team, a very different kind of offense to prepare for. Our players are working hard on it, but we have a ways to go. They are very aggressive and play hard on defense. This is a good team and they’ve really played well this year and are very much improved and have done a really good job. I am pleased with the way our players have worked.”

Alabama and Mississippi State will kick off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, from Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Miss. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN with Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge and Erin Andrews describing the action. The game will also be aired on the Crimson Tide Sports Network with Eli Gold, Phil Savage and Barry Krauss calling the action. The game can be heard locally in Tuscaloosa on WFNN-FM (95.3 FM).

SABAN SALUTES US MILITARY: Coach Saban acknowledged the work of the men and women who have served, and are currently serving, in the United States Military as the country observed Veterans Day on Wednesday.

“I know it is Veterans Day today,” Saban said. “I’d like to send out a special thanks to all the people out there who have done so much, men and women, serving our country and protecting our freedom. We have a wonderful place to live and I can’t thank them enough and they don’t know how much we appreciate that, more than they know.”

CALDWELL VISITS PRACTICE: Former Alabama center Antoine Caldwell attended practice on Wednesday afternoon as the Houston Texans are enjoying a bye in the NFL this week.

“It was great to have Antoine Caldwell here today to visit practice,” Saban said after practice.

Caldwell was a four-year starter at center from 2005-08 and played in 48 games for the Crimson Tide. He started all 14 games last season, helping Alabama to the SEC Western Division championship with a 12-0 regular season record and a berth in the Sugar Bowl.