Posted on 12/14/2018 2:03:27 PM PST by blam
Alabama returns to practice today in preparation for a College Football Playoff semifinal with Oklahoma and before he takes the field, Tua Tagovailoa has snagged a cover of Sports Illustrated.
The accomplished sophomore quarterback turned in an impressive season as a first-year starter, becoming the fourth signal-caller of the Nick Saban era to account for 3,000 yards passing (3,353) as he also totals 37 touchdown passes to four interceptions through 13 games.
Tagovailoa guided the Crimson Tide’s offense to 50-plus points in eight matchups, while being responsible for two 60-point games versus Mississippi and Arkansas. He has 42 total scores this season, which is a school record and his 48 scoring passes (career) is tied for second all-time in history.
For the native Hawaiian, he has reinvented the style of Tide football and earning a multitude of accolades along the way. Tagovailoa was recognized as the Southeastern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, Maxwell Player of the Year, Walter Camp Foundation Player of the Year, Sporting News Player of the Year and Polynesian College Player of the Year.
RELATED: Tua Tagovailoa wins Polynesian College Player of the Year award
He is a consensus All-American and a Heisman finalist, following his exploits during the regular season.
Despite sustaining an ankle injury in the SEC title game and playing through pain all year, the team doctors at Alabama cleared Tagovailoa to not have the walking boot on his left leg at the Heisman Trophy presentation.
Since his surgery was not as severe as Jalen Hurts’ was, the former five-star is expected to recover faster and start the contest versus the Sooners on Dec. 29.
He looks to help the Tide repeat(two consecutive) as national champs for the first time since 2011-12.
Regional Cover only.
The name is Samoan or Guamanian, I think.
Samoan
I think you are correct. He grew up in Hawaii, but is not of Hawaiian descent.
Hmmmm. So will the SI Jinx be operable only in the region? They are playing the game in the region of the SEC. Of course, there is a Heisman jinx too.
Word on the street is that Alabama fans are already looking forward to playing in the final game in California. They better take care of business first. The SEC doesn’t fare well against the swash buckling Air Raid offense of OU. As Joel Klatt remarked in the game between OU and West Virginia, that the AR played by these two schools stresses defenses to have to guard every square inch on the football field. The AR spreads the width of the field with 5 receivers in the pattern, and because of respect for the running game, each potential receiver is covered man to man. A deft, quarterback like Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Will Grier, or Patrick Mahomes, etc. only need go through progressions and choose one that is beating his defender. If the defense slides into a zone, or double covers, they open up the running lanes. As Klatt said, playing an AR from OU or WVU requires every inch, both width and length for the distance of the field. Maybe that is why OU has averaged 8.9 yards every play. That includes negative plays, and is because of the seemingly constant homeruns from anywhere on the field.
It is interesting that OU has played teams from the SEC six times from 2010. There are 5 wins and one loss (to Texas A&M). Foes have included a home and home with Tennessee, Auburn, and Alabama. The last three games between OU and Alabama have resulted in Sooner victories. Alabama or Auburn has never held OU under 40 points.
The teams have only played 5 times in history. Joe Namath and the Tide won the 1963 Orange Bowl. That is Alabama’s only victory. There was one tie. The teams had a home and home in the 2000s with OU winning both while Saban was coach for Alabama.
But, that’s why they play the games. Alabama is an outstanding team. I truly hope the four semi-final teams are fully healthy, and stay injury free during the games.
Just sayin’
Gwjack
P.S. Take the 14 points and the over; Tua is pretty good also. BTW, I read a national article that suggested that Jalen Hurts may transfer to OU for his 5th year eligibility next year. But, that assumes that OU will need to reload.
Shows Alabama Teamates around.
There are many videos at the above link
“Graces”? Somebody has a serious crush on him.
“Michael Smith.” Maybe it’s a cover name for a blonde co-ed.
The Scarlet A!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
