Alabama Crimson Tide logoIf there is lingering disappointment from Alabama’s stunning loss to Auburn, the Crimson Tide players aren’t showing it.
Alabama has conducted seven on-campus practices for its Sugar Bowl date with Oklahoma on Jan. 2. The Crimson Tide worked out for two hours in full pads Sunday and will practice again this morning before breaking this afternoon for Christmas.
“I think our whole team wants to finish strong, especially for our seniors,” Alabama junior defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan told reporters late last week. “We know the pressure is on, and we don’t want to go out there and get embarrassed or anything like that. We’re trying to get back to Alabama football and dominate our opponent.”
The No. 3 Crimson Tide (11-1), who will reconvene in New Orleans on Friday, are 15.5-point favorites over the No. 11 Sooners (10-2).
Since having an opportunity at a third straight national championship snapped by their state rival, Crimson Tide players have been fielding questions regarding Alabama’s 2008 team that went to the Sugar Bowl and got thumped by Utah 31-17. That team was ranked No. 1 entering the Southeastern Conference championship game, where the Tide lost to Florida 31-20, and this year’s team was ranked No. 1 all season until losing to the Tigers 34-28.