Latest news with #IronBowl
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alabama Fans React to Thomas Castellanos' Over Controversial Comments
Alabama Fans React to Thomas Castellanos' Over Controversial Comments originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Alabama Crimson Tide were not themselves last season. For the first time since 2007 — their second season of a dominant 17-year stretch under head coach Nick Saban — Alabama failed to win ten games. Although unprecedented in the program's last decade of performance, it was still a successful season regarding the standards of nearly every other FBS team. Advertisement Alabama went 9-4, tallied three ranked wins, and took down the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl, 28-14. However, one offensive leader believes Alabama's best days are behind them and is counting down the days until he gets to take the field against the Tide. Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen David Mercer-Imagn Images On Monday, Florida State Seminoles transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos made headlines for his thoughts on his team's season opener against Alabama. "They don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me," said Castellanos per ON3's Pete Nakos. Castellanos calls playing Alabama a "dream" but expects a big showing against the 15-time national championship-winning program. Florida State will face the SEC power in Tallahassee in the season opener. Advertisement Naturally, Alabama fans found it odd for Castellanos to expect a strong outing against the Crimson Tide. Last season, Florida State won just two games. Meanwhile, Castellanos-led teams are 9-10 in games in which he has thrown at least ten passes. "Daydreaming, Tommy couldn't even keep the starting QB spot at UCF," said one fan about Castellanos, who is playing for his third school in four years. Another fan suggested that Alabama will win in a blowout, saying, "Alabama alt spread -39.5." "This guy threw for 1366 yards last year, lol," one fan pointed out about Castellanos' lackluster passing stats last season. Advertisement One neutral fan suggested Castellanos not make enemies this summer, saying, "I don't think giving them bulletin board material is the greatest of ideas." Lastly, one fan had a simple one-word response, saying, "Who?" Castellanos transferred to FSU after spending the past two seasons with the Boston College Golden Eagles. He tossed 33 touchdowns against 19 interceptions in 21 games while rushing for 1,307 yards and 14 scores. Related: Nick Saban Does Something He's Never Done Before at Alabama This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Auburn basketball locks in visit with four-star forward Colben Landrew
The four-star forward will visit the Plains during a crucial football weekend. While a lot of attention has been paid to Auburn's recruiting in football, basketball is getting a key future visit as well. Four-star 2026 small forward Colben Landrew plans to visit Auburn during Iron Bowl weekend in November, per a report from On3's Joe Tipton. Landrew plays in Marietta, Georgia, for Wheeler High School, where he helped lead his team to a 7A GHSA State Championship. Landrew is an Alabama native from Alabaster. 247Sports has him as the No. 4 player in Georgia and No. 64 nationally. On3 has Landrew ranked No. 73 nationally. Landrew is not the only small forward the Tigers are interested in for their 2026 recruiting class. They are one of many schools looking to add five-star small forward Anthony Thompson to their roster. Thompson is the No. 9 player nationally for 2026 and No. 3 at small forward. He is from Hudson, Ohio, and attends Western Reserve Academy. The top player in Ohio named the Tigers in his top 15 in April. Auburn could be looking for help at the small forward or wing position in 2026-27. Keyshawn Hall transferred from UCF after the 2024-25 season and should be the Tigers' top wing player. Hall led the Big 12 in scoring this past season with 18.8 points per game. If Hall can replicate his production at Auburn in the SEC, he will be a top NBA Draft prospect next summer. Landrew and Thompson both would be big commitments to give the Tigers top talent at the small forward position. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Phillip on Twitter @PJordanSEC
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama must get big season from this player to return to College Football Playoff: expert
Alabama must get big season from this player to return to College Football Playoff: expert Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer is hoping for a better Year 2 than his debut season in Tuscaloosa. Not that Alabama couldn't have done far worse than a 9-3 regular season that included a thrilling win over Georgia, a blowout victory at LSU, and a fifth straight Iron Bowl win over Auburn. Those and six other victories aren't bad for any new coach to have on his résumé. But it's still Alabama, where high expectations will always be part of the job for any coach (historically, some have understood this better than others). For DeBoer to improve on last year's mark, a trip to the 12-team College Football Playoff is a must. On Thursday, CBS Sports looked at the biggest X-factors for 12 prime College Football Playoff hopefuls. In Alabama's case, analyst Carter Bahns highlighted linebacker Qua Russaw as the player he views as poised to "make or break" the Tide's playoff hopes in 2025. Per Bahns: "The Alabama defense lost some of its identity last season as the pass rushing scheme lacked explosiveness and did not feature the superstar-caliber edge rushers that were cornerstones of the roster under Nick Saban. Someone needs to take a step forward in 2025 for the Crimson Tide to be more than just a mid-tier defensive front. Enter Qua Russaw, who cut his teeth as a redshirt freshman and should be the top option at the "wolf" position in Year 3. He managed just one sack a year ago, and Alabama needs more from the former No. 64 overall recruit." Russaw committed to Nick Saban as a five-star player from Montgomery's Carver High School in 2022. As a redshirt freshman a season ago, he played in 13 games and made six starts while totaling 36 tackles (2.5 for loss) to go with two interceptions. DeBoer has a talented roster heading into 2025, and it's apparent everywhere you look. PFF (Pro Football Focus) ranked the Tide's offensive line as the best in the nation, while the secondary was ranked No. 2 behind Texas. The wide receivers room, led by sophomore Ryan Williams and senior Germie Bernard, was recently ranked by CBS Sports as the third-best unit. That talent will have to carry Alabama back to the College Football Playoff for the season to be considered a success. Alabama opens the 2025 season against Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Aug. 30. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ABC. Alabama football schedule 2025 All times Central. Aug. 30: at Florida State, 2:30 p.m., ABC Sept. 6: vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 6:45 p.m., SEC Network Sept. 13: vs. Wisconsin, 11 a.m., ABC or ESPN Sept. 27: at Georgia, 6:30 p.m., ABC Oct. 4: vs. Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 11: at Missouri, 11 a.m., ABC or ESPN Oct. 18: vs. Tennessee, TBA Oct. 25: at South Carolina, TBA Nov. 8: vs. LSU, prime time Nov. 15: vs. Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 22 vs. Eastern Illinois, 1 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 29: at Auburn, TBA Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
14-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
No love lost: Top five SEC football rivalries that fuel the South's football obsession
No love lost: Top five SEC football rivalries that fuel the South's football obsession Every game during the year is important for Southeastern Conference teams hoping to make the postseason. However, certain dates on the schedule just mean more. SEC rivalries run deep as the Red River that separates Texas and Oklahoma, with each team looking to mark another victory on the calendar. Most importantly, programs are looking to achieve bragging rights for the next year. Rivals in the SEC are not to be played with, as friendships, relationships, and marriages are put on the line depending upon the results of the contest. All jokes aside, there is nothing like a Saturday on rivalry weekend in the South. From fans waiting to break out the cigars in the Alabama-Tennessee "Third Saturday In October" to a golden cowboy hat awaiting the winner in the Red River Rivalry between the Sooners and Longhorns, traditions in SEC rivalries are rich and unique. The real question remains: What are the top five contests filled with the ultimate amount of bad blood, bragging rights, and tears in the league? 1. Iron Bowl - Alabama vs. Auburn Although these two conference powerhouses do not crack the top 10 of most-played rivalries in the SEC, there is no denying the true spite between Auburn and Alabama. Both teams met for the first time on the gridiron in 1892, where the Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide 32-22. After the eras of legendary head coaches Paul "Bear" Bryant and Nick Saban, Bama holds a 51-37 overall record over Auburn. Beyond the wins and losses is a hatred that runs so deep that a man poisoned 130-year-old oak trees at Toomer's Corner in 2010 because the Tigers celebrated a win. Not to mention, Crimson Tide fans treat every loss to their in-state rival like a state of emergency. That is exactly why there is no rivalry in the country like the Iron Bowl. 2. Red River Rivalry - Oklahoma vs. Texas If you were to look up the definition of hate in a dictionary, chances are the Longhorns and Sooners would be at the top. Called the Red River Rivalry for the border that separates the schools, the battle for the gold-plated cowboy hat signifies state superiority. Beginning in 1900, the matchup between the programs is hyped every single year, and for good reason. The Longhorns hold a 64-51-5 overall advantage over the Sooners, but Oklahoma has battled back in the series to win seven contests in the last decade. It's called a border war for a reason, as every single matchup sees a split stadium ready to burst at the seams for any advantage one team has over the other. The "Horns Down" motions do not help matters, which is just another sample of the absolute loathing these two schools have for one another. 3. The Egg Bowl - Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State Well, if in-state hatred is what you strive to see on the last Saturday of the regular season in the SEC, look no further than the state of Mississippi where you will find the third-oldest rivalry in the league. The battle for the Golden Egg Trophy between Ole Miss and Mississippi State has been filled with historic moments and displays of distain for the opposing colors. The Rebels boasts a 66-46-6 record over the Bulldogs, but you can throw all records out the window when it comes to the battle for that shiny egg. Between fights on the field, fans battling in the stands and legendary moments like the missed extra-point after wideout Elijah Moore's infamous leg-lift celebration in the endzone that cost Ole Miss the 2019 matchup, the Egg Bowl is a November tradition unlike most. 4. World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party - Georgia vs. Florida What would a SEC rivalry list be without the greatest cocktail party on the planet? Well, Georgia-Florida games are just that. The war between the Bulldogs and Gators has been honed "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" for a reason, as fans fill the parking lot outside of TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, to indulge in some beverages before entering the stadium to display what they think of their rivals. This rivalry is not for the faint of heart. While Georgia holds a 56-44-2 record over its rival, the Gators dominated the majority of the early 1990s and mid-2000s. The blood that runs through the veins of those that fill the stands and the players, coaching staff and members of the program, are the only common ground Florida and Georgia will find. That might even be a stretch. 5. Lone Star Showdown - Texas vs. Texas A&M Many college football fans considered themselves blessed that the Lone Star Showdown returned last season. The battle for in-state supremacy between Texas and Texas A&M dates back to 1915, and up until 2011, the two faced each other every year. Since the establishment of this rivalry, the Longhorns boast a 77-37-5 overall record over the Aggies, while also claiming seven victories in the last 10 matchups. Like others on this list, this hatred runs deep in every sport and on a daily basis for fans. It is not just a game to residents in the state, it is a lifestyle. With Texas completing the program's first season in the SEC in 2024, there are sure to be more insanely competitive and hostile contests between the two for the foreseeable future. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Auburn Football Makes Announcement on 2025 College Football Season
Auburn Football Makes Announcement on 2025 College Football Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Auburn Tigers officially announced its television windows for all of its games during the 2025 college football season. Advertisement Designated broadcast windows include early (11 a.m. – noon CT), afternoon (2:30 – 3:30 p.m. CT), night (5 – 7 p.m. CT) and flex (2:30 – 3:30 p.m. CT or 5-7 p.m. CT). The Tigers' SEC opener against Oklahoma in Norman – the first matchup in Norman in Auburn program history – received a flex designation, as did home games against Missouri on Oct. 18, Kentucky on Nov. 1 and the Iron Bowl versus Alabama on Nov. 29. Auburn's second road game against Texas A&M on Sept. 27 will begin in the afternoon, between 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. CT. The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry against Georgia on Oct. 11 in Jordan-Hare Stadium will kick off at night (5-7 p.m. CT). The Penn State football team runs out onto the field to take on Rainville via Imagn Content Services, LLC A roast trip to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas on Oct. 25 will kick off early (11 a.m. – noon CT) and an away game at Vanderbilt on Nov. 8 will be an afternoon start (2:30-3:30 p.m. CT). Advertisement Auburn's final non-conference game, vs. Mercer on Nov. 22, will start at 1 a.m. CT. Exact start times and dates are typically announced two weeks ahead of scheduled kick off time, but will be announced no later than a week prior to kick. Last week, Auburn learned its kick off times for the first three weeks, including the season opener at Baylor Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. CT on FOX, Kickoff on The Plains versus Ball State Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU, and Homecoming versus South Alabama Sept. 13 at 11:45 a.m. CT on SEC Network. Related: Auburn Emerges as Contender in Recruiting Battle With Biggest Rival This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
