Observations from Alabamaâs open practice before Rose Bowl vs. Michigan
Alabama once again let media into practice for a brief period Saturday, ahead of Monday’s matchup with Michigan in the College Football Playoff’s Rose Bowl semifinal.
— The Tide was practicing on a different field than it was during the last open practice on Thursday. Saturday’s was held on artificial turf at Dignity Health Sports Park, after the Los Angeles area experienced rain on Saturday.potd behind the team’s busses in the parking lot before being let in for the open periods.
— The Tide was practicing on a different field than it was during the last open practice on Thursday. Saturday’s was held on artificial turf at Dignity Health Sports Park, after the Los Angeles area experience rain on Saturday.
—Weather at practice time was 63 degrees and sunny.
— Former Crimson Tide staffer and current Arkansas State head coach Butch Jones was in attendance. Jones stood on the sideline clad in black, chatting with Alabama staff.
— Players went through stretches and warm-up drills in front of reporters.
— Offensive tackle Elijah Pritchett was in attendance. He did not appear with the rest of the roster earlier in the day at the Rose Bowl’s media day availability. Pritchett was arrested before the trip to California, charged with knowingly spreading a sexually transmitted disease before being granted youthful offender status.
— Besides quarterbacks, no players were wearing black jerseys, which signify non-contact practice participants.
— Running back Jase McClellan’s ankle was not wrapped and he was fully participating in the practice.
— Defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis did not appear to be fully participating.
— Despite a CFP rule requiring media be allowed 15 minutes of practice observation, the Crimson Tide ended the session early, after less than 13 minutes according to a Rose Bowl staffer.