Jumbo Package: Alabama gets some much needed rest

With Alabama on a bye week, the coaches also took a break from their usual media appearances. That said, Kalen DeBoer did do a short presser at the Monday Morning Quarterback Club in Birmingham, so we got a few updates.

Injury-wise, it sounds like most of the guys hurt (Racin Delgatty, Ryan Coleman-Williams, Zabien Brown, EJ Crowell) are all hoping to be on track to being back for the LSU game, though DeBoer was as usually vague about things. On the other hand, Will Sanders is going to be out longer with an ankle surgery.

DeBoer addressed Kirkpatrick’s status during the Monday Morning Quarterback Club in Birmingham on Oct. 26, two days after Alabama defeated Texas A&M on Saturday.

“He’s not with us,” DeBoer said. “We have an expectation and a standard in our program and team rules, things that go along with that. There’s still some details that I’m trying to understand, but it’s enough to where we know that’s not how we operate.”

The main thing was that DeBoer confirmed that Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is “not with the team.” AL.com found in the court records yesterday that Kirkpatrick was arrested for harassing communications and doxing.

Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. was arrested Friday on two misdemeanor charges, per court documents obtained by AL.com on Monday.

Court records made public Monday show Kirkpatrick is charged with harassing communications and doxing.

Both crimes are misdemeanors, and bond was set at $300 per charge. Court records do not say which agency arrested Kirkpatrick or provide any additional details.

Minor stuff, but who knows what actually went on. And combine that with the fact that Dre got suspended last winter as well, you have to wonder how many strikes he will get. Alabama’s depth at cornerback is already perilously thin, so losing Kirkpatrick hurts, as it means that Chuck McDonald is now the primary backup in the slot and can’t be a primary backup at outside corner.

Alabama entered Week 8 ranked No. 6 in ESPN’s FPI rankings following its disappointing loss to Tennessee.

However, Saturday’s victory over Texas A&M helped the Crimson Tide climb to No. 5 nationally with an FPI rating of 24.5.

That puts Alabama behind only Ohio State, Notre Dame, Miami, and SEC rival Georgia in the updated rankings.

If you like computer models, FPI still really likes Alabama.

For what it’s worth, Bill Connelly’s SP+ has the Tide ranked 7th.

College football continues to deliver excitement as the Week 9 rankings feature several notable moves, including Alabama’s return to the top 10 and multiple teams making significant jumps.

The Alabama Crimson Tide moved up three spots to No. 10 in the nation after defeating Texas A&M, 31-20. The victory gave Alabama another important win as it continues its push through the season and strengthens its position among the country’s top teams.

Kentucky sits just ahead of Alabama at No. 9. The Wildcats began the season unranked but have surged to a 7-1 record, earning their place among the nation’s elite. Its rise highlights one of the biggest surprises of the season.

And hey, even the AP rankings have Alabama back in the top 10. Win out, and the Tide is probably in. Ideally, having UGA and Kentucky win out would help Alabama’s schedule, and the Tide wouldn’t have to worry about a loss in the SEC Championship, plus you have to think another one or two of the top 8 will lose before the end of the season as well.

Coleman-Williams’ update wasn’t the only win the Crimson Tide received on Monday. The second came from a scheduling reveal, because Alabama will face LSU in a game that is not at night for the first time in more than a decade and a half.

Here’s why that matters. Death Valley on a Saturday night is among the toughest environments in the entire sport to play football in. The crowd, the noise, and the atmosphere have swung this rivalry before, and any team would happily take that variable off the table.

I like this for two reasons. For one, a big game follows later that day between Notre Dame and Miami, and it carries massive implications for Alabama and for the rest of the College Football Playoff picture. Alabama fans will get to watch that game after the Tide wrap up their own business in Baton Rouge.

On top of that, Alabama simply doesn’t have to deal with LSU in Death Valley at night. That alone is a major win for a team heading into one of the most hostile road trips on its schedule.

Finally, the SEC stopped giving LSU preferential treatment for once. Now we get to see if Death Valley can actually be as loud as they claim to be when they don’t get preferred night game scheduling all the time.

Now let’s just hope Alabama doesn’t absolutely fall apart in a hostile stadium again….