Applewhite - SMU mention
Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 1:35 pm
Weekend Watch List: Applewhite of Alabama's eye faces giant test
Major Applewhite isn't that far removed from the days when he almost threw down with Oklahoma's Sooner Schooner.
"He's told stories," Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said.
Applewhite has increased Alabama's offense to 414 yards per game. (US Presswire)
The confrontation came in 1999 after what was arguably the high point of Applewhite's playing career. The former Texas quarterback threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns in an epic victory over Oklahoma.
Then came the shouting match with the Schooner drivers in the Cotton Bowl tunnel filled not only with sweaty bodies but with the pungent aroma of the Schooner ponies' poo.
Things are smelling, uh, a little sweeter this weekend. LSU goes to Alabama with Applewhite one of the central characters in the Saban Bowl.
The 29-year-old knows a little something about being a quarterback at a major-college aircraft carrier. He played four years at Texas (1998-2001) becoming somewhat of a Captain Comeback, setting eight school records. Now the apple-cheeked Applewhite finds himself in his first season as Alabama's offensive coordinator.
No pressure there, right?
"He was playing not too long ago and he knows what it's like to be quarterback," said Wilson, who is having a career year taking direction from Applewhite.
"He says that all the time. It's different looking through the facemask. Most of the time he is right."
No matter what happens Saturday, Applewhite will be one of the hottest assistant coaches in the country. His name is already being mentioned for the opening at SMU. Hopefully, he's smarter than that.
When you successfully coordinate Alabama's offense, you deserve better than Death Penalty U.
Wilson is coming off a career day against Tennessee, a game that earned Applewhite offensive coordinator of the week honors from two publications.
Alabama's total offense per game has increased almost 25 percent to 414 yards per game. More important, scoring is up from 23 points last season to 31.5.
"Offensively we were good, we couldn't get anything going," Wilson said. "We were a young team and really didn't know how to win."
That's where Applewhite has come in as a bit of a mad scientist. As Todd Graham's OC last season at Rice, the nation's youngest I-A coordinator oversaw a wide-open attack that produced a school record for points (350) as well as a 1,000-yard rusher and passer.
His star has risen quickly from Texas grad assistant to Syracuse quarterbacks coach (2005) to Rice to 'Bama.
Stars, though, can crash against each other. This week's challenge is against the nation's No. 2 defense coordinator by another rising star, LSU's Bo Pelini.
May the best mad scientist win.
Major Applewhite isn't that far removed from the days when he almost threw down with Oklahoma's Sooner Schooner.
"He's told stories," Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said.
Applewhite has increased Alabama's offense to 414 yards per game. (US Presswire)
The confrontation came in 1999 after what was arguably the high point of Applewhite's playing career. The former Texas quarterback threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns in an epic victory over Oklahoma.
Then came the shouting match with the Schooner drivers in the Cotton Bowl tunnel filled not only with sweaty bodies but with the pungent aroma of the Schooner ponies' poo.
Things are smelling, uh, a little sweeter this weekend. LSU goes to Alabama with Applewhite one of the central characters in the Saban Bowl.
The 29-year-old knows a little something about being a quarterback at a major-college aircraft carrier. He played four years at Texas (1998-2001) becoming somewhat of a Captain Comeback, setting eight school records. Now the apple-cheeked Applewhite finds himself in his first season as Alabama's offensive coordinator.
No pressure there, right?
"He was playing not too long ago and he knows what it's like to be quarterback," said Wilson, who is having a career year taking direction from Applewhite.
"He says that all the time. It's different looking through the facemask. Most of the time he is right."
No matter what happens Saturday, Applewhite will be one of the hottest assistant coaches in the country. His name is already being mentioned for the opening at SMU. Hopefully, he's smarter than that.
When you successfully coordinate Alabama's offense, you deserve better than Death Penalty U.
Wilson is coming off a career day against Tennessee, a game that earned Applewhite offensive coordinator of the week honors from two publications.
Alabama's total offense per game has increased almost 25 percent to 414 yards per game. More important, scoring is up from 23 points last season to 31.5.
"Offensively we were good, we couldn't get anything going," Wilson said. "We were a young team and really didn't know how to win."
That's where Applewhite has come in as a bit of a mad scientist. As Todd Graham's OC last season at Rice, the nation's youngest I-A coordinator oversaw a wide-open attack that produced a school record for points (350) as well as a 1,000-yard rusher and passer.
His star has risen quickly from Texas grad assistant to Syracuse quarterbacks coach (2005) to Rice to 'Bama.
Stars, though, can crash against each other. This week's challenge is against the nation's No. 2 defense coordinator by another rising star, LSU's Bo Pelini.
May the best mad scientist win.