Clan-Members » Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of Franc

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama is in familiar territory and not just because of a quick return trip to Atlanta.For the third time in six seasons the top-ranked Crimson Tide head into the playoffs -- or previously into the BCS national championship game -- with a coordinator preparing to leave for a head coaching job. This time, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is leaving to take over at Florida Atlantic after `Bamas season ends.Alabama (13-0) faces No. 4 Washington (12-1) in a semifinal game on Dec. 31 at the Georgia Dome.It wasnt an issue before: Jim McElwain left after the 2011 season to take over at Colorado State. Alabama beat LSU 21-0 in the title game.Kirby Smarts imminent departure for Georgia didnt impede a championship run last season.Now, its Kiffins turn to pull double duty and prepare for at least one more game while starting to work on recruiting and assembling a staff at Florida Atlantic.Hes done a great job here molding our offensive players to what they can do to have the best chance to be successful, and I think thats always something that is very telling about the quality of a coach, Tide coach Nick Saban said Monday.Saban said FAU has selected someone thats going to do a great job for them but he declined to take questions about Kiffins hiring, which hadnt been formally announced by Florida Atlantic. He spoke at a news conference Monday with Peach Bowl officials.Alabama starts practice on Friday before returning to Atlanta, where they beat Florida 54-16 in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 3. The Tide is well acquainted with the Georgia Dome.The Crimson Tide has won seven straight games at the Georgia Dome and eight of nine overall under Saban. That includes a 4-0 record in Kickoff Classics and 4-1 in SEC title games.It also was the site of Sabans first really big win at `Bama. The Tide upset No. 9 Clemson 34-10 to start the 2008 season en route to a surprising 12-0 regular season.Saban still feels that win was a launching pad in helping restore the program to national prominence.We were a relatively unknown program when we played Clemson, he said. They were ranked in the Top 10 if I recall correctly, and we had a pretty dominant performance in that game. And I actually think that game probably did as much to launch this program forward as any game or anything that we ever did. We took a little bit of a risk in playing a game like that against a very, very good team and a good program that was highly ranked.We were happy to have the opportunity to do it.Game notesCornerback Marlon Humphrey has been doing rehab on a right leg injury that sidelined him from the SEC championship game. Saban is hoping Humphrey will be able to fully participate in practice. With the type of injury he has, Im not sure well know for sure what his status will be until we start practicing again, Saban said. But were hopeful that this is the type of injury that just rest will be very beneficial to him and that he will be able to participate fully when we get back to practice.---More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 .Toronto Blue Jays Store . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. Toronto Blue Jays Gear . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/ . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Wholesale Blue Jays Jerseys . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. Blue Jays Jerseys China . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2.(STATS) -- The Bethune-Cookman-South Carolina State and Morgan State-Savannah State football games that were postponed this week due to the threat of Hurricane Matthew have been rescheduled for Nov. 26, the MEAC announced Friday.The games were originally scheduled for Saturday. Kickoff times for the makeups in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, have yet to be announced.I would like to commend the officials from the four institutions affected by Hurricane Matthew for working together to facilitate the change in dates, MEAC commissioner Dr.ddddddddddddDennis E. Thomas said. Our top priority is the well-being and safety of the student-athletes, coaches, athletic staff, ancillary units and our fans. ' ' '