Jumbo Package: DeVonta Smith gains Heisman momentum

Happy Tuesday, everyone. The SEC Championship will be on the line when Alabama faces Florida on Saturday, but the Heisman trophy will be as well. It appears that the most dominant offensive skill player in America is finally gaining some steam.

“I think Devonta Smith right now, I don’t know if he’s one or two but he’s right there,” Herbstreit said Saturday. “I want to see how things go next weekend in Atlanta. Eighty catches, 1,300 yards, 15 touchdowns. This is an offense that lost (Jerry) Jeudy and (Henry) Ruggs a year ago (and) (Jaylen) Waddle during the Tennessee game, and he just keeps getting better and better. (Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian) and Mac Jones get all the recognition, but my man Devonta Smith is having the best year in the country as far as I’m concerned.”

Alabama will very likely have the top two vote-getters this season, which is incredible for anyone but especially a school that went without a single winner for the first 74 years of the award’s existence. I love Mac and what he has done this season, but DeVonta has to be the man. He has carried the passing game for the past several weeks.

Of course, Jaylen Waddle would likely be getting some Heisman hype had he remained healthy, and he looks to be recovering well.

There are still 17 days until the semifinals.

Alabama basketball saw its upcoming game with Houston cancelled, and will instead play Western Kentucky.

Houston is ranked in the top ten, so this will hurt the strength of schedule a bit. WKU is no slouch, though. The Hilltoppers are 5-2 with wins over perennial NCAA tournament contenders Northern Iowa, Memphis and Rhode Island, and they lost by only six points to #8 West Virginia.

Someone asked Lane Kiffin about the Auburn opening and, as usual, Lane brought the snark.

“I want to say what I learned from my mentor,” Kiffin said, according to the Jackson Clarion Ledger. “If you guys are going to keep asking this, I’m going to have to tell you: I will not be the head coach at Alabama. OK? So stop asking me.”

Word on the street is that Auburn spent $21 million to fire Gus Malzahn and promote DC Kevin Steele to head coach. Their fans would be furious should that happen, and I for one am here for it.

The Ravens took down the Browns on MNF last night, and check out what Marlon Humphrey was up to.

Humphrey’s eight forced fumbles this season ties an NFL record for the most through a player’s first 12 games, with Chicago Bears defensive back Charles Tillman (2012) and New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora (2010). Tillman and Umenyiora each finished the season with 10, tied for the NFL record alongside Colts defensive end Robert Mathis (2013).

Marlon’s nickname is Fruit Punch, which jibes with punching the ball out. He is making quite the name for himself as a larcenist.

In case you missed it, Florida basketball star Keyontae Johnson, voted the preseason SEC Player of the Year, collapsed on the court Saturday and was rushed to the hospital. He was in a medically induced coma but apparently came out of it yesterday afternoon.

We know nothing about what led to his collapse, but are thankful that he has remained stable. Hopefully they are able to get to the bottom of it and he is able to return to full health soon.

Speaking of player health, Antonio Alfano is struggling mightily.

Alfano left Alabama in November of 2019, three months before he started having seizures. May he too find the treatment required to live a normal life.

Last, a little humor for you. If you are in the market for a Honda, the trip to Baton Rouge would be worth getting to deal with this dude.

Easy for Will Wade to make strong ass offers living in the town “where the money reside,” eh?

That’s about it for now. Have a great day.

Roll Tide.