Mike's Corner

*Alabama is ranked in the Top 10 of the AP poll for the first time since the 2002 season. The No. 7 ranking is Alabama’s highest in the AP poll since opening the 2000 season as the No. 3 ranked team.
• The 2005 season marks the fourth time (1959, 1960, 2002 and 2005) in school history that Alabama opened the season unranked and then cracked the AP Top 10.
• Senior quarterback Brodie Croyle was named National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Foundation.
• Croyle was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
• Senior defensive end Mark Anderson was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after the Crimson Tide’s win over Florida. Anderson had four tackles (1 1/2 sacks), forced a fumble on the first play of the game and added three QB pressures. One of his break-ups resulted in a Chris Harris interception that was returned to the Gator two yard line. Anderson was instrumental in helping the Tide defense keep the Florida Gators out of the end zone for the first time since 1992.
• Croyle’s 87-yard TD pass to Tyrone Prothro was nominated as the Pontiac Game Changing Performance on ESPN. The winner will be announced Thursday night at halftime of the NC State-Georgia Tech Game.
• Croyle and Prothro both received helmet stickers from ESPN studio host Rece Davis on Saturday night’s College Gameday Final.