Written By: Erik Slaby
(New Orleans, LA) With two more days left before the 2018 Allstate Sugar Bowl, it is clear that players from both sides are ready to play the game and get the show on the road. By the time the teams take the field on game day, Clemson will have not played a game in 30 days while Alabama, will not have played a game in 36 days.
All throughout media day, one could tell that players from both sides were either growing or already were weary of answering the same questions asked 20 different ways. Players were sitting in their chairs shifting about and had an intense look of anticipation on their faces. There has been an enormous amount of hype surrounding this game, and with these teams not having played in over a month, they are ready to get back on the field. Alabama running back Damien Harris mentioned this in speaking about what the team is looking forward to the most.
“We all just look forward to getting back on the field,” said Harris. “We’ve been practicing against each other for a little while now, so it’ll be good to get back on the field and play against somebody else, compete against another great team. We know that this is going to be a great game, we’re playing against a great team, and we’re really excited for the challenge.”
Harris’s teammate, Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley offered his own thoughts on the time off between now and their last game and how it actually might’ve helped the team.
“We definitely had a long time off, but it definitely can help too,” said Ridley. “We needed time to recover. We had some guys banged up. I was kind of banged up. But for us to shake back and get ready, you have to practice hard. And that's what we've been doing, practicing real hard and competing against each other, going hard. And I feel like that's going to help us in the game.”
With this game being in New Orleans though, several players have taken the opportunity to experience what the Big Easy has to offer. Players from both teams have been seen walking around throughout the French Quarter in places like Café Du Monde, Bourbon Street and other areas, soaking in the culture. Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell spoke about the experience in New Orleans and how it has been so far.
“They were not lying, New Orleans is amazing man,” said Ferrell in a very appreciative tone. “It’s been great. There’s something to do on every single street. It’s a different side-act street, dance, restaurant on every single corner of this place. So, it’s been great to see.” He also touched on what has been the most fun thing that he’s done so far here.
“I’m not a big snake guy but yesterday, we ate barbecue at this place and they had a snake lady come up in there,” Ferrell said with an apprehensive look on his face. “So, she had like two pythons. One was wrapped on her head and one she just had in her hand. She gave me the one in her hand and she put it on my head. She was about to take the one (snake) off her hat but I don’t think the one off her hat wanted to perform today as it gave a little hiss.” Ferrell added that, “it was pretty cool to have a snake on me and stuff like that as I’ve never had that.”
Conversely though, Harris stated that he hasn’t really gone out too much in New Orleans. “I was asked the other day, ‘am I having fun in New Orleans?’ I just told them I’m sitting in my room. Every night, just chilling. And they were like, ‘why? Because it’s cold outside?’ And I was just kind of like no… because we have a game on Monday. A big game,” Harris laughed with a look of disbelief on his face.”
While players from both teams have been enjoying what New Orleans has to offer, the consensus feeling from both teams are that they are ready for this game. They have prepared for weeks, put in practice time and film study. Each team is ready to find out if their hard work and preparation will pay off.
The Allstate Sugar Bowl, apart of the College Football Playoff Semifinals, takes place on January 1st, 2018 at 8:45 EST at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
All throughout media day, one could tell that players from both sides were either growing or already were weary of answering the same questions asked 20 different ways. Players were sitting in their chairs shifting about and had an intense look of anticipation on their faces. There has been an enormous amount of hype surrounding this game, and with these teams not having played in over a month, they are ready to get back on the field. Alabama running back Damien Harris mentioned this in speaking about what the team is looking forward to the most.
“We all just look forward to getting back on the field,” said Harris. “We’ve been practicing against each other for a little while now, so it’ll be good to get back on the field and play against somebody else, compete against another great team. We know that this is going to be a great game, we’re playing against a great team, and we’re really excited for the challenge.”
Harris’s teammate, Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley offered his own thoughts on the time off between now and their last game and how it actually might’ve helped the team.
“We definitely had a long time off, but it definitely can help too,” said Ridley. “We needed time to recover. We had some guys banged up. I was kind of banged up. But for us to shake back and get ready, you have to practice hard. And that's what we've been doing, practicing real hard and competing against each other, going hard. And I feel like that's going to help us in the game.”
With this game being in New Orleans though, several players have taken the opportunity to experience what the Big Easy has to offer. Players from both teams have been seen walking around throughout the French Quarter in places like Café Du Monde, Bourbon Street and other areas, soaking in the culture. Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell spoke about the experience in New Orleans and how it has been so far.
“They were not lying, New Orleans is amazing man,” said Ferrell in a very appreciative tone. “It’s been great. There’s something to do on every single street. It’s a different side-act street, dance, restaurant on every single corner of this place. So, it’s been great to see.” He also touched on what has been the most fun thing that he’s done so far here.
“I’m not a big snake guy but yesterday, we ate barbecue at this place and they had a snake lady come up in there,” Ferrell said with an apprehensive look on his face. “So, she had like two pythons. One was wrapped on her head and one she just had in her hand. She gave me the one in her hand and she put it on my head. She was about to take the one (snake) off her hat but I don’t think the one off her hat wanted to perform today as it gave a little hiss.” Ferrell added that, “it was pretty cool to have a snake on me and stuff like that as I’ve never had that.”
Conversely though, Harris stated that he hasn’t really gone out too much in New Orleans. “I was asked the other day, ‘am I having fun in New Orleans?’ I just told them I’m sitting in my room. Every night, just chilling. And they were like, ‘why? Because it’s cold outside?’ And I was just kind of like no… because we have a game on Monday. A big game,” Harris laughed with a look of disbelief on his face.”
While players from both teams have been enjoying what New Orleans has to offer, the consensus feeling from both teams are that they are ready for this game. They have prepared for weeks, put in practice time and film study. Each team is ready to find out if their hard work and preparation will pay off.
The Allstate Sugar Bowl, apart of the College Football Playoff Semifinals, takes place on January 1st, 2018 at 8:45 EST at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.