The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 03, 2004, Opponents 2004, Image 17

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GAME 5 Crimson Tide prepare to roll EBy WES WOLFE THE GAMECOCK After an unusual start to the season last year, Alabama has one more oddity to overcome this season. Legion Field in Birmingham, which has hosted innumerable Iron Bowls, Alabama-Tennessee games and other Alabama games over the past 75 years, will no longer be a home -|-g^ away from home for the Saturday Crimson Tide because the Oct. 2 9,000-seat upper deck was Bryant- declared unsafe earlier this Denny month. Stadium However, for Bama the loss of Legion Field is the least of the team’s worries. While Alabama is eligible for postseason play this year, scholarship restrictions are left over from the Mike DuBose era (1997-2000). As a result of good recruiting, though, the Tide is high on talent but low on depth. Several true freshmen are expected to get significant playing time, especially a new corps of talented wide receivers. Since Steve Spurrier introduced a high-powered passing game to the SEC, rumors have floated around Alabama’s preseason training that the Tide would start throwing the ball more. This . year is no different, with five freshman wide-outs — Keith Brown, D.J. Hall, Ezekial Knight, Will Oakley and Marcel Stamps — looking to make an impact with a team that threw for just 12 yards during the Southern Miss game last season. According to the Birmingham Post Herald, Brown, Hall and Knight should get considerable playing time in Bama’s opener against Utah State. Since only one starter at wide receiver is returning this year, the freshmen will need to step up for the Tide to use its bread-and-butter — the running game. With the departure of Shaud Williams, Bonifay, Fla.’s Ray Hudson will take over the spot of starting running back this year. Hudson has worked hard to move into the top spot and has drawn praise from former USC head coach Sparky Woods. “I came here, and he was the fourth team tailback,” Woods, the Alabama running ♦ Please see ALABAMA, page 12 JASON GETZ/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS University of Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle throws a pass during UA’s final scrimmage at Bryant:Denny Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Croyle is a three-year starter for UA.