Los Angeles Times

Bill Plaschke: When the Tide rolls, these guys are only along for the ride

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The arena floor that houses the CFP national championship media day is arranged like the cliques in a high school cafeteria.

The stars and important coaches sit on stages. The rest of the offense, defense, special teams and coaching staff are given their groups of tables.

The big names attract all the cameras and microphones. The lesser names are surrounded by notebooks and tape recorders.

For Alabama on Saturday at SAP Center, there was one group that sat alone.

Their table was full, but empty. Their table was in the middle of the room, but completely invisible.

The eight young men sitting there play, but they don't play. They are wearing soft white Alabama sweatsuits

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