COLLEGE FOOTBALL / THE BOWLS : CITRUS ALABAMA vs. OHIO STATE, Today : A Metamorphosis in Tuscaloosa

Is it everyone’s imagination or is Alabama Coach Gene Stallings trying to transform himself into legendary Crimson Tide Coach Bear Bryant? The Bear’s legend was much more attractive than the man. He was crude, a curmudgeon, and spoke in a low mumble. He answered questions in short phrases.

It seems as if Stallings voice has dropped an octave or two since he left as coach of the Phoenix Cardinals. And he is getting more difficult to understand.

When asked if he has a feel for the game against the Buckeyes, Stallings responded: “I do.”

Asked what that feeling was, he said: “A sick feeling.”

He was then asked to explain: “The more I look, the bigger they look.”

And, then, in a fit of verbosity, he offered a comment without a question: “I should quit looking.”

At least he’s not crude and doesn’t wear a houndstooth hat.

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NBC reported Sunday that Stallings will be interviewed for the Houston Oiler coaching job, currently held by Jeff Fisher.