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Michael Casagrande

@bycasagrande.bsky.social

1.1K followers 54 following 150 posts

Senior sports reporter at AL.com. Covering college sports since 2009. WKU grad. Respecter of all teams. https://www.al.com/staff/mcasagrande/posts.html

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Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · 20h

Going through some old Alabama-Tennessee pics and found this video from 2014 with a hall of fame coach and three current head coaches of top 10 teams.

Reposted by Michael Casagrande

AL.com @al.com · 22h

"A big night and win over [Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson's] home state Vols would be a fourth straight win over a ranked team. None of the other contenders has or will face a stretch like that," columnist @byCasagrande.bsky.social writes.

"It doesn’t let up, either."

Casagrande: Ty Simpson’s case for the Heisman

Why Ty Simpson has the most opportunity to rise to the top in the 2025 Heisman Trophy race.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · 9d

For the first time since 2001, Auburn will have just 6 home games next year. The fans deserve better than shipping home dates to Atlanta. www.al.com/auburnfootba...

Casagrande: Auburn sells out its loyal fans

Auburn yanked a home game away from loyal fans who show up despite the mediocrity on the field.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · 11d

Alabama couldn’t let that yapping stand from another opposing QB. It didn’t. www.al.com/alabamafootb...

Casagrande: Alabama needed to shut a big mouth

Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt had a lot to say before Saturday before Alabama made the Commodores eat those words.

Reposted by Michael Casagrande

AL.com @al.com · 14d

"Auburn’s offense is bad," columnist @byCasagrande.bsky.social writes. "Statistically, it’s one of the worst offenses in the nation." Do you agree?

Casagrande: How bad is Auburn’s offense? It’s unacceptable

Auburn had preseason optimism centered around its retooled offense. Since then, regression instead of progress leaves the Tigers in a tricky spot entering its first open week.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · 15d

To have an offensive guru as the head coach, there's only one word to describe Auburn's offense. The numbers are stunning. www.al.com/auburnfootba...

Casagrande: How bad is Auburn’s offense? It’s unacceptable

Auburn had preseason optimism centered around its retooled offense. Since then, regression instead of progress leaves the Tigers in a tricky spot entering its first open week.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · 16d

The Tractor Trailer should be Alabama’s answer to the Tush Push. My column: www.al.com/alabamafootb...

Casagrande: Be legendary. Make Kadyn Proctor’s Tractor Trailer the Alabama tush push

Alabama shouldn't let Kadyn Proctor's rumble be just a cameo. Feed him the rock. Make the Tractor Trailer a feature of the offense moving forward.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · 17d

Thank you!

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · 18d

A mother’s love and her son’s dream night. The emotional moment after Alabama’s big win at Georgia when Ty Simpson got a big hug from his mom. www.al.com/alabamafootb...

A mother’s tears, her son’s embrace. A perfect moment caps Ty Simpson’s dream night

The moment Ty Simpson embraced his mother outside the Alabama locker room was simply beautiful. After a wild month, the tears flowed as they celebrated a huge road win over Georgia.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · 21d

Georgia will be favored for a fifth straight time against Alabama when they meet Saturday. They are 1-3 in the first four. www.al.com/alabamafootb...

Casagrande: Kirby Smart can’t blow it again against Alabama? Right?

Who really has the pressure when Alabama travels to Georgia?

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · 24d

Pearl retired. Pearl hired.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · 28d

Break out the Ouija board. www.al.com/alabamafootb...

Casagrande: Another Alabama-Georgia blackout? Fan campaign tests curse of 2008 funeral

Georgia students are pushing for a blackout game when Alabama visits Sept. 27. Do we need to tell them?

Reposted by Michael Casagrande

AL.com @al.com · Sep 9

"This transition was always going to require a little bit of runway," columnist @byCasagrande.bsky.social writes, "even if it’s marked by more potholes than what would have been tolerable for the previous decade and a half."

Casagrande: Relax, Alabama. Give Kalen DeBoer a chance and step off the ledge

Let's take a minute to zoom out and look at the Alabama football program with a rational mindset.

Reposted by Michael Casagrande

AL.com @al.com · Sep 4

Columnist @bycasagrande.bsky.social writes that Alabama coach Kalen “DeBoer’s been a winner everywhere he’s coached. But everywhere isn’t Tuscaloosa. Straight up, he’s losing the benefit of the doubt.” Do you agree?

Casagrande: What it will take for Kalen DeBoer to thaw frozen Alabama hearts

The mob is coming for Kalen DeBoer after a listless Alabama effort at FSU and an uninspiring response. So what will it take to win back a fanbase that's quickly turning on the second-year head coach?

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · Sep 4

The rage is simmering but let's talk about the other side of this Kalen Deboer dilemma. What will it take to calm the mob? Thaw the frozen hearts? www.al.com/alabamafootb...

Casagrande: What it will take for Kalen DeBoer to thaw frozen Alabama hearts

The mob is coming for Kalen DeBoer after a listless Alabama effort at FSU and an uninspiring response. So what will it take to win back a fanbase that's quickly turning on the second-year head coach?

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · Sep 3

Why some seats revoked from longtime Alabama season ticket holders are showing up on resale sites for big markups. A deep look at the complex Tide ticket business. www.al.com/alabamafootb...

Alabama revoked football tickets, disrupted shadow market and quietly built its own

Alabama in January began revoking football season tickets from fans it believed was selling all their seats to ticket brokers. What happened to those tickets and who is profiting from the sales?

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · Sep 2

Washed.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · Aug 26

The 247Sports talent index was released today as a temperature check of who has the best recruits on the roster.

Reposted by Michael Casagrande

AL.com @al.com · Aug 23

"Auburn played its own Santa Claus ... dropping down the chimney with seven new national championships," columnist @ByCasagrande.bsky.social writes.

Casagrande: The beauty of Auburn discovering trove of new football national championships

Auburn is now a 9-time national championship program. Just ask them.

Reposted by Michael Casagrande

AL.com @al.com · Aug 22

"It only took 12 years but the SEC finally got this one right," writes columnist @byCasagrande.bsky.social.

Casagrande: The SEC finally got it right 12 years after Nick Saban saw the future

Nick Saban wanted the SEC to play nine conference football games. That was in 2013. More than a decade later, the SEC got it right.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · Aug 20

Auburn reminded us again today why college football the greatest by dressing up like Santa and delivering itself more national championships. A time-honored tradition. www.al.com/auburnfootba...

Casagrande: The beauty of Auburn discovering trove of new football national championships

Auburn is now a 9-time national championship program. Just ask them.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · Aug 19

“Back in my day…” www.al.com/alabamafootb...

Saban says McElroy’s unretirement talk ‘would have got his ass kicked’ as Alabama player

The Nick Saban Legacy Awards honored legends Pat Dye and David Cutcliffe but Saban got big laughs when asked about speculation on his career.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · Aug 7

Candid talk about the difference between Saban and Kalen DeBoer from Alabama players who spanned both eras. www.al.com/alabamafootb...

Alabama players open up on differences between Nick Saban, Kalen DeBoer

Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer have different coaching styles. That's obvious. Alabama players who were around for both explain exactly how that looks behind the scenes.

Reposted by Michael Casagrande

AL.com @al.com · Jul 30

Today is a big day, columnist @ByCasagrande.bsky.social writes: "We can finally talk about the actual sport of football."

Casagrande: Why it’s time to celebrate at Alabama, Auburn

The best day of the year is about to dawn in the state of Alabama.

Michael Casagrande @bycasagrande.bsky.social · Jul 30

"You need length and girth in this league." -- Hugh Freeze.