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Crimson Tikes: Close Call

A different way at looking at all things Alabama athletics through the eyes of Anthony Sisco

You know, we weren't going to say anything. 

After all, the last time Southern California played Alabama in 2016, the game was a blowout. In the same setting as this year's marquee season opener, AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas, the Crimson Tide embarrassed the Trojans, 52-6. 

We're not sure why USC wanted a rematch, maybe it had something to do with a $6 million payout, but we were going to give the Trojans the benefit of doubt. 

That is until last week, when the Pac-12 followed the Big Ten by going to a conference-only schedule this season due to the coronavirus pandemic (the SEC says it won't consider such a move until it has to at the end of the month). 

USC wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown posted on Twitter: “Oooooo how I wanted Bama …” 

Of course, he wasn't on the USC team in 2016. 

Among the reactions to his post was this simple one from former Crimson Tide linebacker Anfernee Jennings: "Lol"

Maybe behind the scenes USC's reaction to not having to face Alabama again was something more like this ... 

Crimson Tikes: Close Call

"Crimson Tikes" is the brainchild of Anthony Sisco, who is passionate about all things Crimson Tide. Although his career paths have taken him in different directions, the cartoon centered around Alabama athletics has been a labor of love for the past few years.

Originally out of Huntsville, his background includes two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Monterrey, Calif.; plus 30 years of full and lay ministry that stretched from Atlanta all the way up to New England. Mix in 20 years of various entrepreneurial pursuits and you’ll see hints of what he describes as spiritual insights and philosophical musings, all with a Peanuts-type approach to the Crimson Tide.”

Sisco has already compiled two books "Crimson Tikes - The Tradition Rolls On" and Crimson Tikes: Bouncing Back," both of which were published by Hilltop30 Publishers LLC. The books can be found at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com, but we recommend ordering copies straight from the author at www.anthonysisco.com.

If you're really nice he might even autograph it for you.

Crimson Tikes will be a regular Friday feature on BamaCentral, and when there's a lot going on you might see posts on other days as well.

Although Sisco still loves to visit Tuscaloosa whenever possible (the self-described lifelong zealot of Alabama football considers the campus "hallowed ground" — we didn't ask him what he calls Bryant-Denny Stadium) he and his wife live in Hickory Flat, Ga., where they raised two kids and a multitude of pets. He attended Alabama through its distance learning program to study writing and literature.