Michael Casagrande
@bycasagrande.bsky.social
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
https://www.al.com/staff/mcasagrande/posts.html
Ever parented a 2-year-old? Then the 2025 Alabama football experience should bring back memories. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Casagrande: Alabama football is a messy 2-year-old
The 2025 Alabama football season has been a classic case of the Terrible Twos. Let me explain.
www.al.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Ever parented a 2-year-old? Then the 2025 Alabama football experience should bring back memories. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
What took so long? www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Casagrande: What took Kalen DeBoer so long to end Michigan chatter?
Speculation about the Michigan job grew with every day that passed without word from Kalen DeBoer.
www.al.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
What took so long? www.al.com/alabamafootb...
The guy who will probably win the Heisman tomorrow was once offered a walk-on spot at Alabama. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Casagrande: The Heisman favorite who turned down Alabama walk-on offer
Fernando Mendoza was once the No. 2,149th-ranked recruit in the nation. Alabama offered him a walk-on role. On Saturday, he'll likely win the Heisman Trophy.
www.al.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The guy who will probably win the Heisman tomorrow was once offered a walk-on spot at Alabama. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
A column I definitely won’t regret writing. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Casagrande: Alabama, the Cinderella of the College Football Playoff?
A fairy tale run for the forgotten Crimson Tide? It's possible.
www.al.com
December 7, 2025 at 9:38 PM
A column I definitely won’t regret writing. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
That was bad. For a few reasons. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Casagrande: Alabama’s worst-case scenario and the playoff doomsday it created
All Alabama had to do was not embarrass themselves. They did.
www.al.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:32 AM
That was bad. For a few reasons. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Good work. I’m proud of you. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Casagrande: The surprising answers to a simple Iron Bowl question
A question posed on social media almost felt like a joke. It turned out to warm this cold heart.
www.al.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Good work. I’m proud of you. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
A low-energy effort to arrest a Bryant-Denny field stormer summed up Alabama’s night. The job was eventually done but nobody was impressed with the process. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Casagrande: A low-energy field intruder summed up Alabama’s unimpressive win over LSU
Meh.
www.al.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM
A low-energy effort to arrest a Bryant-Denny field stormer summed up Alabama’s night. The job was eventually done but nobody was impressed with the process. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Auburn failed with two straight coaching hires. It can’t afford another. www.al.com/auburn/2025/...
Casagrande: Auburn froze over, can’t afford another failed hire
Auburn keeps failing with football coaching hires, even the slam-dunk it seemingly had with Hugh Freeze.
www.al.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Auburn failed with two straight coaching hires. It can’t afford another. www.al.com/auburn/2025/...
They said I'm too negative. My response. www.al.com/auburnfootba...
Casagrande: Saying something nice about Auburn football
Perhaps I've been a little harsh on Auburn football, so we found something nice to say.
www.al.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:44 PM
They said I'm too negative. My response. www.al.com/auburnfootba...
Feels good to be right for a change. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Casagrande: I was right about Alabama football panic
Negativity around Alabama football was contagious in early September, but one columnist told everyone to calm down. It was me.
www.al.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Feels good to be right for a change. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Perhaps Auburn will one day build a statue of Hugh Freeze. If they do, it should go across the street from Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Because it’s so close.
www.al.com/auburnfootba...
Because it’s so close.
www.al.com/auburnfootba...
Casagrande: Don’t blame Hugh Freeze
Hugh Freeze offered a new list of excuses with a few greatest hits Monday.
www.al.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Perhaps Auburn will one day build a statue of Hugh Freeze. If they do, it should go across the street from Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Because it’s so close.
www.al.com/auburnfootba...
Because it’s so close.
www.al.com/auburnfootba...
It’s time, Auburn. www.al.com/auburnfootba...
Casagrande: Hugh Freeze looks tired. It’s time for a change, Auburn
Another game Auburn had in their grasp. Another game Auburn saw slip away. The fatigue of the Hugh Freeze era may have just reached its exhaustive end.
www.al.com
October 19, 2025 at 12:17 PM
It’s time, Auburn. www.al.com/auburnfootba...
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.
October 16, 2025 at 1:22 AM
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
"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."
"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.
www.al.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"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."
"It doesn’t let up, either."
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.
www.al.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:22 PM
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...
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.
www.al.com
October 5, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Alabama couldn’t let that yapping stand from another opposing QB. It didn’t. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Reposted by Michael Casagrande
"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.
www.al.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:30 PM
"Auburn’s offense is bad," columnist @byCasagrande.bsky.social writes. "Statistically, it’s one of the worst offenses in the nation." Do you agree?
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.
www.al.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:04 PM
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...
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.
www.al.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The Tractor Trailer should be Alabama’s answer to the Tush Push. My column: www.al.com/alabamafootb...
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.
www.al.com
September 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM
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...
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?
www.al.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
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...
Pearl retired. Pearl hired.
September 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Pearl retired. Pearl hired.
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?
www.al.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Break out the Ouija board. www.al.com/alabamafootb...
Reposted by Michael Casagrande
"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.
www.al.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"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."
Reposted by Michael Casagrande
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?
www.al.com
September 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
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?