Patrick Surtain
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Minus Nick Saban, No. 1 Alabama hosts rival No. 22 Auburn

By John Zenor Nov. 27, 2020 10:45 AM EST

FILE - Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) returns an interception for a touchdown against Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in this Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, file photo. Alabama is No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll for the first time this year, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, extending its record of consecutive seasons with at least one week on top of the rankings to 13. (Gary Cosby Jr./The Tuscaloosa News via AP)
Mississippi State at Alabama 10/31/2020

Nov. 08, 2020 02:05 PM EST

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) cuts back as he runs in the middle of the Mississippi State defense during an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (Gary Cosby Jr./The Tuscaloosa News via AP)
Smith, No. 2 Alabama pummel Mississippi State, 41-0

By John Zenor Oct. 31, 2020 10:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2020, file photo, Alabama coach Nick Saban leads his team to the field before an NCAA college football game against Missouri in Columbia, Mo. Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne have tested positive for COVID-19, four days before the Southeastern Conference's biggest regular-season showdown. The second-ranked Crimson Tide is set to face No. 3 Georgia on Saturday, and may be without their iconic 68-year-old coach. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)
Saban wants Alabama's focus on what's ahead after big win

By John Zenor Oct. 20, 2020 10:15 AM EDT

Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Mac Jones, No. 2 Alabama visit Matt Corral, Mississippi

By The Associated Press Oct. 08, 2020 02:46 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, center, pulls down a reception between Missouri's Tyree Gillespie, right, and Ishmael Burdine, left, during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
No. 2 Crimson Tide rolls on offense to 38-19 win over Mizzou

By Dave Skretta Sep. 26, 2020 10:34 PM EDT

FILE -In this Nov. 2, 2019, file photo, Florida quarterback Kyle Trask throws a pass against Georgia during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla. Isolated from coaches, teammates and friends during the coronavirus pandemic, Kyle Trask found plenty of extra free time this offseason. He reviewed each of his performances from his breakout year, trying to find and fix every flaw in hopes of improving the eighth-ranked Gators’ chances of becoming Southeastern Conference and national championship contenders in 2020. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Media picks Alabama to top Florida in SEC championship game

Sep. 23, 2020 04:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Alabama coach Nick Saban reacts during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against LSU in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama allowed 18.6 points per game nationally last season, good enough for 13th nationally. But it’s still the most the Tide has given up since 2007, Saban’s first year in Tuscaloosa. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Alabama coordinator expects better from Crimson Tide defense

By John Zenor Sep. 20, 2020 12:08 PM EDT

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: A familiar top 10 looking to 2020

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2020 02:22 PM EST

Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill (8) tries to get past Arkansas defenders Micahh Smith (26) and Andrew Parker (28) as he runs for a gain during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
No. 4 Alabama aims to rebound against Mississippi State

Nov. 15, 2019 08:00 AM EST

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) warms up before an NCAA football game against LSU, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa , Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt))
Saban, No. 4 Alabama focused on 'how we complete the season'

By John Zenor Nov. 11, 2019 04:52 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks for a receiver during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas, in Austin, Texas. The SEC hasn't had a quarterback picked in the first round of the NFL draft since Johnny Manziel in 2014, and the league has never had more than one quarterback taken in the first round. It appears that's about to change, as Tua Tagovailoa, Joe Burrow and possibly Jake Fromm could make the next draft the best ever for SEC quarterbacks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
No. 1 LSU visits No. 2 Alabama in SEC West/playoff showdown

By The Associated Press Nov. 07, 2019 02:09 PM EST

Alabama linebacker Terrell Lewis (24) grins after a stop of Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU and Alabama defenses gearing up to slow down offenses

By John Zenor Oct. 31, 2019 04:58 PM EDT

Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) gets away from Southeastern Louisiana defensive back Shawntrez Spates (24) to score during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
No. 7 Auburn looks to avenge loss vs Mississippi State

By Steve Megargee Sep. 26, 2019 04:01 AM EDT

Alabama defensive lineman LaBryan Ray (89) hits New Mexico State quarterback Josh Adkins (14), causing a fumble, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama could start 4 freshmen on defense vs Southern Miss

By John Zenor Sep. 19, 2019 01:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2019, file photo, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) talks with the media prior to Alabama's fall camp fan-day college football scrimmage, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Two constants remain at Alabama: coach Nick Saban and championship expectations. Now, just add in a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback and a national title game humbling that provided ample offseason motivation. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Tagovailoa, Alabama retain same old championship hopes

By John Zenor Aug. 12, 2019 11:35 AM EDT

Alabama head coach Nick Saban reacts after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. Clemson beat Alabama 44-16. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Alabama, Saban face big offseason challenges after loss

By John Zenor Jan. 08, 2019 05:01 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2018, file photo, Florida place kicker Evan McPherson, right, kicks a 43-yard field goal as Vanderbilt cornerback Joejuan Williams (8) rushes in the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Nashville, Tenn. Holding is Tommy Townsend (43). McPherson had made 12 of 13 field goals and all 27 extra points. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Waddle, other SEC freshmen finding roles, making plays

By Mark Long Oct. 31, 2018 03:57 PM EDT

Arkansas receiver Michael Woods is tackled by Alabama defender Trevon Diggs in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Saban: Alabama CB Diggs out indefinitely with broken foot

Oct. 08, 2018 02:38 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 4, 2018, file photo, Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks around the field before an NCAA college football practice, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Saban had to recruit six assistant coaches during the offseason while elevating two others to coordinator positions. He landed a group he's hoping will help the top-ranked Crimson Tide contend for not only more championships but more of the nation’s top prospects. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
No. 1 Alabama opens title defense against Louisville

By Gary B. Graves Aug. 31, 2018 05:37 AM EDT