Xavier McKinney
LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (22) carries against Texas A&M linebacker Buddy Johnson (1) and defensive back Keldrick Carper during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. LSU won 50-7. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU's Burrow, Auburn's Brown named AP SEC players of year

By Steve Megargee Dec. 09, 2019 11:06 AM EST

Auburn players sit in the student section as fans take the field to celebrate an upset of Alabama after an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 16 Auburn upends No. 5 Alabama’s playoff hopes, 48-45

By John Zenor Nov. 30, 2019 07:51 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban yells to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 5 Alabama needs Iron Bowl win, help for playoff berth

By John Zenor Nov. 25, 2019 04:44 PM EST

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, right, looks for an open receiver as Penn State defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos chases him during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Penn State 28-17. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 2 Ohio State beats No. 9 Penn State to take Big Ten East

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2019 05:40 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) grabs a wide snap from the shotgun position during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Jones, No. 5 Alabama rout Western Carolina, 66-3 without Tua

By John Zenor Nov. 23, 2019 03:13 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

Mississippi wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, left, gets away from Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) for a touchdown catch during an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
Alabama's McKinney a standout safety who can draw, too

By John Zenor Oct. 10, 2019 03:36 PM EDT

Arkansas running back Rakeem Boyd tries to get past Colorado State defender Tron Folsom during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
No. 24 Texas A&M hosts No. 1 and untested Alabama

By The Associated Press Oct. 10, 2019 02:51 PM EDT

Alabama head coach Nick Saban works during a timeout in the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
No. 2 Alabama, Saban look to improve to 12-1 in SEC openers

By The Associated Press Sep. 19, 2019 01:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2019, file photo, Alabama head coach Nick Saban prepares for a team coach photo prior to Alabama's fall camp fan-day NCAA college football scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. This is the time of year when the Southeastern Conference usually validates its claim as the best league in college football by dominating neutral-site nonconference matchups. The SEC is 21-6 in regular-season nonconference games against Power Five opponents at neutral sites since 2012. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Bama faces Duke to open another season of high expectations

By Paul Newberry Aug. 30, 2019 09:10 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2019, file photo, Alabama's Najee Harris reaches for the end zone during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, in Santa Clara, Calif. Najee Harris has been a presence in Alabama’s backfield pretty much since he arrived as one of the nation’s top recruits. Now, he's finally the lead runner. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Najee Harris finally gets to be Alabama's primary runner

By John Zenor Aug. 20, 2019 11:43 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 Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, file photo, Georgia tailback Elijah Holyfield (13) drives past Georgia Tech defensive back Ajani Kerr (38) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Athens Ga. No. 1 Alabama's typically tough defense will be challenged by No. 4 Georgia's offense that enters Saturday's SEC championship game on a roll. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP, FIle)
Georgia offense bracing for biggest test from Crimson Tide

By Charles Odum Nov. 28, 2018 12:35 PM EST

Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses (32) tries to tackle LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) by his jersey as defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) closes in, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Alabama won 29-0. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
No. 1 Alabama's overshadowed defense pretty good, too

By John Zenor Nov. 05, 2018 04:16 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Fast start helps No. 1 Alabama trounce Tennessee 58-21

By Steve Megargee Oct. 20, 2018 07:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018. file photo, Alabama defenders, including defensive back Deionte Thompson (14), linebacker Christian Miller (47) and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (92), close in on Louisville running back Dae Williams (25) , during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla. Alabama's defense, for a change, has been overshadowed by the offense, but it's still formidable. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File))
No. 1 Alabama's offense overshadowing defense _ seriously

By John Zenor Sep. 20, 2018 06:32 PM EDT