Christian Harris
A security officer checks as fans arrive for an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game between Alabama and Ohio State Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Ohio State at Alabama 1/11/2021

Jan. 11, 2021 06:51 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is tackled by Ohio State defensive end Tyreke Smith during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
NFL prospects everywhere in Alabama-Ohio State title game

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 07, 2021 02:28 AM EST

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, center, talks to officials in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Alabama in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame better in Texas, but loses again in semifinals

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 01, 2021 07:50 PM EST

Alabama fans tailgate outside AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame at Alabama 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 01:47 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly directs his team during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, File
Notre Dame seeking a jumpstart against Alabama in CFP semi

By John Fineran Dec. 29, 2020 04:37 PM EST

FILE - Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade (24) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. Wade was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Offense wins championships? CFP defenses face big challenges

By John Zenor Dec. 29, 2020 01:53 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches his team warm up before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game between Florida and Alabama, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Alabama at Florida 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 08:07 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) gets ready to run a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
No. 1 Alabama cruises into SEC title game, Florida stumbles

By John Zenor Dec. 13, 2020 07:17 PM EST

Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) tackles Arkansas quarterback Feleipe Franks for a loss during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Smith's TD return sparks No. 1 Tide's 52-3 tour of Arkansas

By Eric W. Bolin Dec. 12, 2020 03:32 PM EST

Vanderbilt place kicker Sarah Fuller warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Takeaways: In abnormal season, business as usual for Tide

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 28, 2020 09:22 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) lines up a pass against Alabama during an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
No. 2 Alabama, minus Jaylen Waddle, hosts Mississippi State

By John Zenor Oct. 29, 2020 01:29 PM EDT

Mississippi quarterback John Rhys Plumlee stretches toward the goal line, but is stopped short, as Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Alabama won 63-48. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Saban thinks Alabama's defense now has something to build on

By John Zenor Oct. 23, 2020 01:02 PM EDT

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) dances after breaking a Mississippi tackle and scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama's Najee Harris braces for Georgia's stingy defense

By John Zenor Oct. 12, 2020 05:04 PM EDT

Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) drops back to pass against during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Alabama in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama at Ole Miss 10/10/2020

Oct. 10, 2020 08:13 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, center, celebrates with teammates DeVonta Smith, left, and John Metchie III, right, after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
No. 2 Alabama's electric WR Waddle taking on bigger role

By John Zenor Sep. 28, 2020 03:59 PM EDT

Missouri wide receiver Jalen Knox warms up before an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Alabama at Missouri 9/26/2020

Sep. 26, 2020 05:45 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

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) is sacked by Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses (32) and linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Moses was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Roll redemption: No. 3 Alabama aims to restore dominance

By John Zenor Sep. 01, 2020 11:01 AM EDT

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

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) and running back Najee Harris (22) look back to the sideline for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 2 Alabama hosts Southern Miss in another hot day game

By John Zenor Sep. 20, 2019 08:03 AM EDT