Mac Jones
FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) works against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Alabama plays Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Two roads: Young, Bennett take different paths to CFP stage

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2022 01:20 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates with offensive lineman Chris Owens (79) after throwing a touchdown pass against Cincinnati during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Flawed but resilient, No. 1 Alabama peaking at right time

By John Zenor Jan. 06, 2022 12:31 PM EST

FILE - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks with Alabama head coach Nick Saban before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Georgia plays Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Smart, Georgia trying to stop skid against Saban, Alabama

By John Zenor Jan. 04, 2022 03:13 PM EST

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett tosses oranges after their win against Michigan in the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Georgia won 34-11.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
CFP title game QBs: Former 5-star recruit vs. former walk-on

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 01, 2022 02:23 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young holds the Heisman Trophy at an award ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in New York. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via AP, Pool)
Young says Heisman reflects past as Bama seeks another title

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 29, 2021 04:06 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young holds the Heisman Trophy at an award ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in New York. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via AP, Pool)
Back-to-back: Young gives Alabama consecutive Heisman wins

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 11, 2021 09:04 PM EST

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) rushes Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson should be strongly considered for the Heisman Trophy after he had three sacks, setting a single-season record for college football team, in a win over Ohio State that put the Wolverines in the Big Ten championship game and national title race. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Heisman finalists: Young, Hutchinson, Pickett, Stroud

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 06, 2021 06:44 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) and wide receiver Slade Bolden (18) celebrate with wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) after Williams' touchdown reception was confirmed by review during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 3 Alabama hoping to avoid more misadventures at Auburn

By John Zenor Nov. 26, 2021 09:44 AM EST

Georgia Tech quarterback Jordan Yates (13) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
With eye on Bama, No. 1 Georgia favored against Georgia Tech

By Charles Odum Nov. 26, 2021 09:42 AM EST

Mississippi State linebacker Tyrus Wheat (2) recovers a fumble by Auburn quarterback TJ Finley (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Iron Bowl quarterbacks have different pedigrees, same goal

By John Zenor Nov. 23, 2021 03:24 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban yells instruction before an NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 3 Alabama flawed but battle-tested _ unlike last year

By John Zenor Nov. 22, 2021 05:54 PM EST

Colorado quarterback Brendon Lewis, front, rolls out to pass as Texas A&M defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal pursues in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
SEC defenses flexing after 2020 championship game fireworks

By John Zenor Sep. 15, 2021 10:45 AM EDT

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles away from Miami safety Gilbert Frierson (3) before throwing a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
No, 1 'Bama hosts Mercer in true home game for Crimson Tide

By John Zenor Sep. 09, 2021 01:43 PM EDT

Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei is knocked to the turf by Georgia defender Travon Walker on a broken play during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: 'Bama's Young worthy successor at QB U

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 04, 2021 09:12 PM EDT

Alabama head coach Nick Saban runs onto the field with his team before the start of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Young throws 4 TDs, No. 1 Alabama routs No. 14 Miami 44-13

By Paul Newberry Sep. 04, 2021 07:17 PM EDT

FILE - Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (92) and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) celebrate after a missed Notre Dame field goal attempt in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. Anderson was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team defense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
No drop-off: Bama loses a bunch of stars to NFL, still No. 1

By Paul Newberry Sep. 02, 2021 05:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 17, 2021, file photo, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart talks to his players before the team's spring NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga. Smart, the coach of No. 5 Georgia, faces No. 3 Clemson in the season-opener in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Alabama-Miami, Georgia-Clemson highlight SEC opening week

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 02, 2021 10:47 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 6, 2021, file photo, Maryland football quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa throws during NCAA college football practice in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
Expectations not a burden for Maryland's Tagovailoa

By Noah Trister Sep. 01, 2021 05:42 PM EDT

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) rolls out on a passing drill during the NCAA college football team's practice Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Top SEC contenders breaking in new-ish quarterbacks

By John Zenor Aug. 25, 2021 01:07 PM EDT

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) wipes his face between drills at the school's first fall camp NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama's Young embraces expectations, says not distractions

By John Zenor Aug. 19, 2021 05:27 PM EDT