Trevon Diggs
FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2020, file photo, Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks off the field after losing to Auburn in an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. The mid-week news that Alabama coach Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 added a challenging backdrop for the season’s first Top 5 matchup. Saban figures to be communicating his marching orders and input from home while offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is manning the show within the football building. (Chris Shimek/The Decatur Daily via AP, File)
Tide goes for 14th straight in 'Third Saturday in October'

By Mark Long Oct. 22, 2020 04:00 AM EDT

Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson (2) throws a pass in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Saban vs. Harbaugh in the Citrus Bowl, with much at stake

By Tim Reynolds Dec. 31, 2019 02:31 PM EST

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

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano sets to throw a pass during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
QB Guarantano’s re-emergence sparks Tennessee’s turnaround

By Steve Megargee Nov. 26, 2019 05:27 PM EST

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) evades Mississippi State safety C.J. Morgan (29) on his way to a 19-yard touchdown pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. Alabama won 38-7. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mac Jones leads No. 5 Alabama against Western Carolina

By John Zenor Nov. 22, 2019 10:05 AM 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

Alabama head coach Nick Saban smiles as he chats with former NFL football quarterback Joe Namath, an Alabama alum, before an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Mac Jones, No. 1 Alabama dominate Arkansas 48-7 minus Tua

By John Zenor Oct. 26, 2019 10:12 PM EDT

Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt yells at the officials during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
South Carolina's Muschamp looks to remain perfect vs Vols

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 24, 2019 11:50 AM EDT

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) checks on quarterback Brian Maurer (18) who was hurt on the play against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 1 Alabama survives Tua injury, beats Tennessee 35-13

By John Zenor Oct. 20, 2019 12:37 AM EDT

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Illinois stuns No. 6 Wisconsin with last-second FG

By The Associated Press Oct. 19, 2019 04:50 PM 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

Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) makes an interception over New Mexico State wide receiver Tony Nicholson (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tagovailoa, No. 2 Alabama romp over New Mexico State, 62-10

By John Zenor Sep. 07, 2019 07:11 PM EDT

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) greets a fan following an NCAA college football game against Houston in Norman, Okla., Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. Oklahoma won 49-31. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Alabama players enjoyed watching Jalen Hurts' Oklahoma debut

By John Zenor Sep. 02, 2019 03:53 PM EDT

Alabama defensive backs Jared Mayden (21) and Patrick Surtain II (2) break up a pass intended for Duke wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (5) during the first half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Tagovailoa leads No. 2 Alabama to 42-3 rout of Duke

By Paul Newberry Aug. 31, 2019 07:08 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. The hits keep on coming for Alabama’s defense in 2019. The latest blow to the second-ranked Crimson Tide defenders was Tuesday’s, Aug. 27, 2019, knee injury to star middle linebacker Dylan Moses. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
No. 2 Alabama's defense absorbs tough hits before opener

By John Zenor Aug. 29, 2019 02:33 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

FILE - At left, in a Nov. 17, 2018, file photo, Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. (82) carries the ball in for a touchdown against Citadel during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. At right, in a Dec. 29, 2018, file photo, Alabama running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs the ball, during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Four Alabama players are skipping their final seasons to enter the NFL draft, including Smith Jr. and Jacobs. (AP Photo/File)
4 Alabama players announce they are declaring for NFL draft

By John Zenor Jan. 11, 2019 11:40 AM EST

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) scores a touchdown as Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton (32) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Tagovailoa, No. 1 Alabama race past Missouri 39-10

By John Zenor Oct. 13, 2018 10:38 PM EDT