DJ Dale
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

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

CORRECTS NAME AND POSITION TO RUNNING BACK CHRIS RODRIGUEZ INSTEAD OF LINEBACKER CHRIS OATS - Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez, center, runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
No. 1 Alabama returns to the field against grieving Kentucky

By John Zenor Nov. 19, 2020 03:31 PM EST

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

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

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

Southern Miss defensive back Rachuan Mitchell (1) knocks away a long pass to Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Ole Miss makes road trip to No. 2 Alabama after tough loss

By John Zenor Sep. 27, 2019 08:02 AM EDT

Alabama head coach Nick Saban argues for a call against Southern Miss during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Saban: Alabama kicker 'questionable' for Mississippi game

Sep. 23, 2019 01:24 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) celebrates his touchdown against Southern Miss with Alabama tight end Miller Forristall (87) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tagovailoa throws 5 TDs, No. 2 Alabama rolls over USM 49-7

By John Zenor Sep. 21, 2019 04:42 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

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 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)
No. 2 Alabama faces New Mexico State in home opener

By The Associated Press Sep. 05, 2019 01:11 PM EDT