Kareem Jackson News

Alabama said it would be ready for trick plays today against Auburn. Ready or not, Auburn has scored first.

On the first play Saturday night, Mississippi State threw deep to a receiver being covered by Alabama cornerback Marquis Johnson.

When Mississippi State's final end-zone target of Alabama cornerback Marquis Johnson ended in his hands, the Crimson Tide fans drowned out any last cowbells Saturday with a redemptive ring of their own.

Three-and-in was the story of the day. Three-and-out is the story of the season.

Alabama coach Nick Saban can downplay its meaning and dismiss its relevance. The reality of the rivalry between No.

Nick Saban and his staff have gotten plenty of credit for their recruitment of high school prospects the last two years, but they have been equally efficient in their evaluation and recruitment of junior college players.

When: 2:30 p.m. today Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa Records: UA UT Line: Alabama by 16 On the air: TV -- CBS Radio -- WXFX-FM 95.1 FOUR-DOWN TERRITORY 1 Under Nick Saban, the Crim son Tide has put together 15 games where its leading rusher had 100 yards or more, recording a 14-1 record in those games.

Moments after the seventh start of his collegiate career, Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy's mind wandered back to a game in seventh grade.

TUSCALOOSA -- The last time South Carolina visited Alabama, the Crimson Tide was struggling to rebound from a rare losing season.

On his way to running for a Bryant-Denny Stadium-record 246 yards, Alabama running back Mark Ingram breaks away from South Carolina free safety Chris Culliver and linebacker Josh Dickerson in the second quarter of the Crimson Tide's 20-6 homecoming victory.

He's one of the most successful coaches in SEC history, but much of the flair and hype that marked Steve Spurrier's heyday occurred before current Alabama football players were paying close attention to college football.

Three seasons ago, the voters didn't want it. One Game of the Century was enough.

TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama has traditionally turned down television for its homecoming game to keep it in the afternoon time slot, making this weekend's game against South Carolina the first-ever night homecoming contest for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama's Justin Woodall and Kareem Jackson deflect a pass away from Mississippi's Shay Hodge, center, during the first half of their football game Saturday.

Mark Ingram rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown and No. 3 Alabama stuffed No. 20 Mississippi 22-3 on Saturday.

Times Alabama Writer gentry.estes@htimes.com Yeah, Nick Saban said it. Then he didn't back away from it.

When current Alabama safety Mark Barron graduated from high school, people who were familiar with him knew he would make a big impact wherever he went; they just weren't sure which side of the football he would be on when it was all said and done.

Alabama's offense had a chance to take over this game. Move the ball. Put together a good drive to start the second half.

Three games into the 2009 college football season, the talk is still there: How does this Alabama defense compare to the vaunted defense of Alabama's undefeated 1992 national championship team? Statistically, the talk is Gene Stallings coached Alabama to the 1992 national championship.

TUSCALOOSA -- To this point, fourth-ranked Alabama is averaging 514 yards of offense, continues to rank as one of the best defenses in America and has polished off two opponents with a dominating second-half performance.