First look: Alabama Crimson Tide

AUBURN TIGERS at

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT, Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa

TV: CBS (Play-by-play: Verne Lundquist, Analysis: Gary Danielson, Sideline: Tracy Wolfson)

Opening line: Alabama -34 | Over/under: 46

Tickets: From StubHub

Series history: UA leads 41-34-1 | At Tuscaloosa: AU leads 7-1 | Last 10: AU leads: 7-3

Last meeting: Alabama 42, Auburn 14, Nov. 26, 2011, at Auburn

Auburn notes | Alabama notes

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (10-1, 6-1 SEC)

Head coach: Nick Saban (Sixth year: 60-13; 19th year overall: 166-72-1)

Offensive coordinator: Doug Nussmeier (pro-style) | Defensive coordinator: Kirby Smart (3-4)

SB Nation affiliate: Roll 'Bama Roll | Other coverage: Al.com, TideSports.com

Just when we thought Alabama was knocked out of the national title picture, the Crimson Tide pulled themselves back in. Alabama took care of business against Western Carolina in Week 12, dismantling the Catamounts, 49-0. 'Bama jumped out to a 42-0 lead at halftime and called off the dogs in the final two quarters. A.J. McCarron was a perfect 6 of 6 for 133 yards and a touchdown, and Eddie Lacy rushed 10 times for 99 yards and three scores. The Crimson Tide defense held Western Carolina to just 163 total yards and eight first downs.

After taking the Catamounts to the woodshed, the Tide was able to sit back and relax Saturday night while Baylor and Stanford did their dirty work. The Bears and Cardinal knocked off Nos. 1 and 2 Kansas State and Oregon, nullifying Alabama's loss to Texas A&M in Week 11. So for the second year in a row, the Tide have managed to back into the inside track to the BCS Championship Game. Wonderful.

KEY BAMMERS ON OFFENSE

Eddie Lacy, RB -- 870 yards, 12 touchdowns, 79.1 yards per game, 5.96 yards per carry, 13.3 carries per game

A.J. McCarron, QB -- 172.43 passer rating (2nd in SEC), 66.8 completion percentage (3rd) 2,291 yards, 21 touchdowns (t-3rd), 2 interceptions (1st)

T.J. Yeldon, RB -- 809 yards, 9 touchdowns, 73.6 yards per game, 6.7 yards per carry, 11.0 carries per game

KEY BAMMERS ON DEFENSE

Adrian Hubbard, SLB -- 8 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles, 33 tackles

C.J. Mosley, WLB -- 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble 89 tackles

Vinnie Sunseri, SS -- 2 interceptions, 6 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 50 tackles