Alabama @ Mississippi preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 16, 2010 ) Mississippi 10, Alabama 23

THE STORY: No. 3 Alabama looks to continue its domination of Mississippi and stay in the national title picture when it travels to Oxford, Miss., for an SEC contest Saturday. The Crimson Tide recorded its second shutout in last week's 34-0 win against Vanderbilt, marking the 28th time in Saban's tenure that Alabama has allowed 10 points or less. The Crimson Tide also should have LB C.J. Mosley back after he missed two games with an elbow injury. The Rebels had a week off after a 38-28 win at Fresno State, which snapped a two-game losing streak. Now they begin a streak of three consecutive games against ranked opponents. Alabama leads the series 44-9-2 (48-8-2 before forfeited and vacated games). The Crimson Tide has won 24 of 26 meetings dating to 1977.

TV: ESPN2. LINE: Alabama -25.5

ABOUT ALABAMA (6-0, 3-0 SEC): As dominant as the defense has been, the offense has shown plenty of prowess, too. Trent Richardson recorded his fifth consecutive 100-yard rushing game against Vanderbilt with 107 yards on 19 carries. He can match Shaun Alexander's school record for consecutive 100-yard games if he tops the century mark Saturday. And QB A.J. McCarron has taken up the mantle of recent Alabama quarterbacks by being efficient and limiting mistakes. He has thrown 127 passes without an interception, the sixth-longest streak in school history.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI (2-3, 0-2 SEC): Running back Jeff Scott has powered the offense in both the Rebels' wins. He scored four touchdowns against FCS Southern Illinois and had a career-high 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Fresno State. The Rebels have struggled to find consistency at quarterback, using three different starters. Junior Randall Mackey is expected to keep the job this week after making his first career start against Fresno State and passing for 214 yards and a touchdown.

EXTRA POINTS

1. In Saban's 60-game tenure, Alabama has allowed 300 yards or less 35 times, including all six games this season. The Crimson Tide's season-high was 251 yards against Penn State.

2. Mississippi's Brandon Bolden needs 85 yards to pass Dou Innocent for fifth place on the school's all-time rushing list. Bolden enters the game with 2,237 yards.

3. Alabama is 15-1 in October since 2007, the loss coming at South Carolina last season.

PREDICTION: Alabama 37, Mississippi 10 — The Crimson Tide's defense is the real deal, and they have too many playmakers on offense and special teams for the Rebels to keep up.