Colorado State @ Alabama preview

One week after holding off Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M in a 49-42 thriller, top-ranked Alabama looks to avoid a letdown Saturday against visiting Colorado State from the Mountain West Conference. The Rams are 39 1/2-point underdogs against the Crimson Tide, who have gone 27-3 against nonconference opponents under coach Nick Saban, including 20 straight victories. Rams coach Jim McElwain was Alabama's offensive coordinator from 2008-2011 before leaving for Colorado State last season.

Heisman Trophy candidate AJ McCarron, who had a career-high 334 passing yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win over the Aggies, could be in for a short night on Saturday if the Crimson Tide take control early. The rebuilding Rams, who are 2-11 all-time against SEC opponents, lost their first two games to Colorado and Tulsa before defeating Cal Poly 34-17 last Saturday. “We’re going in it expecting to win,” Rams cornerback Shaq Bell said at a news conference. “A lot of people won’t believe in us, but we'll believe in that locker room.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Alabama -39.5.

ABOUT COLORADO STATE (1-2): Junior quarterback Garrett Grayson threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns against Cal Poly, and six receivers have at least seven catches. Senior center Weston Richburg leads the offensive line with nine knockdown blocks, and senior linebacker Shaquil Barrett has seven tackles for a loss. Barrett will need another big game Saturday for the Rams, who were picked to finished fifth in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West.

ABOUT ALABAMA (2-0, 1-0 SEC): Sophomore running back T.J. Yeldon, who rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown against the Aggies, could have another superb game against a Colorado State team that’s allowing an average of 175.7 yards a game on the ground. Junior safety Vinnie Sunseri leads the defense with two interception returns for touchdowns in the first two games, while senior linebacker C.J. Mosley has a team-high 19 tackles. After facing the Rams in its home opener, Alabama remains in Tuscaloosa to face No. 22 Mississippi on Sept. 28.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Alabama is 52-0 since the start of the 2008 season when rushing for at least 140 yards.

2. Colorado State ranks seventh in the FBS in kickoff return average at 32.1 yards per return.

3. The Crimson Tide is 64-3 when leading at halftime under Saban.

PREDICTION: Alabama 54, Colorado State 10