Ole Miss @ Alabama preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2012 ) Mississippi 14, Alabama 33

Top-ranked Alabama survived the first major test of its latest title defense and looks to clear another hurdle when it hosts No. 21 Mississippi on Saturday. The Crimson Tide rolled to a 31-6 win over Colorado State last week after escaping with a 49-42 victory at Texas A&M a week earlier. The Rebels are after their first 4-0 start since 1970, but haven't beaten Alabama since 2003 and have only one victory in 25 trips to Tuscaloosa, Ala.

It's the first time the long-time rivals have met when both were undefeated since 1982, and that's only the case because the Rebels have staged two second-half rallies. After coming back from an 11-point halftime deficit for a 39-35 win over Vanderbilt in their season opener, they outscored Texas 27-0 in the second half of a 44-23 win two weeks ago. Alabama's defense and special teams have excelled en route to a 3-0 start for the 10th straight season.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Alabama -15

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI (3-0, 1-0 SEC West): Ole Miss has found balance on offense by using a combination of pass-first quarterback Bo Wallace and run-first backup Barry Brunetti. The Rebels also have an explosive star in running back Jeff Scott, who set career highs in rushing yards (164) and all-purpose yards (243) against Texas and ranks fifth in the SEC in rushing (110 yards per game) and fourth in all-purpose yards (151.7 per game).

ABOUT ALABAMA (3-0, 1-0): The Crimson Tide's offense has been inconsistent and struggled to get going in last week's win over Colorado State. Christion Jones, who turned the tide of Alabama's 33-14 win over Ole Miss a year ago with 99-yard kickoff return touchdown, has helped salvage the lack of offense by returning a kickoff and a punt for scores to go along with a touchdown reception. The defense has not been as dominant as in years past, but Vinnie Sunseri has a pair of interception returns for touchdowns to contribute to five non-offensive touchdowns in three games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Alabama has won 42 consecutive games when it commits fewer turnovers than its opponent.

2. Ole Miss is 0-9 all-time against top-ranked teams and 1-12 against defending national champions.

3. The Crimson Tide are 52-0 since the start of the 2008 season when rushing for at least 140 yards.

PREDICTION: Alabama 36, Mississippi 20