Western Carolina @ Alabama preview
Bryant-Denny Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2007 ) Western Carolina 6, Alabama 52
After a close call and a crushing defeat the past two weeks, fifth-ranked Alabama should have an easier time Saturday when the Crimson Tide hosts one-win FCS opponent Western Carolina. It's the third meeting, with Alabama having won the first two by a combined 104-6 margin, though one of the victories later was vacated. The non-conference contest will serve as a tune-up for Alabama before its annual Iron Bowl rivalry game with Auburn, in which a victory would clinch the SEC Western title for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama's hopes of a 15th national title took a major hit with last week's 29-24 home loss to Texas A&M, but at No. 4 in the BCS standings, the Crimson Tide aren't out of it yet. They need to win their two remaining regular-season games and beat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, then hope either a couple of upsets or the computers vault them into the top two.
TV: 12:21 p.m. ET, SEC Network, ESPN3. LINE: None
ABOUT WESTERN CAROLINA (1-9): The Catamounts have lost nine straight since a season-opening win over NCAA Division II Mars Hill, and they went winless in the Southern Conference for the second straight year. Alabama is their second FBS opponent this season; they lost 52-24 at Marshall on Sept. 8. Freshman quarterback Troy Mitchell has been a bright spot, though, earning Southern Conference Freshman of the Week honors twice and rushing for eight touchdowns, most ever by a Catamount quarterback.
ABOUT ALABAMA (9-1): The Crimson Tide's vaunted defense, which leads the nation in points allowed (11.1) and ranks second in total defense (247.8 yards per game), met its match last week in Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, but shouldn't have quite as much trouble corralling Mitchell. The offense will look to get back on track after committing three turnovers, including A.J. McCarron's first two interceptions of the season. McCarron's 20 touchdown passes are tied with Greg McElroy for the single-season school record, and his 39 career passing touchdowns rank third behind John Parker Wilson (47) and Brodie Croyle (41).
EXTRA POINTS
1. Crimson Tide senior Jeremy Shelley is the only kicker in the nation who has not missed an extra point or field goal this season. Shelley is 46-for-46 on PATs and 10-for-10 on field goals.
2. Alabama has scored in 152 consecutive games, the longest streak in school history.
3. Western Carolina has never beaten an FBS opponent and has not defeated an NCAA Division I team since topping The Citadel on Oct. 2, 2010.
PREDICTION: Alabama 59, Western Carolina 7