Chattanooga @ Alabama preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 21, 2009 ) Chattanooga 0, Alabama 45

Top-ranked Alabama takes a break from the rigors of the SEC and gets a chance to bounce back from an uncharacteristic sluggish performance when it hosts Tennessee-Chattanooga on Saturday. The Crimson Tide committed four turnovers and struggled offensively in a 20-7 victory over Mississippi State last Saturday that drew the ire of coach Nick Saban. “We won the game but we really didn’t beat the other team,” Saban said. “That’s really not how we usually try and do it.”

Chattanooga is ranked 21st in the FCS Coaches Poll and has dropped its last five games against ranked FBS foes by a combined 250-40. The Crimson Tide have a showdown with Auburn looming as they continue to march toward another national-championship game appearance but Saban made it known his squad won’t overlook the Mocs. “We are more concerned right now as to how we focus on the things that we need to do to improve,” said Saban, “and we certainly have every respect for the opponent that we have this week.”

TV: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: Alabama -49.

ABOUT TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA (8-3): Quarterback Jacob Huesman is a multipurpose threat, passing for 16 touchdowns against five interceptions and adding 894 rushing yards and nine scores. Keon Williams (687 yards) hopes to return from a three-game absence due to an ankle injury to further spruce up a ground game that averages 223.3 yards. The Moccasins have two standout defenders in linebacker Wes Dothard (81 tackles, including 7.5 for losses) and defensive end Davis Tull (nine sacks this season and a school-record 26.5 for his career).

ABOUT ALABAMA (10-0): Quarterback AJ McCarron threw two of his five interceptions in the contest against Mississippi State but has mostly performed well with 2,228 yards and 21 touchdown passes. T.J. Yeldon rushed for a career-high 160 yards to raise his season output to 1,022 but also coughed up a fumble against the Bulldogs while Kenyan Drake (584 yards, 7.6 average) continues to be a strong complement. The Crimson Tide lead the nation in scoring defense (10.2) and rank fifth in total defense (272.8) with linebacker C.J. Mosley leading the way with 79 tackles and defensive end A’Shawn Robinson contributing a team-best five sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Alabama has won all 11 meetings and beat the Mocs 45-0 in 2009 in the most recent meeting.

2. Chattanooga is 4-113-3 all-time against SEC schools with its last win coming in 1958 against Tennessee.

3. The Crimson Tide have held eight opponents to 10 points or fewer.

PREDICTION: Alabama 45, Chattanooga 3