No. 3 Alabama hosts New Mexico State in nonconference finale
New Mexico State (1-8) at No. 3 Alabama (8-1, No. 2 CFP), Saturday at noon EST (SEC Network).
Line: Alabama by 51 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Alabama leads 1-0.
WHAT´S AT STAKE?
Alabama has plenty of fine-tuning after a struggle against heavy underdog LSU when the running game was all but nonexistent. It's the Crimson Tide's final nonconference game - and biggest mismatch of the season. New Mexico State gets its annual big payday from a Power Five team with a largely new roster after the 2020 fall season was canceled because of the pandemic.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabama head coach Nick Saban yells instruction before an NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama's secondary against an offense that relies heavily on the passing game. The Aggies only rank 99th in scoring but have the 28th-rated passing offense. Alabama has weathered some injuries in the secondary and at linebacker but has plenty of talent led by Josh Jobe and Jalyn Armour-Davis - presuming they're deemed healthy enough to play in this one.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New Mexico State: LB Chris Ojoh, a transfer from Eastern Washington, leads the team with 45 tackles and 9.0 tackles for loss. He also has five of the Aggies' 14.5 sacks.
Alabama: The offensive line wants some redemption after a game when QB Bryce Young was sacked four times and the running game produced just six yards. That matched the fewest rushing yards for the Tide in a game in records dating to 1940, tying the total in a 1990 loss to Penn State. Center Darrian Dalcourt was listed as day to day with an ankle injury.
FACTS & FIGURES
Alabama won the only previous meeting 62-10 on Sept. 7, 2019. ... The Tide haven't lost a regular-season nonconference game since dropping two in 2007, coach Nick Saban's first year. ... New Mexico State left tackle Sage Doxtater is set to make his 48th start and 50th appearance. ... Aggies center Eli Johnson is a former SEC player, who started every game for Mississippi in 2019. Coach Doug Martin is a former Kentucky quarterback.
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP´s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to throw as LSU linebacker Phillip Webb (39) rushes to pressure him during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama offensive lineman Javion Cohen (70) signals a touchdown after a dive into the end zone by quarterback Bryce Young during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
New Mexico State wide receiver Cole Harrity (14) can't reach a pass intended for him in the end zone, as he is guarded by Hawaii defensive back Quentin Frazier (19), during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
New Mexico State quarterback Jonah Johnson (10) runs in a fourth quarter touchdown against Hawaii during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
