Its first complete win and a stretch of back-to-back wins against conference foes propelled Alabama to the No. 10 spot in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, momentum the Crimson Tide want to prove worthy of making the bracket next month.
The Crimson Tide (7-2) welcome Mercer on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Even if Alabama doesn’t find a way into the Southeastern Conference title game, an at-large playoff berth is in play if the Crimson Tide can do their part and avoid any slip-ups against Mercer (9-1) and their final two opponents — Oklahoma and Auburn.
“I like the progress that we’ve had. Every week’s a new challenge in different ways,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said Monday. “Last week just with the passing game and kind of the way we felt they would attack us, rising to the challenge was big. The shutout the week before happened as a combination of stopping the run and the pass, different quarterbacks in and out, but that’s progress.”
Alabama’s defense put together a superb game in a 42-13 victory at LSU last week.
The Crimson Tide allowed the Tigers’ potent passing game only 239 yards and picked off quarterback Garrett Nussmeier twice. But that unit took a huge hit, however, as edge rusher Que Robinson is out for the season with a left arm injury he suffered in the second half.
“Just a special, special person in every way,” DeBoer said. “You hate to see a guy that pours so much into it go through what he’s going through.”
Alabama is likely to lean on Qua Russaw and Yhonzae Pierre more at the position, and linebacker Jihaad Campbell could see more snaps from the edge as well.
Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe also had one of his best games of the season, rushing for 185 yards and four touchdowns while also passing for 109 yards on 12 of 18 attempts. Alabama ran for 312 yards and six touchdowns overall.
Mercer is ranked ninth in the latest FCS Coaches poll and has won its past three games.
Mercer is coming off a 34-0 victory over VMI, which secured an automatic FCS playoff berth and a share of the Southern Conference championship. If Mercer beats Furman in two weeks, it can lock up its first outright conference title since 1932.
“It’s just a testament to their hard work. It’s a testament to their daily grind, and I’m really proud of that,” Mercer coach Mike Jacobs said Monday. “Any time you do something, one, for the first time, and two, for the second time in 100 years, it’s a pretty big deal. So, I’m just really proud of the kids.”
Mercer has had success throughout the season on the ground led by running back Dwayne McGee (910 yards, seven touchdowns). Brayden Manley (7.5 sacks) and T.J. Moore and Myles Redding (6 INTs each) have propelled the Bears’ defense.
Jacobs grasps the daunting challenge of facing Alabama and the opportunity a game like it presents for his improving program.
“We know we’re up against probably one of the best teams in college football this weekend, and certainly one with a huge and rich football tradition,” Jacobs said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for [the team] to have a chance to prove themselves, to play well, and represent Mercer on a national stage.”
