PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Tua Tagovailoa completed 18 of 22 passes for 340 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions vs. The Citadel last week. He leads the nation in passing efficiency with a rating of 212.2, followed by Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray at 205.8. Both marks are better than the FBS record of 198.9, set just last season by Heisman-winner Baker Mayfield. Against SEC foes, Tagovailoa is 113 of 172 (65.6 percent) for 1,942 yards, 20 touchdowns and two interceptions, with a rating of 196.59.
–WR Jerry Jeudy, a sophomore, is one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top receiver. He leads a standout group of Alabama wideouts, with 51 receptions for 1,002 yards, which is good for sixth on Alabama’s list of single-season receiving yards (with as many as four games to go). Jeudy has caught 10 touchdown passes and is the Tide’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Calvin Ridley in 2015.
–LB Anfernee Jennings had his best game of the season, by far, with a career-best 11 tackles and an 18-yard fumble return for a touchdown against The Citadel. Jennings is a key part of the outside linebacker crew, but he had been somewhat quiet with only 19 tackles before last week’s game as he was coming back from a torn ACL suffered late last season. “He worked really, really hard coming back from a pretty serious injury to get back to where he’s able to perform at a high level,” Saban said. “He’s gotten better and better as the season has gone on.”
–PK Joseph Bulovas has hit seven consecutive field goals inside 50 yards — including a career-best 49-yarder — but PATs have been shaky for the redshirt freshman. He missed one against The Citadel and is 56 of 61 for the season. Austin Jones has missed three of his 11 PAT tries. Something to watch late in the season.
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads 45-36-1. Auburn won 26-14 last season. Nick Saban is 7-4 in the Iron Bowl.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re going to keep working on it, no doubt, but it’s not really acceptable to me, to be honest with you, from anyone’s standpoint. … And we’re going to work really, really hard to get it fixed.” — Nick Saban, on his team’s struggles kicking extra points, talking about the whole operation from snapper, holder, kicker.
