Jumbo Package: Tide favored by two touchdowns over Ole Miss

Happy Monday, everyone. The Tide will face a big test this week when Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss roll into Tuscaloosa. As of this writing, the consensus in Vegas has the Tide favored by 14.5 points with an over/under of 77, which would equate to a 46-31 type finish and a whole bunch of stress.

Before we go there, Michael Casagrande has one final wrapup from Southern Miss.

— Alabama’s defense forced four 3-and-outs in the first half. There was an interception that ended a 45-yard drive and the short-field touchdown drive of 46 yards.

— The Tide had 9 QB hurries with nobody credited with more than one. Will Anderson had three tackles for loss after spending some time in the backfield.

— On the running game, Alabama continues to hit the right side of the offensive line for its biggest plays. The two long first-quarter drives went right with Jameson Williams getting a good shot on a DB to spring Jase McClellan.

The offensive line definitely looked better than it did against Mercer, but they need to keep improving.

On to Ole Miss:

-Ole Miss is 3-2 ATS as an underdog with Lane Kiffin with two outright wins — +6.5 at Kentucky and +7.5 against Indiana in the Outback Bowl. The Rebels are 7-4 ATS as ‘dogs since the beginning of the 2019 season and have covered in back-to-back years against Alabama.

-Alabama has covered eight consecutive games as a home favorite against FBS opponents.

Former Florida WR Chris Doering is still not bullish on the Tide.

As Cecil Hurt notes, Lane Kiffin will be bringing his X’s and O’s, but he’s still a little light on Jimmies and Joes.

“My strategy every time I get the ball is like I’m trying to go to the crib, no matter what play or what catch, I’m trying to go to the crib,” he said.

Technically, Alabama has no crib, but knowing AD Greg Byrne, one will be constructed by Monday afternoon, large enough to accommodate both Williams and Jo Jo Earle if necessary. Maybe Roydell Williams, too. To include Jahleel Billingsley might break Byrne’s crib budget, at last until the Texas money start flowing like a gusher in the Permian Basin.

Alabama didn’t need all its weapons against Southern Miss. But next weekend it will be more than happy to have them

Alabama will need all of its weapons and for the offensive line to play its best.

In case you missed it, we were denied a beautiful meltdown when Auburn rallied behind T.J. Finley to pull out an instant classic over juggernaut Georgia State. The SEC officials had their hands in it, as usual.

Elliott pointed to that play after the game, and the former South Carolina assistant put the blame on the SEC officials.

“They had a little bit of help on that review where the ball was incomplete,” said Elliott, according to ESPN. “It should have been put back on the 30-yard line. But you know, when you play in the SEC, you gotta take the hits. And they gave us a real gut punch on that call. So we appreciate that.”

I honestly have no idea how the replay crew blew that one. It could not be more clear that the ball went through his hands and bounced beneath him, and we have seen that exact play correctly overturned on many occasions.

Last, Clemson managed to barely hang in the top 25.

Clemson tumbled to No. 25 in The Associated Press college football poll Sunday, snapping its streak of 97 straight weeks in the top 10.

The Tigers (2-2) lost for the second time this season Saturday — falling in double overtime to NC State — and dropped 16 spots from No. 9 in the AP Top 25.

Clemson’s top-10 streak was tied with Alabama for the longest current run in college football and second-longest in the history of the AP poll, behind Miami’s 137 from 1985 to 1993.

It has been evident to anyone who has been paying attention that Clemson was in a decline ever since they beat Alabama in Santa Clara. Dabo Swinney has recruited very little depth and refused to take transfers, and it is showing up this year. This team has suffered a couple of major injuries at key positions now and will be lucky to win their division.

That’s about it for today. Have a great week.

Roll Tide.