TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) – As if Alabama didn’t have enough of an advantage over most opponents, the Crimson Tide isn’t giving them any help.
The top-ranked Tide enters Saturday night’s game with Mississippi riding a 30-quarter streak without committing a turnover. It’s all part of coach Nick Saban’s “process,” supplying another mathematical edge for a team that typically already has more talent and depth.
“It’s just a mindset,” Alabama tailback Damien Harris said. “If you don’t turn the ball over, you automatically give yourself a better chance to win. And we look at the reports every week. Teams with plus-turnover margin usually have more success. So it’s just something we really focus on – offensively protecting the ball and defensively getting the ball out and getting turnovers. We like to play off each other.”
Quarterback Jalen Hurts and Alabama (4-0) haven’t turned the ball over since he threw two interceptions in the second quarter against Auburn last season. It’s the longest turnover-free streak in school records that date back to 1940.
The streak has reached 550 plays, including Hurts’ stretch of 150 consecutive passes without an interception that ranks as the Tide’s fifth-longest.