Alabama wide receiver Kenny Bell (7) runs with a reception for a first down against Mississippi defensive back Cody Prewitt (25) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 1 Alabama can enjoy a relaxing Saturday without the stress of trying to pull out a tight game.
OK, the Crimson Tide haven’t had to deal with much of that, anyway, going into its open date.
Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC), the unanimous top-ranked team in The Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday, knows that the heart of the schedule awaits upon its return after a string of blowouts and a more competitive 33-14 win over Mississippi on Saturday night.
“I think it’s well needed because we’re [about to] get into the hard part of our schedule, with the SEC games,” Tide cornerback Dee Milliner said. “So I think we all need it to try to focus in on the off week, to regroup on things we’ve been missing.”
The open date might also have come at a good time with some mounting injuries. Wide receiver DeAndrew White, who has two touchdown catches, and tailback Dee Hart both went down with knee injuries. White was carted to the locker room after getting hurt on Alabama’s opening drive and returned later on crutches.