Mercer Bears at Alabama Crimson Tide

· NCAA - Football

Mercer Bears

9-1, 6-1 Away

Alabama Crimson Tide

7-2, 4-2 Home

No. 9 Alabama hosts FCS Mercer after big win over LSU

Mercer (9-1) at No. 9 Alabama (7-2, No. 10 CFP), Saturday, 2 p.m. EST (SEC)

College Football Odds: No line.

Series History: Alabama leads 4-0.

What’s at stake? For Alabama, not a whole lot. If all goes as expected, the Crimson Tide will hope to stay healthy and get some backups game action. Next up are Southeastern Conference games against Oklahoma and Auburn. Alabama is fresh from a 42-13 win at LSU. The Bears are ranked as high as 10th in FCS, already clinching at least a share of the Southern Conference championship and the league's automatic berth into the playoffs. It's Mercer's first league title since winning the Dixie Conference in 1932, and a win over Furman on Nov. 23 would give the Bears the outright league title.

Key matchup An Alabama offense led by dual-threat Jalen Milroe and freshman Ryan Williams against one of the top defenses at the FCS level. The Bears lead FCS in run defense, sacks, tackles for loss, interceptions, turnovers gained, defensive touchdowns and third-down defense.

Players to watch Mercer: RB Dwayne McGee, a transfer from Lenoir-Rhyne, has run for 933 yards and seven touchdowns.

Alabama: QB Ty Simpson is a former five-star recruit who hasn't seen much action this season behind Milroe but figures to contend for the starting job next season. He has played in four games, completing 9 of 14 passes for 96 yards.

Facts & figures Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer leads all active Division I coaches with at least five seasons with a winning percentage of 88.7 (110-14). Mercer's Mike Jacobs (82.2, 83-18) is fourth. ... DeBoer is 33-2 (.942) as a head coach in the month of November, including nine straight wins. ... Milroe has accounted for 29 total touchdowns (13 passing, 16 rushing) to lead the SEC and rank fourth in the FBS. ... Alabama's 47 touchdowns include 20 of 20-plus yards with 10 rushing and 10 passing. ... Alabama has won the previous four meetings by a collective score of 144-14.

How can I watch Mercer Bears vs. Alabama Crimson Tide?

TV Channel: Bears at Crimson Tide 2021 College Football, week 12, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Crimson Tide: 99.5%

Bears: .5%

*According to ESPN's Basketball Power Index

Game Information

Bryant-Denny Stadium

Location: Tuscaloosa, AL -

.png" style="height: 25px;width: 25px;" alt="" onerror="this.remove()"> 67°
Capacity:

Full Standings

Bears Last 5

Date	OPP	Result
	vs PRIN	W 34-7
	@ SAM	L 55-35
	vs WCU	W 44-34
	vs ETSU	W 37-31
	@ VMI	W 34-0

Crimson Tide Last 5

Date	OPP	Result
	@ VAN	L 40-35
	vs SC	W 27-25
	@ TENN	L 24-17
	vs MIZ	W 34-0
	@ LSU	W 42-13

College Football News

Can Wisconsin cover the spread against No. 1 Oregon?

Pamela Maldonado explains why Wisconsin could be a good bet against the spread as an underdog against No. 1 Oregon.

How fans are showing their passion for college football in death

Andrea Adelson joins "The Paul Finebaum Show" and details her recent story on ESPN.com about college football fans having their ashes spread at their favorite stadiums.

No. 7 BYU can take another step toward Big 12 championship game with a victory over Kansas

— After suffering several close losses earlier this season, Kansas is finally resembling the team that was expected to be a Big 12 contender after last year’s nine-win campaign.

No. 19 Washington State aims for fifth straight win as Cougars face resurgent New Mexico

— Washington State would seem to have an enormous advantage over New Mexico on Saturday, especially when it comes to motivation.

Nebraska, USC both making big changes on offense in effort to turn around disappointing seasons

Nebraska (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) at Southern California (4-5, 2-5), Saturday, 4 p.m. EST (FOX)