TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama coach Nick Saban wants his team to “challenge ourselves to play our best” this week.
Really, the second-ranked Crimson Tide might not need to be at its best Saturday night when 45-point underdog North Texas visits. Alabama is 2-0 and North Texas is 0-2.
This is a sandwich game for the Tide, which is coming off a win at Penn State and faces No. 14 Arkansas next weekend.
This might be a chance for quarterback AJ McCarron to build some confidence against a defense that allowed more than 500 yards passing against Houston last weekend. It might also allow backup Philip Sims to get some seasoning.
Tide receiver Darius Hanks returns after having to sit out the first two games under the NCAA’s redshirt rule.
