Before coaching, Nix was a legend in college football as a player, earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors at Southern Miss in 1998, rushing for 1,180 yards and nine touchdowns. Although talented enough to make it to the NFL, health issues stemming from kidney disease forced Nix to cut his playing career short and move into coaching.

Alabama and Texas A&M the only teams playing this weekend who lost their previous games, the Crimson Tide suffering a setback against Georgia in the SEC Championship while the Aggies' unblemished streak ended during rivalry weekend at Texas.

Former Alabama football star A.J. McCarron is not going to continue his lieutenant governor campaign, dropping out of the race.

No. 9 Alabama has a trip to No. 8 Oklahoma on Friday before a possible quarterfinal game against the Hoosiers.

DeBoer and the Crimson Tide's chief focus can now be on the Sooners after a previous loss to Oklahoma last month put Alabama in several playoff elimination games down the stretch. The Crimson Tide suffered three giveaways during that 23-21 setback in Tuscaloosa despite doubling Oklahoma in total yardage and largely dominating the contest.

Fans let Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack know what they thought of his unique interpretation of 'win or go home'.

Alabama center Parker Brailsford has been playing through what a teammate described as a high ankle sprain. Brailsford's teammates and offensive coordinator have praised his toughness for competing through the injury. Despite his injury, Brailsford only appeared on the official injury report once late in the season.