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.

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.

The Crimson Tide and the Sooners revealed which players are uncertain to play during Friday's College Football Playoff game at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium.

Alabama football could have a handful of players back for its first round meeting against Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff.

Former Alabama football defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt can coach again, at least temporarily. A DeKalb county judge granted Pruitt a temporary injunction against the NCAA, preventing the organization from enforcing its show-cause ban.

Crimson Tide left tackle Kadyn Proctor is on the AP All-American Second Team, while safety Bray Hubbard made the Third Team.

What several OU football players did last month on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium didn't go unnoticed, or forgotten, by Alabama football players.

Oklahoma and Alabama will meet Friday for third time in 13 months in the most significant game of their budding rivalry. Last year, underdog Oklahoma stunned the Crimson Tide 24-3 and cost the Crimson Tide a spot in the College Football Playoff.