The Crimson Tide (4-1, 3-0 SEC West) are tied with Mississippi State in the division, a game ahead of Ole Miss (5-1, 2-1). A win by Alabama could set the stage for a showdown to decide the West between the Crimson Tide and Mississippi State on November 13.

Alabama is led by Shaun Alexander, one of a group of players who have been thrust to the forefront of the race for the Heisman Trophy with the legal troubles of Florida State's Peter Warrick.

Alexander is the SEC's leading rusher, ranking sixth nationally. and tops the nation in scoring per game, registering 14 touchdowns. He is second is all-purpose offense with more than 203 yards per game, posting 720 on the ground and 208 as an underrated receiver.

Alexander's versatility has helped the development of quarterback Andrew Zow. Zow ranks 19th in the country in passing efficiency and has thrown for 1,022 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Crimson Tide had a week off after their amazing 40-39 overtime win at Florida on October 2. That ended the Gators' 30-game home winning streak and nearly thrust the Tide into the top 10.

Mississippi's only defeat came in overtime, 37-34, to Vanderbilt on September 18 and the Rebels have run off three straight wins since. With a win, Ole Miss can look forward to perhaps stealing the West, since it plays Mississippi State in the traditional regular-season finale on Thanksgiving Day, November 25.

The Rebels have the less-heralded Joe Gunn in the backfield. Gunn is averaging more than 106 rushing yards per game and is nearly as dangerous as Alexander catching the ball, posting two touchdowns and 145 yards on only six catches.

ALABAMA Season schedule and results	MISSISSIPPI Season schedule and results
Sep. 4 @Vanderbilt W 28-17 Sep. 11 Houston W 37-10 Sep. 18 Louisiana Tech L 28-29 Sep. 25 Arkansas W 35-28 Oct. 2 @Florida W 40-39 Oct. 16 @Mississippi TBA Oct. 23 Tennessee TBA Oct. 30 Southern Mississippi TBA Nov. 6 LSU TBA Nov. 13 Mississippi State TBA Nov. 20 @Auburn TBA	Sep. 4 @Memphis W 3-0 Sep. 11 Arkansas State W 38-14 Sep. 18 Vanderbilt L 34-37 Sep. 25 @Auburn W 24-17 Oct. 2 @South Carolina W 36-10 Oct. 9 Tulane W 20-13 Oct. 16 Alabama TBA Oct. 30 @LSU TBA Nov. 6 Arkansas TBA Nov. 20 Georgia TBA Nov. 25 @Mississippi State TBA