(AP) – The last time a Kalen DeBoer-coached team lost two games by mid-October, the Washington Huskies suddenly went on a tear.

DeBoer and No. 9 Alabama would love a similar run of sustained success after a long stretch. dominant road win Then… No. 14 LSU. These Huskies managed to win 21 consecutive games after road losses to UCLA and Arizona State in 2022; This streak continued until last season’s national championship game.

Alabama (7-2, No. 9 CFP) had its Southeastern Conference game postponed Saturday against FCS team Mercer (9-1) before continuing its push for the league title and playoffs. Except for tremendous sadness, of course.

“Honestly, it’s really simple,” DeBoer said. “There’s momentum to build from and you make sure you take advantage of that and then you keep the pedal down, you stay focused on what you believe in. That’s what we do. “We were doing this that year, and we are doing it now.”

Alabama has won two straight against ranked teams: 42-13 and 34-0 at LSU. Then… No. 21Missouri – Since the road losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee. The team closed out DeBoer’s first regular season season against Oklahoma and Auburn.

Repeating that success from his first season in Washington is a tall order, but DeBoer said it’s something he can look at and “try to figure out what’s working and what’s not working to keep the team moving in the right direction.”

Mercer coach Mike Jacobs knows his team can’t treat this game as a “touristy thing,” but he wants to play well on the national stage.

“The reality is most kids grow up wanting to play in the SEC or the Big Ten, and I think it gives them an opportunity to prove themselves,” Jacobs said.

He said quarterback DJ Smith is playing day-to-day due to a “lower body injury.”

Mercer’s season

Unlike Alabama, the Bears are already in the playoffs at the FCS level. They clinched at least part of the Southern Conference championship and the league’s automatic promotion. This is 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.

Mercer’s only loss this season was at Alabama, a 55-35 loss to Samford on Oct. 19.

Milroe’s quads

Quarterback Jalen Milroe joins Shaun Alexander as the only Alabama players to throw for at least four touchdowns in multiple games. Milroe accomplished the feat last weekend against LSU and last season against the Tigers.

Ty Simpson’s hit?

Alabama’s backup quarterback Ty Simpson is a former five-star receiver who hasn’t seen much action behind Milroe this season but figures to compete for the starting job next season. The third-year sophomore played in four games this season, completing 9 of 14 passes for 96 yards. If this game goes as expected, Simpson could see more extended action.

war of revolution

Alabama’s 21 forced turnovers (eight turnovers, 13 interceptions) lead the SEC and rank fourth in the FBS. Malachi Moore forced two fumbles and intercepted a pair of passes.

Meanwhile, the Bears have had three straight games without a turnover.

Winning coaches

Both coaches rank high on Division I’s winning percentage list among coaches with at least five seasons. DeBoer leads all active D-1 coaches with a winning percentage of 88.7 (110-14). Mercer’s Jacobs (82.2%, 83-18) is fourth. ___

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