With seemingly nothing to play for, Alabama played like it had nothing to lose.

Anniston Star Senior Editor Mark Edwards takes Alabama, Ohio State and Ole Miss, which will thrive as long as nobody mentions a pine box.

TUSCALOOSA — Normally, Alabama’s annual showdown with an FCS foe is often remembered for what happened elsewhere.

Alabama’s magical mystery road tour continued Saturday, making for spellbinding television once again. But the goal this time was quite different.

Alabama is licking its wounds, while Auburn has some hope after finally telling Bryan Harsin he was welcome to walk out the door, turn right to the parking lot, drive out of town and never come back. Meanwhile, Jacksonville State remains the ASUN Conference's worst nightmare.

Now, the question for Alabama: With no national title left to play for, can the Tide turn 2022 into another 2010 or 2019 and return to prominence next season? Only if Alabama can regain the road warrior mentality.

Alabama faces an SEC West rival, while Auburn is playing out the string under interim coach Carnell "Cadillac” Williams.

TUSCALOOSA — Don’t let the annual cruise-control victory over No. 24 Mississippi State fool you.

It’s a tale as old as a time: Alabama loses a regular-season game, then bounces back decisively the next week against Mississippi State.

Alabama should rebound this weekend, and Jacksonville State is set for its fourth straight win.

An imperfect Alabama team that flirted with disaster too often paid the price Saturday in Neyland Stadium.

Top-ranked Alabama overcame a turnover palooza to deny Texas A&M its biggest win since this time last year, winning 24-20 and potentially leaving reason for voters to elevate Ohio State to the No. 1 ranking Sunday.

Alabama ventured to the fringe of the Ozark Mountains on a mission of self-discovery Saturday afternoon. That wasn’t the plan, of course.

If it's possible for a five-star prospect to fly under the radar, Ja'Corey Brooks has for much of his Alabama career, even though he caught the game-tying TD against Auburn a year ago. He's starting to assert himself, says senior editor Mark Edwards.

"Are you going to play to that standard on a consistent basis?" Nick Saban asked his team this week. Alabama moved closer to what Saban wanted, and as a result, the Tide smacked Louisiana Monroe 63-7.

The lead was comfortable, even if the performance didn’t match. Just a week after a near loss at Texas, No. 2 Alabama was well out in front.

Alabama eases into this week after last week's scare in Texas. Auburn and Jacksonville State have their toughest matchups so far this season.

Columnist Doug Segrest: "The unranked Longhorns, an SEC member in waiting, outplayed No. 1 Alabama for three quarters on a steamy, humid Austin afternoon, only to fall in a way that only a true Tide rival can."