Thursday:
No. 10 Alabama (8-2) vs Georgia State (6-4), 7:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Line: N/A.
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
A $400,000-plus paycheck for Georgia State, a startup FCS team. Alabama can equal its second-longest win streak at Bryant-Denny Stadium of 20 games, set from 1941-50. And it’s probably a chance for players like backup quarterback A.J. McCarron to get significant action.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabama’s secondary against Georgia State’s passing game, led by quarterback Drew Little and wide receiver Danny Williams.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Georgia State: Little has passed for 2,033 yards and 18 touchdowns with just seven interceptions, while backup Kelton Hill is the team’s leading rusher.
Alabama: QB A.J. McCarron. It seems likely that the coaches will minimize injury risks for starter Greg McElroy ahead of a game with No. 2 Auburn. McCarron might want some redemption from a poor decision that earned an oft-replayed backslap by coach Nick Saban.
FACTS & FIGURES
Georgia State coach Bill Curry was Alabama’s head man from 1987-89, finishing with an SEC title before bolting from an awkward fit for Kentucky. … The Panthers agreed to move this game up from Saturday so Alabama could avoid a short week of preparation for the Iron Bowl. … It’s the first Thursday night game Alabama has played since facing Southern Miss on Nov. 29, 2001, a game rescheduled because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. … Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram has gone six straight games without a 100-yard rushing effort. … Tide receiver Julio Jones has 28 catches for 392 yards in the last three games – despite a broken left hand.
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