Crimson Red Sports

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - The night air hinted that fall was just a few days off.

Alabama's 41-0 disposal of an overmatched North Texas team signaled the end of the tinkering and tune-ups for the second-ranked Crimson Tide.

Ready or not, it's time for Alabama to test itself against some SEC competition beginning with No. 14 Arkansas next Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
 
"SEC play is always big playing all four quarters and never getting a break in the SEC," defensive lineman Damion Square said. "...In the SEC, the game is never over."

Still important is dissecting Alabama (3-0) and its clobbering of the Mean Green (0-3).

The late-round knockout came courtesy of running backs Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy while the defense pitched its first shutout since a 45-0 win against Chattanooga on Nov. 21, 2009.

Richardson and Lacy both had career games while the offense amassed 586 yards of offense. They were the first Alabama running backs share 150-yard-plus touchdown performances in a single game. 

Richardson's night was worthy of stirring up more Heisman Trophy candidacy conversation. He put up a career high 167 yards rushing on 11 carries highlighted by his 71-yard fourth-quarter touchdown, the longest of his career.