Eastern Illinois University Panthers

Six different players scored touchdowns, including two apiece from Kevin Riley and AK Dear, and No. 10 Alabama cruised to a 56-0 win against lower-division Eastern Illinois on Saturday. Alabama held out a few key players — receiver Germie Bernard, center Parker Brailsford and tight end Josh Cuevas — with the Iron Bowl on tap next week.

The Crimson Tide is within two games of possibly losing a shot at the playoffs. And, Sports Illustrated and Newsweek are reporting on rumors that Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is in the running to replace the newly fired James Franklin in charge of the Penn State Nittany Lions. One report quotes a source close to DeBoer refuting the reports. A lot of others are “keeping their powder dry.”

Coming off a home loss to Oklahoma and with lower-division Eastern Illinois visiting Saturday, number ten ranked Alabama will try to reclaim its rhythm before the Iron Bowl. Saturday represents the last chance for the Crimson Tide to tune up its game before the now all important Iron Bowl. Alabama’s Homecoming loss to Oklahoma means its path to the playoffs has narrowed