SEC college football

The Crimson Tide saw some improvement in the AP Top 25 following a 45-17 come from behind win over Kentucky. But, it was the earthquake at the top of college football that may be remembered this week.

Whether you were born and raised in the yellowhammer state or just moved to Pell City from Siberia, you are more than aware of Alabama's fascination with college football. Sure some die hard alums may watch high school football on Fridays, and some of us may tune in on Sundays to watch an NFL team or two. But it's not even worth debating that the collegiate version of the sport reigns supreme among the gridiron-enjoyers in our 67 counties. But what about this culture- the analysts, the sideline reporting, the athletes and coaches-- is almost addicting for us to engage with? What subtle tactics are the producers of The College Gameday show using to get your blood pumping on Saturday mornings, and what tricks does ESPN have up it's sleeve to keep us tuned in each and every weekend?

Alabama All-America safety Malachi Moore will miss the 11th-ranked Crimson Tide’s bowl game against Michigan with an injury that had plagued him much of the season. Coach Kalen DeBoer said Moore was scheduled to have surgery on Wednesday and would miss the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Mike Shula is eager to return to the Southeastern Conference as South Carolina's offensive coordinator. This comes nearly two decades after the former Alabama quarterback was fired as the Crimson Tide's coach.

Auburn is landing two offensive line starters from Power Four schools. The Tigers are signing former USC right tackle Mason Murphy and ex-Virginia Tech lineman Xavier Chaplin. Additionally, Trojans safety Zion Branch is entering the transfer portal.

Former Alabama coach Mike Shula is South Carolina's new offensive coordinator. The school announced the move after the board of trustees approved a three-year deal worth $1.1 million a season. Shula joined the team as an offensive analyst last season. He will also be the team's quarterbacks coach.

Quarterback Jackson Arnold is transferring to Auburn after two seasons at Oklahoma. Arnold played nine games for Oklahoma this season, throwing for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 444 yards with three touchdowns, including a career-high 131 yards in Oklahoma’s 24-3 win over then-No. 7 Alabama in November.

SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs, losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama of the SEC but one fewer loss.

Georgia, Texas, Alabama and Ohio State are competing to bring in the nation's top recruiting class as high school prospects across the nation finalize their college plans. The identity of the No. 1 class according to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports may not be clear until defensive tackle Justus Terry announces his decision Friday.

Alabama is getting a boost in the last rankings before the College Football Playoff bracket is set next weekend. The Crimson Tide won last week and moved up two spots to No. 11. Alabama is projected as the last team in and the fourth from the Southeastern Conference.