Alabama took another huge step this week toward an SEC championship game date with Florida.
The No. 2 Crimson Tide (9-1, 6-1) claimed a convincing 31-6 victory at No. 20 Mississippi State (7-3, 3-3) on Saturday in a contest widely considered to be its likeliest potential stumble in the season's final three weeks.
Alabama now hosts Charleston Southern in nonconference action before visiting rival Auburn (5-5, 2-5) to close the regular season.
Barring a loss Nov. 28 to those Tigers and a perfect finish by Ole Miss (7-3, 4-2), the Crimson Tide will face No. 11 Florida (9-1, 7-1) in Atlanta on Dec.