'Bama at BEST on the Road

Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game at LSU (6-2, 3-2 SEC), even with all that surrounds it, doesn't loom all that frightening for newly crowned No. 1 Alabama (9-0, 5-0).

The Crimson Tide has been its best away from Bryant-Denny Stadium this season. It has rolled up its best performances in neutral site or away games against Clemson (34-10), Arkansas (49-14), Georgia (41-30) and Tennessee (29-9), and is pledging to approach the trip to LSU in the same manner.

"I actually enjoy playing on the road maybe a little more than I do at home," Alabama center Antoine Caldwell said. "It's just you. It's just Alabama against everybody else, and that mentality has really worked for us this season so far. We're probably going to approach that game Saturday the same way."

University of Alabama football team more mature and ready to play on the road at LSU