NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Alabama Crimson Tide have lots of experience being ranked No. 1 and staying focused on what matters most.
That's lifting the national championship trophy at season's end. So last week's emotional victory over then-No. 2 Georgia is not going to linger enough for Alabama to trip up Saturday in a rare visit to Vanderbilt.
“It doesn’t matter what games we win on the journey," Alabama safety Malachi Moore said. "It’s just another stepping stone into reaching the ultimate goal and that’s to win the national championship.”
Alabama (4-0, 1-0) could be forgiven for taking Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1) a bit lightly after first-year coach Kalen DeBoer's 41-34 win over Georgia in his introduction to the Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt has never beaten a top-ranked team.
These Commodores made a lot of changes this offseason and are coming off a 30-27 double-overtime loss at then-No. 7 Missouri. They also are coming off an open date that allowed them to rest up. Vanderbilt opened the season by stunning Virginia Tech in overtime. Clark Lea, who took control on defense in his fourth season at his alma mater, said they have the spirit, energy and belief.
“We have to play smarter, and smart teams win,” Lea said.
The Commodores have a huge challenge in trying to slow down the Tide’s combination of quarterback Jalen Milroe and freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams. Nobody else has really managed it.
Milroe emerged from the Georgia game as the Heisman Trophy favorite. He has accounted for 18 touchdowns (10 passing, eight rushing) with only one interception. Williams leads the nation with an average of 28.9 yards per catch and has five touchdowns, including a late 75-yarder that gave Alabama the lead for good against Georgia.
Lea said Vanderbilt will have to be disciplined on defense. The Commodores are giving up 334 yards per game. He added Milroe will make defenses pay, so Vanderbilt can't get frustrated when Alabama starts moving downfield.
“This comes down to explosive touchdowns and the ability to limit those and to force them to go a long, hard way,” Lea said. "It’s a really explosive offense.”
DeBoer and Lea have known each other for a long time, dating back to Lea's arrival at South Dakota State for his first full-time coaching job. DeBoer credited Lea with doing a tremendous job this season getting Vanderbilt to play team ball. Lea brought in 51 new players this offseason, along with former New Mexico State coach Jerry Kill, his offensive coordinator Tim Beck and their quarterback Diego Pavia.
“Just really impressed with fundamentally ... how well they do things on each side of the ball,” DeBoer said. “They’ve got some things they can hang their hat on, and they’re executing it well.”
Pavia was the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year at New Mexico State, and he loves proving people who passed on him earlier wrong. He led Vandy to that upset of Virginia Tech, and he found Joseph McVay for a 65-yard pass at Missouri for the Commodores' longest offensive play this season. He threw for 178 yards and recorded at least two TD passes in three games for the Commodores.
He's also a slippery threat when running. Moore called Pavia a “wild card. He’s a player that’s not scared of anything. He has nothing to lose and those players are dangerous. He’s a playmaker for their team."
The Crimson Tide not only has dominated the series with the only private university in the SEC, they've won the last 23 games on the field. Alabama also has won 23 straight over unranked opponents. The last unranked team to beat the Tide was Texas A&M on Oct. 9, 2021.
The Commodores last beat Alabama in 1984, winning 30-21 on the Tide's home field.
Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan isn’t biting on whether “the sky is the limit” for Milroe. His answer could apply to the team, too.
“Each week in this conference at the highest level of competition of college football, which is what we’re in, it starts over," Sheridan said. "You’ve got to earn it each and every week.”
AP Sports Writer John Zenor contributed to this report.
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Alabama defensive back Domani Jackson, left, celebrates with defensive back Zabien Brown (2) and linebacker Que Robinson (34) after Brown intercepted a pass in the final minute during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. Find the AP’s top photos of the day in Today’s Photo Collection. For up-to-the-minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan in AP Newsroom.
——————————
ONLY ON AP
——————————
CYBERSECURITY-IRONNET — IIronNet, a cybersecurity startup, had promised it would combat hackers using a unique blend of expertise and software. Helmed by a former director of the National Security Agency, the firm went public in 2021, and its value shot past $3 billion. Then it collapsed. The firm declared bankruptcy last year, leaving behind a trail of bitter investors and former employees who remain angry at the company and say it misled them about its financial health and potential. National security experts, former employees and analysts told The Associated Press that the firm collapsed, in part, because it engaged in questionable business practices, produced subpar products and services, and entered into associations that could have left the firm vulnerable to meddling by Russia. By Alan Suderman. SENT: 2,420 words, photos.
——————————
TOP STORIES
——————————
MIDEAST-WARS — Israel has carried out a series of massive airstrikes overnight in the southern suburbs of Beirut. It had warned people to evacuate communities in southern Lebanon that are outside a United Nations-declared buffer zone. The blasts overnight rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs, sending huge plumes of smoke and flames into the night sky and shaking buildings kilometers away. On Friday morning, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported an Israeli airstrike cut a main highway linking Lebanon with Syria. Also, Israeli forces carried out a strike Thursday in Tulkarem, a militant stronghold in the West Bank. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 18 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a refugee camp there. SENT: 580 words, photos, video. WITH: MIDEAST WARS-THE LATEST — SENT.
Click here for more on the AP’s plans for the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks and the start of the war in Gaza. Find a selection of related photos in the Mideast Tensions Photo Collection on AP Newsroom.
MIDEAST-WAR-ANNIVERSARY-SHAKEN-ISRAELIS — One year after the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants, survivors reflect on that day’s lingering toll. They hid in bedrooms, bomb shelters, safe rooms and even beneath trees as Hamas militants poured across the border. In the aftermath, they’ve mourned loved ones, struggled with anxiety, suffered survivor’s guilt and questioned whether they will ever return home to places that still bear the scars of their ordeal. By Leo Correa and Melanie Lidman. SENT: 1,450 words, photos, video.
HURRICANE HELENE — The search for victims of Hurricane Helene is dragging into its second week. With at least 215 dead, lack of phone service and electricity continues to hinder efforts to contact the unaccounted for. That means search crews must trudge through the mountains to learn whether residents listed as missing are safe. Exhausted rescue crews and volunteers continue to work long days — navigating past washed out roads, downed power lines and mudslides. Sheriff Quentin Miller of Buncombe County, North Carolina, has a message for those still waiting: “We’re coming to get you. We’re coming to pick up our people.” By Jeff Amy. SENT: 610 words, photos, video, audio. WITH: TROPICAL-WEATHER-WARNINGS — Soul-searching and regret over unheeded warnings follow Helene’s destruction. SENT: 1,240 words, photos.
PORT STRIKE — The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports has reached a deal to suspend a three-day strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract. The International Longshoremen’s Association is to resume working immediately. The temporary end to the strike came after the union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, reached a tentative agreement on wages. That’s according to a joint statement from the union and ports. A person briefed on the agreement said the ports sweetened their wage offer from about 50% over six years to 62%. The person didn’t want to be identified because the agreement is tentative. By Tom Krisher. SENT: 770 words, photos, audio.
ELECTION 2024 — Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are trying to get the upper hand with working-class voters in the closing weeks of the presidential campaign. Harris is visiting the union stronghold of Flint, Michigan, while Trump is heading to Georgia and North Carolina. By Chris Megerian. SENT: 530 words, photos. First Harris event at 1:15 p.m.; first Trump event at 3:45 p.m.
TRUMP-CAPITOL RIOT-PENCE — Days before rioters roamed the halls of the U.S. Capitol threatening to “hang Mike Pence,” Donald Trump told his vice president that people were going to “hate your guts” if he failed to stop the 2020 election certification. The exchanges between the two are detailed in special prosecutor Jack Smith’s court filing this week. By Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 1,190 words, photos.
——————————————————
SPOTLIGHTING VOICES
——————————————————
BRAZIL-TRANSGENDER CANDIDATES — Nearly 1,000 transgender politicians are running Sunday in every one of Brazil’s 26 states. The number of transgender politicans has tripled since the last elections. It’s a momentous social change that’s been accompanied by violence in Latin America’s most populous nation. Transgender Europe says more trans people were murdered in Brazil last year than in any other country in the world. The statistics are warped by many nations’ underreporting, whereas Brazil has an active network of advocates, but everyone agrees the country has a serious problem with transphobia. By Eleonore Hughes and Hannah-Kathryn Valles. SENT: 910 words, photos, video.
IMMIGRATION-MIGRANT-WOMEN-JOBS — As record numbers of South Americans come to the U.S. seeking better economic opportunities, many are landing in communities that are unprepared for them, and sometimes outright hostile. Many migrants have also been unprepared for the realities of their new home. Last year, nearly 900,000 women and girls tried to cross the U.S. southern border, more than a fivefold increase over the last decade. Finding a job and an affordable place to stay has been anything but easy. Some women find many of their options for earning a living turn out to be sex work. By Bianca Vazquez Toness. SENT: 2,190 words, photos.
——————————
MORE NEWS
——————————
VIETNAM-TIGER-DEATHS — More than a dozen tigers were incinerated after the animals contracted bird flu at a zoo in southern Vietnam, officials said. A caretaker at Vuon Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa city said the animals were fed with raw chicken from nearby farms. The panther and 20 tigers, including several cubs, weighed between 10 and 120 kilograms when they died. SENT: 340 words.
INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA — Hundreds of colorful hot air balloons are scheduled to take off together Saturday for the 52nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The nine-day festival in New Mexico is one of the most photographed events in the world. SENT: 400 words, photos.
——————————————————
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
——————————————————
ELECTION 2024-TRUMP-THREATS — Donald Trump is returning to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday for a rally at the site where a gunman opened fire in July, grazing his ear. The fallout from the attack and one that followed has dramatically reshaped his campaign, including where he can hold rallies. By Jill Colvin. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.
ELECTION 2024-HOUSE-OPEN SEATS — After a tumultuous and unproductive session of Congress, nearly 50 House members have decided either to not seek reelection or to run for a higher office. That leaves vacancies in several tight races that could tilt control of Congress to either party. By Stephen Groves. SENT: 1,190 words, photos.
ELECTION 2024-CALIFORNIA-VOTERS-CRIME — Ten years ago, 3.7 million Californians voted for a landmark measure that made many nonviolent crimes misdemeanors instead of felonies. They hoped it would lead to a more equitable criminal justice system. Now they are blaming it for a litany of problems. SENT: 1,150 words, photos.
ELECTION-2024-ABORTION-FUNDS — Abortion rights groups have outraised opponents by a nearly 8-to-1 margin in campaigns for ballot measures across the U.S. this year. But the advantage doesn’t show in ad buys in Florida, which has the most expensive campaign of nine states where voters are considering whether to enshrine abortion rights. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.
————————-
NATIONAL
————————
TYRE-NICHOLS — Three former Memphis police officers were convicted Thursday in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, but were acquitted of the harshest charges they faced for a death that sparked national protests and calls for broad changes in policing. SENT: 990 words, photos, video, audio.
GEORGIA-PROGRESSIVE-DAS — Two progressive district attorneys up for reelection in Georgia are under attack for low conviction rates and allegations of poor management. Republicans last year created a commission to discipline prosecutors after Shalena Cook Jones and Deborah Gonzalez entered office in 2020. SENT: 1,270 words, photos.
—————————————
INTERNATIONAL
—————————————
SOUTH KOREA-ADOPTION FRAUD-RESOURCES — Dozens of South Korean adoptees, many in tears, have responded to an investigation led by The Associated Press and documented by Frontline (PBS) on adoptions from South Korea. Agencies, DNA testing and online groups are some of ways adoptees can get assistance to learn more about their own families. SENT: 1,360 words, photos. WITH: SOUTH-KOREA-ADOPTION-FRAUD-PHOTO-ESSAY — South Korea adoptees endure emotional searches for their birth families. SENT: 760 words, photos.
VIETNAM-CHINA-DISPUTED-ISLANDS — Vietnam condemned China on Thursday, saying Chinese law enforcement personnel assaulted 10 Vietnamese fishermen, damaged their fishing gear and seized about 4 tons of fish catch near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. SENT: 630 words, photos.
ASIA-TYPHOON — Work, classes and flights resumed across Taiwan after Typhoon Krathon brought torrential rainfall to the island but finally dissipated over a mountain range. Krathon brought much of the island to a standstill for three days but weakened to a tropical depression early Friday. SENT: 260 words, photos.
TUNISIA-ELECTION-EXPLAINER — Tunisia’s President Kais Saied faces few obstacles to winning another term in the country’s presidential election Sunday because his major opponents have been imprisoned or left off the ballot. SENT: 1,150 words, photos.
————————
BUSINESS
————————
ECONOMY-JOBS-REPORT — The U.S. labor market is still reliably cranking out jobs each month, enough to give Americans the confidence and paychecks to keep spending and sustaining the economy. Yet the pace of hiring has lost momentum over the past several months, evidence that employers have become more cautious. SENT: 930 words, photos.
-————————————-
ENTERTAINMENT
—————————————
MUSIC-MARIAH-CAREY — Mariah Carey relishes the fact she has become culturally synonymous with Christmas. Ahead of her appearance on Sunday’s American Music Awards and an upcoming Christmas tour kicking off in November, the Grammy winner admitted she initially wasn’t sure about doing a Christmas album when her label pitched it. SENT: 740 words, photos.
——————————
SPORTS
—————————
BUCCANEERS-MISSED TACKLES — Tampa Bay gave up 509 yards passing and four touchdowns to Kirk Cousins, including a 45-yard touchdown strike to KhaDarel Hodge in overtime that gave Atlanta a 36-30 victory Thursday night. SENT: 430 words, photos.
METS-BREWERS — Pete Alonso hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off All-Star closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning and the New York Mets beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 to win their NL Wild Card Series. SENT: 920 words, photos. WITH: BREWERS-WILLIAMS — Brewers closer Devin Williams makes no excuses after Mets’ stunning 9th-inning comeback. SENT: 590 words, photos.
REDS-FRANCONA — Terry Francona has been hired to manage the Cincinnati Reds, returning to the major leagues a year after he stepped down in Cleveland because of health reasons. SENT: 810 words, photo.
——————————————
HOW TO REACH US
——————————————
The Nerve Center can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1600. For photos, ext. 1900. For graphics and interactives, ext. 7636. Expanded AP content can be obtained from AP Newsroom. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 844-777-2006.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers place kicker Chase McLaughlin (4) watches his field goal against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
FILE -Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona applauds during a tribute video before the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Cleveland. Terry Francona has been hired to manage the Cincinnati Reds, returning to the major leagues a year after he stepped down in Cleveland because of health. A person familiar with the situation confirmed the move on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 on condition of anonymity because the Reds had not announced the decision.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
New York Mets' Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
FILE - Mariah Carey performs at the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, Dec. 31, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/Invision/AP, File)
A sanitation worker of Kaohsiung city government clears debris in the aftermath of Typhoon Krathon in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Members of the opposition and civil society groups shout slogans and wave placards during a demonstration against Tunisia president Kais Saied, ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, in Tunis, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Anis Mili)
Photos of adoptees participating at the Overseas Korean Adoptees Gathering are displayed on a large screen during the conference in Seoul Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
FILE - Nearly 500 balloons begin to take off during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Oct. 7, 2023, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales, File)
Benny Briolly, a transgender woman running for city council, poses for a photo during a campaign event with supporters and members of her campaign team in Morro do Estado, in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hannah-Kathryn Valles)
FILE - Vice President Mike Pence hands the electoral certificate from the state of Arizona to Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., as he presides over a joint session of Congress as it convenes to count the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP, File)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris waves as she departs after speaking at a campaign rally at Ripon College, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Ripon, Wis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump dances at a campaign event at the Ryder Center at Saginaw Valley State University, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in University Center, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Dockworkers from Port Miami display signs at a picket line, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Vehicles roll along on a washed up road in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Pensacola, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Eilat Shalev talks about the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, at the Nova music festival during an interview at her house in a village near Afula, Israel, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Shalev went to the festival with her husband, Shai Shalev. Eilat was able to escape and hide in an orchard, while Shai was killed. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
AP News Digest 3:15 a.m.
Flames rise from Israeli airstrikes in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
AP News Digest 3:15 a.m.
