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The article focuses on Alabama's unexpected struggles in college football, highlighted by their 3-0 score against South Florida and a previous loss to Texas, raising questions about Nick Saban's program and the performance of their starting quarterback.

AUBURN, Ala. -- In the dim light outside the visitors' locker room under Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night, the politicians in Crimson wondered why there should even be a debate about whether they were fit to play for a national championship. The Alabama players, understandably biased, did not hesitate when asked about getting into the Bowl Championship Series title game, presumably against No. 1 Louisiana State, a Southeastern Conference rival. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nick Saban had done his best to dodge the passion and rage of his return to Louisiana State, but he finally joined the fray before it was too late for No. 1 Alabama. Saban marched into the locker room at halftime here Saturday and was so livid with his Crimson Tide players, he said, that he thought he pulled a stomach muscle imploring them to play harder. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]