The Crimson Tide moved up from No. 4 to No. 3 against the sixth-ranked Tigers in Birmingham on Saturday, behind 164 yards rushing and a touchdown from Sherman Williams.
With two more victories, Alabama (11-0, 8-0, Southeastern Conference) could win the national title. It will play in the Sugar Bowl if it beats No. 4 Florida in the Southeastern Conference championship game Dec. 3.
Oregon gained its first Rose Bowl bid in 37 years by beating Oregon State, 17-13. It will face No. 2 Penn State, which beat Northwestern, 45-17.
If top-ranked Nebraska, idle this weekend, beats Oklahoma on Friday, it will go to the Orange Bowl for a likely matchup against No. 5 Miami.
Several teams remain in the running to play the SEC champion in New Orleans. If Alabama is there, the Tide will probably play No. 7 Florida State. But the Seminoles won't play Florida in the Sugar because the teams meet Saturday in Tallahassee, and nobody wants a rematch. The leading candidates to play Florida in the Sugar are Notre Dame and No. 13 Virginia.
Texas Tech can go to the Cotton Bowl with a win over Texas Christian. The other spot could be filled by Notre Dame, Virginia or Southern Cal.
No. 10 Colorado State locked up a Holiday Bowl trip with a 44-42 victory over Fresno State. Colorado State will play No. 20 Michigan, which lost to Ohio State 22-6 on Saturday. The No. 14 Buckeyes will face the Alabama-Florida loser in the Citrus Bowl.
No. 6 Colorado is headed for the Fiesta Bowl, where it could play Florida State, Virginia or Southern Cal. It will be the last game for Colorado coach Bill McCartney, who announced his resignation Saturday, citing family reasons. McCartney compiled a 92-55-5 record in 13 years, including a national title in 1990.
Wisconsin earned a berth in the Hall of Fame Bowl by beating Illinois 19-13. The Badgers probably will play Duke or North Carolina State.
Poll, Results: See Scorecard
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