2010Alabama Crimson Tide football
Capital One Bowl champion
Capital One Bowl,W 49–7 vs.Michigan State
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Western Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 11
AP	No. 10
Record	10–3 (5–3 SEC)
Head coach	Nick Saban (4th season)
Offensive coordinator	Jim McElwain (3rd season)
Offensive scheme	Multiplepro-style
Defensive coordinator	Kirby Smart (3rd season)
Base defense	3–4
MVP	Julio Jones
Captains	Mark Barron Dont'a Hightower Greg McElroy
Home stadium	Bryant–Denny Stadium
Seasons ← 2009 2011 →

The2010 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented theUniversity of Alabama as a member of theSoutheastern Conference (SEC) during the2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fourth-year head coachNick Saban, the Crimson Tide compiled an overall record of 10–3 with a mark of 5–3 in conference play, placing fourth in the SEC's Western Division. Alabama was invited to theCapital One Bowl, where the Crimson Tide defeatedMichigan State. The team played home games atBryant–Denny Stadium inTuscaloosa, Alabama.

Alabama entered the season as the defendingnational champion and the preseason number one team in both theAP andCoaches Polls. Favored to win a second consecutive SEC championship and content for the national championship, the Crimson Tide opened the season with five consecutive victories. However, Alabama completed the regular season at 9–3 with and losses toSouth Carolina,LSU, and the eventual national champion,Auburn. With a win overBig Ten co-champion Michigan State in Capital One Bowl, Alabama secured a ten-win season and top-ten finish for the third straight year.

The 2010 schedule was officially released on September 2, 2009.^[1] In accordance with conference rules, Alabama faced all fiveWestern Division opponents:Arkansas,Auburn,LSU,Mississippi State, andOle Miss. They also faced three Eastern Division opponents:official SEC rivalTennessee,Florida, andSouth Carolina.^[2] Alabama did not play SEC opponentsGeorgia,Kentucky andVanderbilt.^[2] The contest against Ole Miss served as the 2010homecoming game.^[3]

Alabama also played four non-conference games. The game againstPenn State was originally scheduled as part of the2004 season, however the series was moved back at the request of Alabama due to fallout fromNCAA sanctions being levied on the program.^[4] The non-conference schedule also included games againstSan Jose State of theWestern Athletic Conference,Duke of theAtlantic Coast Conference andGeorgia State of theFootball Championship Subdivision (FCS).^[1] On December 5, it was announced Alabama would faceBig Ten co-championMichigan State in theCapital One Bowl.^[5] In what was the first meeting between the programs, the Tide defeated the Spartans 49–7 and secured their third consecutive ten-win season.^[5]

Alabama played six of its SEC opponents the week following the opponents'bye week. These SEC teams who scheduled a bye week before facing the Crimson Tide includedSouth Carolina,Ole Miss,Tennessee,LSU,Mississippi State andAuburn.Georgia State also had a bye week prior to playing Alabama, for a total of seven consecutive opponents playing Alabama the week following their bye.^[6] On July 1, 2010, the game against Georgia State was moved from Saturday, November 20 to Thursday, November 18 to give Alabama additional time to prepare for its game against Auburn.^[7] TheSagarin computer ratings calculated Alabama's 2010strength of schedule to be the fifth most difficult out of the 245Division I teams.^[8] The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the 12th most difficult out of the 120Division I FBS teams in its rankings.^[9]

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 4	6:00 p.m.	San Jose State*	No. 1	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	PPV/ESPN3	W 48–3	101,821
September 11	6:00 p.m.	No. 18Penn State*	No. 1	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry,College GameDay)	ESPN	W 24–3	101,821
September 18	2:30 p.m.	atDuke*	No. 1	Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC	ABC	W 62–13	39,042
September 25	2:30 p.m.	at No. 10Arkansas	No. 1	Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR	CBS	W 24–20	76,808
October 2	7:00 p.m.	No. 7Florida	No. 1	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)	CBS	W 31–6	101,821
October 9	2:30 p.m.	at No. 19South Carolina	No. 1	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC (College GameDay)	CBS	L 21–35	82,993
October 16	8:15 p.m.	Ole Miss	No. 8	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)	ESPN2	W 23–10	101,821
October 23	6:00 p.m.	atTennessee	No. 7	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October)	ESPN	W 41–10	102,455
November 6	2:30 p.m.	at No. 10LSU	No. 5	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)	CBS	L 21–24	92,969
November 13	6:15 p.m.	No. 17Mississippi State	No. 11	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)	ESPN2	W 30–10	101,821
November 18	6:30 p.m.	Georgia State*	No. 10	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	ESPNU	W 63–7	101,821
November 26	1:30 p.m.	No. 2Auburn	No. 11	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl)	CBS	L 27–28	101,821
January 1, 2011	Noon	vs. No. 7Michigan State*	No. 15	Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL (Capital One Bowl)	ESPN	W 49–7	61,519
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings fromAP Poll released prior to the game All times are inCentral time

^[10][11][12]

Entering the 2010 season, the Crimson Tide was ranked No. 1 in the AP and Coaches' Preseason Polls.^[13][14] The No. 1 preseason ranking was the first for Alabama since the1978 season.^[13] In week six, Alabama dropped to the No. 8 ranking in both the AP and Coaches' Poll following their loss to South Carolina.^[15] The Tide rebounded in the rankings though week nine, rising to No. 5 before dropping to No. 11 in the AP and No. 12 in the Coaches' Poll following their loss at LSU.^[16] After their loss to Auburn, Alabama dropped to No. 15 in the AP, No. 18 in the Coaches' Poll and No. 16 in the final BCS standings.^[17] Following the victory over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl, Alabama finished No. 10 in the final AP, No. 11 in the final Coaches' Polls.^[18]

During the 2009 campaign, the Crimson Tide finished the season undefeated, 14–0, with wins over severalranked opponents that included No. 7Virginia Tech, No. 20Ole Miss, No. 22South Carolina, No. 9LSU, No. 1Florida in theSEC Championship, and No. 2Texas in theBCS National Championship Game.^[19] They finished the season as the consensus National Champions, being voted No. 1 in the AP and Coaches' Polls in securing Alabama's first national title since1992.^[20] In addition to the national title, sophomore running backMark Ingram II became the first Alabama player to win theHeisman Trophy.^[21]

In February 2010, eighteen players each signed an individualNational Letter of Intent to play college football at Alabama.^[22] The 2010 recruiting class was ranked nationally in the top five by several recruiting services includingRivals,Scout,ESPNU andCBS College Sports.^[23][24][25] Spring practice began on March 12 and concluded with the annualA-Day game on April 17.^[26] Televised live byESPN, the Crimson team ofoffensive starters defeated the White team of defensive starters by a final score of 23–17 before 91,312 fans in Bryant–Denny Stadium.^[27][28] The game was decided after the end of regulation when Brandon Gibson caught a 39-yard touchdown pass fromA. J. McCarron insudden death.^[28] For their performances,Marcell Dareus earned theDwight Stephenson Lineman of the A-Day Game Award and Mark Ingram earned theDixie Howell Memorial Most Valuable Player of the A-Day Game Award.^[29]

By August, Alabama had a combined 21 players on 12 different preseason award watch lists.^[30] These included both Mark Barron, Marcell Dareus and Don't’a Hightower for theChuck Bednarik Award; Julio Jones for theFred Biletnikoff Award; Hightower and Nico Johnson for theButkus Award; Ingram for theWalter Camp Award; James Carpenter, Dareus and Hightower for theLombardi Award; Ingram and Greg McElroy for theMaxwell Award; Barron, Dareus and Hightower for theBronko Nagurski Trophy; McElroy for theDavey O'Brien Award; Carpenter and Barrett Jones for theOutland Trophy; William Vlachos for theRimington Trophy; Barron for theJim Thorpe Award; and Ingram for theDoak Walker Award.^[30]

Alabama had 10 returning starters from the previous season, including eight on offense and two on defense.^[31] The most notable departures from the previous year werelinebackers Eryk Anders,Rolando McClain andCory Reamer;cornerbacksJavier Arenas,Kareem Jackson andMarquis Johnson;defensive endsBrandon Deaderick and Lorenzo Washington;nose tackleTerrence Cody;safety Justin Woodall;offensive linemen Drew Davis andMike Johnson; andtight endColin Peek.^[32][33] Additionally, all ofspecial teams players were replaced following the departures ofpunter P.J. Fitzgerald,placekickerLeigh Tiffin,long snapper Brian Selman and Arenas as thereturn specialist.^[34]

The Crimson Tide began their defense of their2010BCSchampionship at home against theSan Jose State Spartans, and before a record crowd in a newly expanded Bryant–Denny Stadium, Alabama was victorious 48–3.^[37] Alabama scored a touchdown on their first possession on a one-yardTrent Richardson run to complete an eight-play, 71-yard drive.^[38][39] The Spartans responded on the next drive with their only points of the game on a 31-yard Harrison Waid field goal to make the score 7–3.^[38] On the ensuing drive the Alabama extended their lead to 14–3 with a 48-yardGreg McElroy touchdown pass toMarquis Maze.^[38] Alabama again reached the endzone early in the second quarter on a 39-yard Richardson run and a 29-yardA. J. McCarron pass toJulio Jones to make the score 28–3.^[38][39]Cade Foster scored the final points of the half as time expired on a 31-yard field goal to bring the halftime score to 31–3.^[38]

Alabama opened the second half by scoring on their first two possessions.Eddie Lacy scored on a 37-yard run and Foster hit a 24-yard field goal to extend the Crimson Tide lead to 41–3.^[38][39] Lacy scored the final points of the game with a 10-yard run to make the final score 48–3.^[38][39] Both McElroy and McCarron combined to pass for 334 yards on 22 completions and a pair of touchdowns.^[40] For the game, the Alabama outgained San Jose in total offense by a margin of 591–175.^[40] The 101,821 in attendance marked the first crowd of over 100,000 to attend a football game in the state of Alabama.^[41]

WithESPN'sCollege GameDay in town, Alabama defeated thePenn State Nittany Lions 24–3 in a renewal of their historic rivalry.^[44][45][46] Alabama scored first on a 36-yard touchdown pass fromGreg McElroy to Kevin Norwood in the first quarter.^[47] The Crimson Tide added to their lead in the second quarter with a 14-yard McElroy touchdown pass to Preston Dial and a 31-yardJeremy Shelley field goal to take a 17–0 lead at the half.^[47] After a scoreless third,Trent Richardson scored on a one-yard run and Penn State's Collin Wagner hit a 36-yard field goal to make the final score to 24–3.^[47]

Richardson led the team in rushing with 144 yards on 22 carries, and was also the first back to gain over 100 yards on the ground against Penn State since their2008 game againstIowa.^[47][48] The defense also stood out withMark Barron, Robert Lester and Will Lowery each making an interception and Alabama only allowing 283 yards of total offense.^[47] After compiling 207 all-purpose yards and scoring a touchdown, Richardson was named Co-SEC Offensive Player of the Week withSouth Carolina'sMarcus Lattimore.^[49] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Nittany Lions to 9–5.^[48]

In Alabama's first-ever trip toDuke, the Crimson Tide defeated theBlue Devils by a final score of 62–13 in front of the largest crowd atWallace Wade Stadium since the 1994 season.^[52] Playing in his first game of the 2010 season following knee surgery,Mark Ingram II ran for a team high 152 yards on nine carries with two touchdowns.^[53]

Greg McElroy completed 14 of 20 passes for 258 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception.^[54] In the second quarterTrent Richardson scored Alabama's firstspecial teams touchdown of the season with a 96-yard kickoff return.^[53] Other offensive highlights included Richardson gaining 66 yards on seven carries andEddie Lacy gaining 53 yards on seven carries with each scoring a touchdown on the ground.^[54] Through the air,Julio Jones led the team with 106 receiving yards on six catches with he, Darius Hanks and Preston Dial each making a touchdown reception.^[54]

The game also marked the return ofMarcell Dareus following a two-game suspension from the NCAA for receiving improper benefits.^[55] After allowing 13 points in the first half, the Alabama defense shut out the Duke offense in the second half.^[53] The 62 points scored by the Tide were the most since a 62–0 victory overTulane during the1991 season, and the 45 points scored in the first half were the most scored in one half since scoring 45 in the second half of the1973 victory overCalifornia.^[56] The 626 yards of total offense were the most amassed by an Alabama team since gaining 644 againstLSU in1989.^[56] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Blue Devils to 3–1.^[56]

In the first game played between two teams ranked in the top ten atDonald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium since the1979 season, Alabama was victorious with a 24–20 come-from-behind victory.^[59] AfterRyan Mallett connected on an early touchdown to take a 7–0 lead, Alabama responded with a 54-yard Mark Ingram touchdown run to tie the game at 7–7.^[60] Arkansas retook the lead with a field goal and a one-yard Mallett run to take a 17–7 lead at the half.^[61] Midway through the third, Arkansas extended their lead to 20–7.^[60]

Alabama brought the score to 20–14 late in the third after a 20-yard Trent Richardson touchdown reception from Greg McElroy.^[62] The Arkansas lead was then cut to three after a 36-yardJeremy Shelley field goal with just over 6:00 remaining in the fourth.^[62] After Robert Lester intercepted a Mallett pass and returned it to the 12-yard line, Ingram took the next threesnaps that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run to take a 24–20 lead.^[60] After a lateDre Kirkpatrick interception, McElroy gained a first down on a fourth and inchesquarterback sneak to seal the victory for the Crimson Tide.^[58] Ingram led the team with 157 yards rushing on 24 carries and Richardson finished with 85 yards on eight carries.^[58] Kirkpatrick led the defense with nine tackles and an interception.^[58] For his five-tackle, two-interception performance, Robert Lester was recognized as both the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week and the SEC Defensive Player of the Week.^[63] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 11–8 (14–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).^[64]

In a rematch of the previous twoSEC Championship Games, Alabama defeated theFloridaGators 31–6.^[67][68] Alabama opened the scoring with a 28-yardJeremy Shelley field goal in the first, and then scored a trio of second-quarter touchdowns.^[66] Mark Ingram scored on runs of six and one—yard with the third coming on a 19-yardMarquis Maze touchdown pass to Michael Williams on awide receiver pass.^[66] Florida got on the board late in the second with a 39-yard Chas Henry field goal to bring the halftime score to 24–3.^[66] After a second Henry field goal, C. J. Mosley returned aninterception 35-yards for a touchdown to make the final score 31–6.^[66][67][68]

Although Florida outgained the Crimson Tide in total offense 281 to 273 yards, their threeturnovers resulted in 21 Alabama points.^[69] In addition to Mosley,Nico Johnson interceptedTrey Burton in the end zone andDre Kirkpatrick intercepted aJohn Brantley pass.^[69] The game marked the first time Florida had been held without a touchdown since their previous visit to Tuscaloosa in2005, and resulted in Alabama leading the nation in scoring defense by allowing only 45 points through five games.^[70][71]Courtney Upshaw was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after making seven total tackles, with four for losses, a fumble recovery and two pass deflections. Chance Warmack was recognized as the SEC's Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance.^[72] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Gators to 21–14 (22–14 without the NCAA vacation of the 2005 victory).^[73]

WithESPN'sCollege GameDay in town and in front of a sold out Williams–Brice, Alabama was upset by theSouth CarolinaGamecocks 35–21.^[76][77] After Alabama scored on its opening drive with a 32-yardJeremy Shelley field goal, South Carolina responded with three consecutive touchdowns.^[75]Stephen Garcia threw three touchdown passes, with the first toMarcus Lattimore for nine-yards followed by strikes of 26 and 15-yards toAlshon Jeffery, to give South Carolina a 21–3 lead in the second quarter.^[75] Alabama reached the end zone late in the second on a nine-yard Greg McElroy pass to Julio Jones to make the halftime score 21–9 after the extra point failed.^[75]

On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Garcia threw the ball out of the end zone for asafety following a bad snap. After the free kick, Alabama scored on a 39-yard Shelley field goal, to make the score 21–14.^[75] After a one-yard Lattimore touchdown run, Alabama answered with a 51-yard Darius Hanks touchdown reception from McElroy, to make the score 28–21. However, Lattimore scored on a two-yard touchdown run late in the fourth to give the Gamecocks a 35–21 victory.^[75] The win marked South Carolina's first all-time victory over a team ranked number one in the AP poll.^[76]

For the game, McElroy set a career-high in passing for 315 yards on 27 of 34 passes, and Jones had a team high 118 yards on eight catches.^[75]Marcell Dareus was recognized as an honorable mention SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his eight tackle performance.^[78] The 35 points allowed by the Crimson Tide defense were the most allowed since giving up 41 toLSU in2007.^[79] The loss also marked the end of a 29-game regular season win streak, an overall 19-game win streak, and an 18-game regular season conference winning streak.^[79] It was Alabama's first overall loss since being defeated byUtah in the2009Sugar Bowl and their first regular season and regular season conference loss since losing toAuburn in 2007.^[79] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Gamecocks to 10–4 (12–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).^[79]

A week after their first regular season loss since the2007 season, Alabama defeated theirlong-time rival, theOle MissRebels onhomecoming in Tuscaloosa 23–10.^[82] The Crimson Tide took a 10–0 lead in the first quarter on a seven-yard Greg McElroy touchdown pass to Preston Dial and a 49-yardCade Foster field goal.^[83] Scoring continued in the second quarter with Alabama'sJeremy Shelley and Foster connecting on field goals of 19 and 44-yards. Mississippi's Bryson Rose connected on a 22-yard field goal to make the halftime score 16–3.^[83] In the third quarter, McElroy connected with Trent Richardson for an 85-yard touchdown reception.^[83] The catch was the fourth longest touchdown reception in school history.^[84] Later in the quarter,Jeremiah Masoli connected with Melvin Harris on a 15-yard touchdown reception to make the final score 23–10.^[83]

Onspecial teams, Marquis Maze totaled 125 yards on six punt returns and was named SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.^[85] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Rebels to 44–9–2 (48–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).^[84]

In the 93rd edition of theThird Saturday in October, the Crimson Tide defeated theTennesseeVolunteers 41–10.^[88][89] Tennessee scored first, on a 59-yardTauren Poole touchdown run to take an early 7–0 lead.^[90] Alabama responded by scoring on its next two drives: a 36-yardJeremy Shelley field goal, and a one-yard Greg McElroy touchdown run to take a 10–7 lead.^[90] The second quarter closed with a 42-yard Shelley field goal and a 33-yard field goal byMichael Palardy of Tennessee to make the halftime score 13–10.^[90]

Alabama opened the second half by driving 70 yards in four plays, with Julio Jones having receptions of 38 and 19 yards and Mark Ingram punching in the touchdown from one-yard out to extend their lead to 20–10.^[90][91] After Palardy missed a 52-yard field goal, Trent Richardson ran the ball 65 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the ensuing drive for a 27–10 Alabama lead.^[90][92] Later, Robert Lester intercepted a Matt Simms pass, and Alabama extended its lead to 34–10, after an 80-yard drive with Ingram scoring from one-yard out.^[90][92] Alabama scored the final points of the evening in the fourth quarter whenA. J. McCarron hit Richardson for a five-yard touchdown reception to make the final score 41–10.^[90] It was Alabama's most lopsided victory over Tennessee since defeating the Volunteers 35–0 in1963.^[93]

For the game, Julio Jones set a school record with 221 receiving yards, eclipsing the previous mark of 217 yards set byDavid Palmer againstVanderbilt in1993.^[91][94][95] Ingram and Richardson finished with 88 and 119 yards on the ground respectively.^[92] For his performance, left tackleJames Carpenter was selected as the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.^[96] With his 117 yards on 14 carries, Tauren Poole ended Alabama's 41-game streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher dating back toBenJarvus Green-Ellis's 131 yard performance forOle Miss in2007.^[94] The game also marked the first between Nick Saban andDerek Dooley who previously worked for Saban as an assistant coach atLSU and with theMiami Dolphins.^[97] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Volunteers to 47–38–7 (48–37–8 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).^[94]

Coming off theirbye week and in what was dubbed by some as "Saban Bowl IV," Alabama wasupset by theirlong-time rival, theLSUTigers 24–21.^{[100][101][102]} LSU scored first on a 45-yard Josh Jasper field goal to take a 3–0 lead.^[103] Alabama scored their first points early in the second quarter on a one-yard Greg McElroy touchdown pass to Trent Richardson to take a 7–3 lead at the half.^[103]

Both teams traded touchdowns in the third. The Tigers scored first on a 75-yardRueben Randle reception fromJordan Jefferson, and the Crimson Tide responded with a five-yard Mark Ingram touchdown run.^[103] LSU scored 14 fourth quarter points to secure the victory with a pair of Jasper field goals and a one-yardStevan Ridley touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion.^[103] Alabama responded with a nine-yard Julio Jones touchdown reception, but was unable to get a defensive stop late in the game preserving the 24–21 LSU victory.^[103] Turnovers proved costly for Alabama with LSU scoring field goals on drives after a McElroy interception in the first and fumble in the fourth.^[103] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 45–24–5.^[104]

A week after being upset by LSU, Alabama returned to Bryant–Denny and began a three-game homestand to end the season by defeatinglong-time rivalMississippi State 30–10.^[107][108] The Crimson Tide took a 6–3 lead in the first quarter by trading field goals with the Bulldogs on a 36-yarder fromJeremy Shelley, a 24-yarder from Derek DePasquale and a 45-yarder from Cade Foster.^[109] In the second, Alabama reached the end zone for the first time on the evening after Greg McElroy hit Marquis Maze for a 45-yard touchdown reception and a 13–3 lead.^[109][110] After a punt on the next Bulldog series, an 80-yard Maze touchdown return was called back as a result of anillegal block on the play by Alex Watkins.^[109] On the next play, Mark Ingram took a shortbubble screen pass from McElroy 78-yards for a 20–3 lead at the half.^[109][110]

On their first offensive possession of the second half, and on the third consecutive offensive play, Alabama scored on a long touchdown play.^[110] This time Julio Jones ran the ball 56-yards for a touchdown to extend the Alabama lead to 27–3.^[109] Shelley scored Alabama's final points in the fourth on a 28-yard field goal with State scoring their lone touchdown late on a 27-yardChad Bumphis touchdown reception from Tyler Russell.^[109] The Alabama defense allowed only 149 rushing yards, registered fivesacks and two interceptions.^[111][112]

In this game, the Crimson Tide wore Nike Pro Combat uniforms for the first time.^[113] These uniforms featured crimson jerseys with grey and whitehoundstoothnumbers, a houndstooth stripe on thehelmet, houndstooth gloves and an American flag sewn into one of the sleeves in honor ofVeterans Day.^[114][115] The houndstooth design was chosen as a tribute to former Alabama coachBear Bryant who was known for wearing a houndstoothfedora during games.^[114] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 73–18–3 (75–17–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).^[115]

Originally scheduled to be played on November 20, in July 2010 this game was moved to Thursday, November 18 to give the Crimson Tide extra time to prepare for its game against Auburn.^[118] In the first ever meeting against theGeorgia StatePanthers, the Crimson Tide was victorious 63–7.^{[119][120][121]} Alabama scored first on an eight-yard Greg McElroy pass to Julio Jones.^[122][123] After aMark Barron interception ended the first Georgia State drive, Alabama responded with a 71-yard drive capped by a one-yard Mark Ingram touchdown run to take a 14–0 lead.^[122][123]

In the second quarter, Alabama scored on a defensive play when C. J. Mosley returned a Drew Little interception 41-yards for a touchdown.^[122] Alabama then extended their lead to 28–0 on a ten-yard Jones touchdown reception from McElroy.^[122][123] At the end of the Panthers next possession, Chavis Williams blocked a Bo Schlechter punt that was returned 22-yards for a touchdown by Brandon Gibson.^[122] On the following kickoff, an Albert Wilson fumble was recovered by Gibson to give the Tide possession deep in Panther territory. Four plays later, Alabama extended their lead to 42–0 on a three-yard Eddie Lacy touchdown run.^[123] On the ensuing kickoff, the Panthers scored their only points on the evening when Wilson returned the kickoff 97-yards for a touchdown and a halftime score of 42–7.^[123]

With the game in hand midway through the second quarter, Alabama played many of its reserve players in the second half.^[120] The Tide scored in the third quarter first on a seven-yard A. J. McCarron touchdown pass to Chris Underwood and again on a one-yard Demetrius Goode touchdown run after a Chris Jordan interception to take a 56–7 lead into the final period.^[122] In the fourth, Jalston Fowler scored on a 36-yard touchdown run to make the final score 63–7.^[122]

After he completed 12 of 13 passes, McElroy set a new single-game Alabama record for completion percentage of 92.3 percent to break the previous record he set againstNorth Texas in2009.^[124] The game also marked the first time Alabama played on a Thursday night since defeatingSouthern Miss in2001, and the return of both former Alabama head coachBill Curry as the Panthers' head coach and quarterbackStar Jackson who transferred to Georgia State prior to the 2010 season.^[118][125] The 63 points were the most scored by an Alabama team since defeatingVanderbilt 63–3 in1979.^[124]

In the 75th edition of the Iron Bowl, theAuburnTigers overcame a 24-point deficit to defeat the Crimson Tide 28–27.^[128][129] Alabama opened a 21–0 lead after the first quarter with touchdown scores on their first three offensive possessions.^[130] Touchdowns were scored on a nine-yard Mark Ingram run, a 68-yard Julio Jones reception from Greg McElroy and on a 12-yard Darius Hanks reception from McElroy.^[130] The lead was pushed to 24–0 in the second quarter after a 20-yardJeremy Shelley field goal before the Tigers began their comeback.^[130]

Auburn scored their first points late in the second on a 36-yardCam Newton pass to Emory Blake to bring the score to 24–7 at the half.^[130] With the only Alabama points in the third scored on a 32-yard Shelley field goal, Auburn brought the margin to 27–21 entering the fourth on a 70-yard Cam Newton touchdown pass to Terrell Zachery and a one-yard Newton run.^[130] The Tigers took a 28–27 lead in the fourth on a seven-yard Philip Lutzenkirchen reception from Newton that held to the end of regulation.^[130]

With his 10 catch, 199 yard performance, Julio Jones set Alabama single-season records for both receptions and receiving yards in eclipsing the previous marks of 67 receptions byD. J. Hall in2007 and 1,056 yards by Hall in2006.^[131] The loss ended a 20-game home winning streak for the Tide dating back to the 2007 loss toLouisiana–Monroe, and brought Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 40–34–1.^[131] The CBS telecast of this game earned a 7.5rating, the highest for any game of the 2010 college football season through week 13.^[132]

On December 5,Capital One Bowl officials announced Alabama would face theBig Ten co-championMichigan StateSpartans in the2011 Capital One Bowl.^[5] In a strong defensive performance where the Spartans were held to a total of minus-48 yards rushing, Alabama was victorious 49–7.^[135][136] Alabama scored touchdowns on their first four offensive possessions. Mark Ingram scored first on a one-yard touchdown run to complete a 13-play, 79-yard drive on Alabama's first possession.^[137] After a Robert Lester interception of aKirk Cousins pass on the Spartans' opening drive, the Tide scored on an eight-yard Trent Richardson touchdown run.^[137] Alabama extended their lead to 28–0 at the half following touchdown runs of six and 35-yards by Ingram and Julio Jones.^[137]

After holding Michigan State to athree-and-out to open the third quarter, Alabama scored its fifth touchdown in six offensive possessions when Marquis Maze scored on a 37-yard Greg McElroy pass.^[137] Up by 35 points late in the third, the Crimson Tidepulled many of their starters that resulted in many players seeing action from deep in thedepth chart.^[138] Eddie Lacy extended the lead to 49–0 with touchdown runs of twelve-yards in the third and 62-yards in the fourth quarter.^[137] Michigan State scored their only points late in the fourth on a 49-yard Bennie Fowler touchdown reception fromKeith Nichol to make the final score 49–7.^[137] The 42-point margin of victory was Alabama's largest in abowl game since defeatingSyracuse 61–6 in the1953 Orange Bowl.^[139][140]

The minus-48 yards rushing allowed by the Alabama defense was the fewest ever allowed in a bowl game and the second fewest allowed all-time only eclipsed by a minus-49 yard performance againstHouston in1962.^[140] With his pair of touchdowns, Mark Ingram established a new Alabama record for career rushing touchdowns with 42 to eclipse the previous mark of 41 set byShaun Alexander.^[140] The contest also marked both Nick Saban's andBobby Williams' first game against the Spartans since their respective terms as Michigan State's head coach between 1995–1999 and 2000–2002.^[5]

The only change to the coaching staff from the2009 season was the departure ofJames Willis, an associate head andoutside linebackers coach, to become the defensive coordinator atTexas Tech.^[141] Willis was replaced on the staff withJeremy Pruitt on January 15.^[142] Other assistants that declined positions at other programs includedJim McElwain declining an offer to becomeSan Jose State's head coach andKirby Smart declining an offer to becomeGeorgia's defensive coordinator.^[143][144]

Offensive analysts

• Jeff Norrid

Defensive analysts

• Dan O'Brien

Special teams analysts

• Joe Judge

Graduate assistants

• Derrick Ansley
• Jody Wright
• Kevin Garver

Strength and conditioning assistants

• Freddie Roach

Starters and backups.^[146]

Alabama'srecruiting class was highlighted by eight players from the "ESPN 150": No. 16 DeMarcus Milliner (CB); No. 32 Phillip Sims (QB); No. 36 John Fulton (CB); No. 54 Adrian Hubbard (DE); No. 74 Chad Lindsay (OG); No. 89 Keiwone Malone (WR); No. 99 C.J. Mosley (OLB); and No. 132 Brian Vogler (TE).^[147] Alabama signed the No. 5 recruiting class according to Rivals and the No. 4 recruiting class according to Scout.^[24][25] The football program received 18letters of intent onNational Signing Day, February 3, 2010.^[22]

College recruiting information

Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Deion Belue DB	Tuscumbia, Alabama	Deshler High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	4.3	Jun 20, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Ronald Carswell WR	Macon, Georgia	Westside High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	171 lb (78 kg)	4.44	Apr 7, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Cade Foster K	Southlake, Texas	Carroll High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	215 lb (98 kg)		Nov 29, 2008
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Jalston Fowler FB	Prichard, Alabama	Vigor High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	4.65	Feb 14, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Corey Grant RB	Opelika, Alabama	Opelika High School	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.4	Jul 23, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Alfy Hill DE	Shallotte, North Carolina	West Brunswick High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	4.6	Sep 9, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Adrian Hubbard DE	Norcross, Georgia	Norcross High School	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	227 lb (103 kg)		Dec 8, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Brandon Ivory DT	Memphis, Tennessee	Memphis East High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	330 lb (150 kg)		Jan 28, 2010
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Harrison Jones TE	Cordova, Tennessee	Evangelical Christian School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	225 lb (102 kg)		Aug 25, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Arie Kouandjio OL	Hyattsville, Maryland	DeMatha Catholic High School	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	314 lb (142 kg)		Feb 2, 2010
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Brandon Lewis DT	Scooba, Mississippi	East Mississippi Community College	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	280 lb (130 kg)		Feb 5, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Chad Lindsay OG	The Woodlands, Texas	The Woodlands High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	310 lb (140 kg)	5.4	Apr 6, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Wilson Love DT	Mountain Brook, Alabama	Mountain Brook High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	4.7	Apr 18, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Keiwone Malone WR	Memphis, Tennessee	Mitchell High School	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	4.4	Feb 6, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
DeQuan Menzie DB	Wesson, Mississippi	Copiah-Lincoln Community College	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	200 lb (91 kg)		Jan 31, 2010
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Dee Milliner DB	Millbrook, Alabama	Stanhope Elmore High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	4.35	Jun 4, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
C. J. Mosley LB	Theodore, Alabama	Theodore High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	212 lb (96 kg)	4.5	Jan 9, 2010
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Nick Perry DB	Prattville, Alabama	Prattville High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	190 lb (86 kg)		Apr 1, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Austin Shepherd OG	Suwanee, Georgia	North Gwinnett High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	310 lb (140 kg)	5.44	Mar 9, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Blake Sims DB	Gainesville, Georgia	Gainesville High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	191 lb (87 kg)	4.56	Apr 4, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Phillip Sims QB	Chesapeake, Virginia	Oscar F. Smith High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.7	Apr 15, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Brian Vogler TE	Columbus, Georgia	Brookstone School	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	246 lb (112 kg)	4.65	Jul 22, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
DeAndrew White WR	Galena Park, Texas	North Shore High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	4.4	Oct 12, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Jarrick Williams DB	Prichard, Alabama	Mattie T. Blount High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	4.5	Jun 26, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Jay Williams P	Thomasville, Alabama	Thomasville High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	220 lb (100 kg)		Jun 20, 2009
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: 3   Rivals: 2   ESPN: 3
‡ Refers to40-yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Scout.com Football Recruiting: Alabama". Scout. "2010 Player Signees- Alabama". ESPN. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. "2010 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

On the defensive side of the ball, they ranked third in scoring defense (13.54 points per game), fifth in total defense (286.38 yards per game), tenth in rushing defense (110.15 yards per game) and thirteenth in passing defense (176.23 yards per game).^[148] They were also the conference leaders in both scoring and total defense.^[148] On offense, nationally the Crimson Tide ranked 18th in scoring offense (35.69 points per game), 22nd in total offense (444.08 yards per game), 27th in passing offense (261.15 yards per game) and 29th in rushing offense (182.92 yards per game).^[148] Individually,Robert Lester led the SEC with an average of 0.62interceptions per game.^[148]

In the weeks following theSEC Championship Game, multiple Alabama players were recognized for their on-field performances with a variety of awards and recognitions. At the team awards banquet on December 6, Mark Barron, Dont'a Hightower, and Greg McElroy were each named the permanent captains of the 2010 squad.^[149] At that time Julio Jones was named the 2010 most valuable players with Dont'a Hightower and Mark Barron named defensive players of the year and Greg McElroy and Mark Ingram named the offensive players of the year.^[149]

The SEC recognized several players for their individual performances with various awards.Defensive back Mark Barron,wide receiver Julio Jones andoffensive guard Barrett Jones were all named to the AP All-SEC First Team.^[150][151]Offensive lineman James Carpenter,defensive lineman Marcell Dareus,running back Mark Ingram,linebacker Dont'a Hightower and defensive back Robert Lester were all named to the AP All-SEC Second Team.^[150][151]Quarterback Greg McElroy andcenter William Vlachos were each named AP All-SEC Honorable Mention.^[150][151] Four players were named to the Coaches' All-SEC First Team including Barron, James Carpenter, Marcell Dareus and Julio Jones.^{[152][153][154]} Barrett Jones, William Vlachos, Mark Ingram, Dont'a Hightower,return specialist Trent Richardson and defensive backs Robert Lester and Dre Kirkpatrick were named to the Coaches' All-SEC Second Team.^{[152][153][154]} Four players were named to the Freshman All-SEC Coaches' Team including offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, linebacker C.J. Mosley, defensive back Dee Milliner andpunter Cody Mandell.^[155]

In addition to the conference awards, several players were also named to various nationalAll-American Teams. Julio Jones and Mark Barron were named to the AP All-American Second Team and Marcell Dareus and Barrett Jones were named to the AP All-American Third Team.^[156] Barron was also named to the All-America team by theFootball Writers Association of America (FWAA).^[157] Quarterback Greg McElroy, tight end Preston Dial and offensive lineman James Carpenter were all selected to play in theUnder ArmourSenior Bowl.^[158]

As part of the A-Day celebrations on April 16, the 2010 team captains Greg McElroy, Dont'a Hightower and Mark Barron were honored at the Walk of Fame ceremony at the base ofDenny Chimes.^[159] Later that day, as recognition for becoming the fifthAlabama head coach to win a national championship with the2009 squad, the university unveiled a statue of coach Saban along the Walk of Champions outside Bryant–Denny Stadium.^[160]

In the week following the Capitol One Bowl victory, several changes were made to the Alabama coaching staff. Defensive line coach Bo Davis resigned his position to serve as thedefensive tackles coach forTexas.^[161] The following day, Chris Rumph was hired by Coach Saban fromClemson to replace Davis as defensive line coach.^[162] On January 12, assistant head coach and offensive line coachJoe Pendry announced his retirement.^[163] The following day, formerMiamiinterim head coachJeff Stoutland was hired to replace Pendry as offensive line coach.^[164] On January 21,wide receivers coach andrecruiting coordinatorCurt Cignetti resigned his position to accept the head coaching job atIndiana University of Pennsylvania.^[165] On February 7,Mike Groh was hired a Cignetti's replacement as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator.^[166]

Of all thedraft-eligible juniors, Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Marcell Dareus declared their eligibility for the2011 NFL draft on January 7.^[167][168] At the time of their announcement, each was projected as a first round pick.^[167][168] Five Alabama players, two seniors and three juniors, were invited to theNFL Scouting Combine.^[169] The invited players were offensive lineman James Carpenter, quarterback Greg McElroy, defensive end Marcell Dareus, running back Mark Ingram, and wide receiver Julio Jones.^[169] In the draft, Alabama set a school record with four players selected in the first round.^[170] The first round selections were Dareus (3rdBuffalo Bills), Jones (6thAtlanta Falcons), Carpenter (25thSeattle Seahawks) and Ingram (28thNew Orleans Saints).^[170] McElroy was selected in the seventh round (208thNew York Jets).^[171] Preston Dial signed as anundrafted free agent with theDetroit Lions in July 2011 after theNFL labor dispute was resolved.^[172]

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