For the Alabama Crimson Tide, Saturday started with recognizing a class of seniors who have been crucial to the program’s success — both in the past and present.

The group includes 21 players who achieved history by getting their 51st overall victory against the Mercer Bears — tying the NCAA record for most career wins.

It was an impressive dress rehearsal in preparation for next week’s showdown against the No. 6 Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl. The 56-0 win included impressive performances on both sides of the ball.

Here are 3 things that we liked from Alabama’s performance:

1. Dylan Moses’ first start at inside linebacker

Last week was Keith Holcombe’s first career start, and while the effort was there, he seemed to struggle. Head coach Nick Saban decided to turn to the true freshman Dylan Moses this week, as he was inserted into the starting lineup against Mercer.

He responded with an excellent performance.

The former 5-star managed to record 11 total tackles (four of them for a loss) and this interception.

His ability to use his speed and athleticism to get sideline-to-sideline could be crucial versus Auburn’s offense next week.

2. Jalen Hurts looks ready to continue his run down the stretch

Hurts was looking like a Heisman candidate for most of last season, but his poor play late in the year ended any chance he had at getting an invite to New York.

That doesn’t seem to be the case this season. Unlike last year, Hurts seems to be getting better as this season progresses.

The sophomore only lasted until early in the second quarter, but he finished a perfect 7-for-7 for 180 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, he carried the ball twice for 30 yards.

Here was one of his (and the offense’s) most impressive plays of the day:

Speaking of Calvin Ridley, he climbed another rung on the Bama receiving yards list.

Bama career receiving yards leaders

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3. Josh Jacobs’ continuing to get more opportunities

Jacobs was injured to start the year, but he has made his presence known over the last couple of weeks.

A week after a performance against Mississippi State that saw him receive 8 touches (6 carries, 2 receptions) for 54 total yards and a rushing touchdown, the sophomore running back was even more effective against Mercer.

He had the same distribution of touches (6 carries, 2 receptions), but he turned that into 96 total yards (41 rushing, 45 receiving) and another touchdown — this time through the air.

Jacobs emergence is allowing the running backs to stay fresh (none of the big three — Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Jacobs — received more than 6 carries against Mercer), which could be critical to Alabama’s Playoff run.

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