It is a given Alabama will beat FCS opponent Chattanooga on Saturday.

Even coach Nick Saban, known for flipping out when reporters question inferior talent, had a hard time selling the quality of this opponent.

Sure, Chattanooga is 8-2, but the Mocs lost last week 36-28 to Wofford. Alabama has defeated its past nine FCS opponents by an average score of 50-7. In 2013, the Crimson Tide beat the Mocs 49-0.

But that won’t stop Saban and his staff from coaching. In the absence of a quality opponent, Alabama will still set goals. Here are five potential goals for Saturday’s game:

1. Work on improving the secondary: Alabama’s secondary has given up far too many big plays: 32 completions of 20 yards or more. Schematically, the Mocs like to run more than they pass, but the score likely will force them out of their comfort zone. Multiple interceptions, zero pass interference calls and no plays longer than 20 yards are worthy goals.

2. Prepare for Auburn’s running game: More than anything, this game is preparation for the Iron Bowl. The Mocs’ running game isn’t anywhere near as good as Auburn’s running game, but it can be instructive in preparing for the Tigers. Alabama is really skilled at making open-field tackles and even before that, closing running lanes and penetrating behind the line of scrimmage with the defensive line. Alabama has excelled at stopping the run and this is just one more extended opportunity to practice improving at stopping the run.

3. Get Calvin Ridley going: This is a chance for Jalen Hurts to pad his passing stats and hopefully, improve the stats of a receiver corps that has been patient with him. ArDarius Stewart’s stats are looking good, but Calvin Ridley’s numbers are down significantly.

Ridley, who led the SEC with 89 catches last season as a freshman, has just 50 for 546 yards this season. He’s topped 100 yards receiving just twice this season after reaching triple digits four times last season.

After a 1,000-yard receiving season at Bowling Green, Gehrig Dieter’s hopes have not been met and O.J. Howard has once again been underutilized (although, to be fair, he’s improved tremendously as a blocker, even if it doesn’t show up in stat sheets).

In short, Hurts uses his feet when he doesn’t see a clear target and it has hurt some of the receivers’ numbers, but Hurts has a chance to make it up a little with plenty of opportunities Saturday. Receivers should be more open than normal, which will give Hurts the chance to throw the ball instead of running it.

4. Get, stay healthy: Alabama could have a far worse injury situation, but the team is still affected by injuries. Eddie Jackson is missed, Damien Harris is less than 100 percent, Bo Scarbrough is having knee problems, Alphonse Taylor might not return and Lester Cotton is banged up. With an easy game on the schedule, this gives these players and more time to heal up. The team needs to be as healthy as possible with Auburn next week and the SEC Championship after that.

Coming out of this game healthy is priority No. 1.

5. Develop backups: Against Mississippi State, there was some drop-off in talent, although some backups played well. Keith Holcombe has been a key special teams contributor and looked strong as part of the regular defense in the fourth quarter. Alabama needs to prepare for next year, as well for the possible incidence of injury. By getting less experienced players time on the field, the team makes said players happier and also gives them better preparation for more significant roles.