The last time a Kalen DeBoer-coached team lost two games by mid-October, his Washington Huskies suddenly went on a tear. DeBoer and No. 9 Alabama would love a similar run of sustained success after a dominant road win over then-No.

Alabama football has its traditional non-conference game before closing out the SEC schedule this week. The Crimson Tide faces Mercer Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, in a game it will be expected to win handily.

Leading an Alabama football team that knew its back was against the wall, Kalen DeBoer refused to mention the big picture after beating LSU.