TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The only title Alabama likely has on the line this week is of the statewide variety, and thats typically more than enough.The top-ranked Crimson Tide enters Saturdays Iron Bowl against No. 16 Auburn with its spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game already reserved. Since the only other unbeaten team in the Top 25 is No. 14 Western Michigan, a win probably isnt even mandatory to make the playoffs.That doesnt diminish the games meaning to Tide players and fans.It might have been cool to look at from the outside, but from the inside its still going to be a highly contested game and definitely a lot on the line for both teams, Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen said. Its still an important game for us.This one seemed destined to have the Western Division title and playoff hopes potentially on the line for both teams, just like the 2013 game the Tigers won on a 109-yard return of a missed field goal. Auburns loss to Georgia two weeks ago diminished the big-picture stakes somewhat.The game between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan has clearly usurped the pre-eminent role in terms of national title implications.Alabamas just trying to remain above the fray that has swept up every other Power-5 conference contender along the way with at least one loss. The Tide, meanwhile, has skated along to 23 consecutive wins.Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC, No. 1 CFP) enters the week as a 17-1/2-point favorite over the Tigers (8-3, 5-2, No. 15), who may be without injured quarterback Sean White and tailback Kamryn Pettway.The next one for `Bama is against No. 13 Florida in Atlanta for the SEC title.Thats for folks outside the team to talk about, mostly.We dont really worry about hype too much, Alabama tailback Damien Harris said. We just worry about doing whatever we have to do to be the better team.The Tide might have gotten jolted awake after a game against FCS Chattanooga that was still 14-3 after 40 minutes before winding up a 31-3 victory . It left coach Nick Saban telling a TV interviewer at halftime that he was embarrassed by the performance.Even a defense that hasnt given up a touchdown in nine-plus quarters was disappointed with its effort.We didnt play good that last game, linebacker Ryan Anderson said. It felt like we gave up 21 points last game. I was embarrassed.Center Bradley Bozeman called the performance kind of a wake-up call for us.Thats not typically needed leading up to the Alabama-Auburn game.Game notes Offensive linemen Korren Kirven and Cam Robinson are better than we expected after shoulder injuries late in the Chattanooga game, Saban said. He said both will play. Tailback Bo Scarbrough is expected back after missing the last two games with a sprained knee, and Saban said he could have played last weekend. ... Receiver ArDarius Stewart, who was held out of the last game for disciplinary reasons, is set to play in this one. ... Alabama announced Monday the Tide will face Duke in the 2019 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta. The Tide is 4-0 in the event and will open against Florida State next season.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Goran Dragic Jersey . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. Dwyane Wade Jersey . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. http://www.cheapheatjerseys.com/ . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. Rodney McGruder Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Alonzo Mourning Jersey . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. Western Sydney star Mitch Nicholls has urged his new teammates to trust in the patient game plan that got the Wanderers out of a similar early-season funk last season.Much like in 2015/16 the Wanderers find themselves last after the first round having been thrashed by Sydney FC on Saturday.And with just eight players remaining from the 16-man squad that fell to Adelaide in last seasons decider, Nicholls said a slow start is the price you pay for a huge personnel turnover.He believes sticking to the system that worked wonders last campaign is key.Weve changed a lot of players, but not much has changed in the game plan, Nicholls told AAP.That was one thing we didnt do on the weekend,. We didnt put our foot on the ball and keep it and make them work. We had a you-attack, we-attack game.The players that come in, obviously it will take time. Pre-season is a good time to gel but the seasons started. Its about us getting on the front foot and building some momentum.Nicholls said the team, wholl play last seasons grand final foes in Adelaide on Friday, had spent much oof this week focusing on not panicking if a few goals get past them.ddddddddddddIts about us not crumbling, falling apart when they score or get behind, Nicholls said.We really didnt play our game as much. We were forcing it too much and not being patient. Defensively we need to not let them get those chances and be more compact.Like they did last year, the 27-year-old said he would have faith in both the playing roster and coach Tony Popovic.It took the Wanderers a month before claiming their first victory in 2015-16.Were not going to throw it in and change what weve been working on last year and this pre-season based on one result, he said.Obviously its very disappointing at home losing to our rivals, but weve got faith. Weve had a good week on the pitch this week - everyones fit and theres no injuries.Everyones putting their hand up for selection and want to take the game to Adelaide. Well look to get the three points down there. Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Nike NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Store Wholesale Jerseys China Jerseys NFL China ' ' '