Defense powers top-ranked Tide past Bulldogs

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama’s offense didn’t put up the video gamelike numbers that had seemingly become commonplace. The defense played so well, again, that it didn’t matter.

The top-ranked Crimson Tide had its second straight shutout in a 24-0 victory over No. 18 Mississippi State on Saturday, while Josh Jacobs ran for a touchdown and caught a scoring pass.

With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa still battling a gimpy right knee, the Tide (10-0, 7-0 Southeastern Conference, No. 1 CFP) turned to defense for another vintage performance.

NO. 10 WASHINGTON STATE 31, COLORADO 7: Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) is pressured by Alabama defensive lineman Johnny Dwight during the first half Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Cougars (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12, No. 8 CFP) won their sixth straight, but it wasn’t as easy as expected against the Buffaloes (5-5, 2-5). NO. 11 UCF 35, NAVY 24: Knights (9-0, 6-0 American Athletic Conference, No. 12 CFP) remained one of four unbeaten teams in FBS. TENNESSEE 24, NO. 12 KENTUCKY 7:

first half and Darrell Taylor recorded four sacks as Tennessee trounced No. 12 Kentucky on Saturday. Tennessee has won its last 17 home games against Kentucky, which hasn’t beaten the Volunteers at Neyland Stadium since 1984.

NO. 9 LSU 24, ARKANSAS 17: NO. 5 GEORGIA 27, AUBURN 10: No. 5 Georgia struck for a pair of touchdowns late in the first half to take control and D’Andre Swift finished off Auburn with a 77-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter to lead the Bulldogs to a victory over their oldest rival Saturday night. Swift rushed for 186 yards to power another big game by Georgia’s running attack, which finished with 303 yards. Having already locked up a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game, the Bulldogs (9-1, 7-1, No. 5 CFP) couldn’t afford to slip up against the Tigers.

NO. 2 CLEMSON 27, NO. 17 BOSTON COLLEGE 7: