Alabama football aims to score a victory over Mercer, fresh off the Crimson Tide’s big road win over LSU with coach Kalen DeBoer.

Alabama has minimal room for error in terms of the College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide likely needs to win out to make the first 12-team field, already with two losses heading into the Mercer game. But the Crimson Tide should be favored in all of its last three games to close out the regular season. So if Alabama takes care of business, it should make the playoff.

That continues Saturday with the matchup against the FCS Bears, who are first in the Southern conference right now with a 6-1 record and a 9-1 overall record.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game can be viewed on SEC Network+.

Follow along here for live updates.

First quarter

— Alabama wins the toss and defers to the second half.

— Mercer takes over at the Alabama 25-yard line. Qua Russaw is called for a horse collar tackle on the second play of the game. That gives Mercer 15 yards and a first down. Third-and-9 from the Mercer 44-yard line, the pass is incomplete. But Alabama is called for pass interference. DeVonta Smith. A 15-yard penalty to extend the drive. The next pay, Domani Jackson forces a fumble and Damon Payne recovers. Alabama ball.

— 12:07: Alabama takes over at its own 48-yard line. Jam Miller carries for a first down off a toss on the first play for the Crimson Tide offense.

— Ryan Williams rushes for a touchdown of 29 yards. Alabama takes a quick 7-0 lead with 10:48 left after the fumble recovery.

— 10:48: Mercer takes over at its own 25-yard line. Third-and-2 from the Mercer 33, Jihaad Campbell tackles the runner short of the first down. The Bears go three and out and will have to punt.

— 8:29: Alabama takes over on its own 15-yard line after the punt. The first play, Mercer is called for roughing the passer. Next play, Jalen Milroe rushes for a first down. The next play, Milroe tries a deep shot to a wide open Caleb Odom, but Odom can’t corral it. Third-and-4 at the Mercer 48-yard line, Milroe runs for the first down but then he fumbles.

Pregame: Alabama injury update

• DeVonta Smith is in uniform and going through warmups. He had to leave the LSU game with an injury.
• Geno VanDeMark is lined up with the starters at guard. Jaeden Roberts is dealing with an injury after having to leave the LSU game.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.