Earlier in the week, Alabama football players noticed something peculiar: Wooden rat traps scattered around the team locker room and the Mal M. Moore Atheltic Facility.

No, there isn’t a rodent problem in Tuscaloosa. But a favorite line of 17-year UA coach Nick Saban’s is to never, ever, tolerate “rat poison,” or external comments about the program. So literally and figuratively — following a pair of emotional, comeback rivalry wins against Tennessee and LSU — coaches reminded players not to take the bait ahead of a Week 11 trip to Kentucky.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe found the traps weird, but he got used to it, understanding the methodology of Football Guy 101. Defensive back Terrion Arnold took a different approach.

“I’m kind of like, as they would say an adventurer, so I put my hand to see if it really works. I did get popped, right here in my finger,” Arnold said. ” … Coach Saban (was) reiterating this is a trap game, don’t get caught in them.”

As the 49-21 beatdown in Kroger Field proved, the Tide avoided any emotional pitfalls. Alabama jumped out to a three-touchdown lead in the game’s opening 10 minutes. On Friday, Saban asked for the leader of each position group to restate what it had to do to stop Kentucky (6-4, 3-4) and keep its seven-game winning streak alive. And the ensuing 49-21 beatdown in Kroger Field proved the message was received.

The Tide (9-1, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) outgained Kentucky by nearly 200 yards (444-253). And one of the best running backs in the conference, UK’s Ray Davis, was held to 26 yards on 12 carries. The victory clinched the SEC West and allowed the Tide to start planning on Dec. 2 trip to Atlanta for the conference title game.

“I was really pleased that the team didn’t buy into the rat poison, or whatever you want to call it,” Saban said. “I thought this was a little bit of a trap game.

“I told them before the game that I trusted they would go out and (execute). That’s exactly what they did.”

It started early. For just the second time this season, and first since Sept. 2, Alabama’s offense started its day with a touchdown. Milroe converted a pair of early third downs and after missing one snap for a leg injury, he found tight end Amari Niblack for a 26-yard score. Following a UK three-and-out, Milroe needed just four plays to pop another long touchdown, this one to Kobe Prentice for 40 yards.

Then, Arnold forced a fumble from Kentucky receiver Barion Brown and Caleb Downs returned it to the goal line. Milroe plowed forward for his third of six touchdowns on the day, giving Alabama 21 points while Kentucky had -19 total yards.

“The offense started the game out and set the tempo of the game extremely well,” Saban said. “The whole idea was, the way they play on defense is take what the defense gives you.”

Playing without his favorite target, Milroe amassed another historic game. He became the third UA player to produce six touchdowns in one outing, joining Tua Tagovailoa and Bryce Young. The team continued to develop an identity around its quarterback, producing big plays and responding positively after turnovers.

Milroe would force a cross-body pass that was intercepted in the second quarter, but Arnold picked off UK’s Kevin Leary on the ensuing drive. Milroe answered with two more scoring drives after halftime. He eventually was subbed out so backup Ty Simpson and other second-teamers could get some reps.

Toward the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Senior Day crowd began to empty. At one point, a few Tide players walked over to Saban and asked him to look around. Saban has made it known that a sign of a good road game is sending the fans home early. By the final whistle, all that remained was a sea of crimson and smiling faces.

“I didn’t use that (home crowd motivator) in this game, but they certainly got the message,” said Saban. ” … I’m pretty proud of the way they played today.”

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].