Alabama junior left tackle Andre Smith, the Outland Trophy winner as the nation’s best lineman, officially announced Saturday night that he would enter the NFL Draft.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Auburn’s Dan Mazzaferro and Kelly Marx posted a pair of top-five finishes Sunday as the Tennessee Diving Invitational wrapped up its second day of competition.

Even when you put up 10 unanswered points in the first two minutes, it’s pretty tough to scare a team riding a six-game winning streak.

NEW ORLEANS — A new season is here for the Alabama football program.

No, the senior leaders of the Auburn women’s basketball team haven’t ever been part of a perfect run through non-conference opponents, but they’ve come close enough.

Each time No. 4 in the Tulane green jersey scored Saturday against Auburn, a pocket of fans let out a cheer.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Auburn junior Kelly Marx finished in fourth place in the men’s 1-meter competition at the Tennessee Diving Invitational on Saturday, leading a group of eight Tigers competing in the three-day event.

BIRMINGHAM — Opelika’s wrestling team finished fifth at the Spartan Invitational at Mountain Brook High School on Saturday.

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama coach Mark Gottfried finally saw what he’s been seeking from Ronald Steele for three seasons.

The decision wasn’t exactly easy, but defensive end Antonio Coleman will return for his senior season, he announced Saturday at a press conference at Williamson High in Mobile, his alma mater.

Auburn’s relatively weak non-conference slate has been mostly stress-free thus far, especially of late, as the Tigers have rattled off six straight wins against a slew of overmatched opponents.

KeKe Carrier has a tough time pulling off the whole “inconspicuous” thing.

Alabama offensive lineman Mike Johnson, who moved over from his normal starting position of left guard into the left tackle slot in place of the suspended Andre Smith, limped off the field favoring his right ankle with 8:09 to play in the opening quarter. Drew Davis then moved over from his right tackle spot to left tackle, and John Michael Boswell went in at right tackle. Johnson did not return in the game.

NEW ORLEANS — A football game can’t be won in the first quarter, but it can be lost in the opening minutes.

What else would you expect from the Opelika-Auburn High rivalry?

Gene Chizik dipped deep into his past to nab the third member of his coaching staff.

Terry Bowden has taken over a limping Auburn program hammered by NCAA sanctions and down-and-out teams at Salem College and Samford. All three times, he engineered turnarounds.

NEW ORLEANS — A Mapquest search says it is 345 miles from Shreveport, La., to New Orleans. The trip takes about about five hours, 23 minutes.

NEW ORLEANS — Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham will lose both coordinators.  Alabama’s Nick Saban sounded resigned to facing some staff changes on the eve of the Sugar Bowl.

No matter what Gene Chizik does on the recruiting trail, on the practice field or on the sidelines, the success he finds — or lack thereof — through his first go-around will ultimately be determined by the players Tommy Tuberville and his staff brought to Auburn.

For the first time in the Jeff Lebo era, Auburn finds itself on a six-game winning streak.

NEW ORLEANS — Steadman Shealy didn’t throw passes to Nick Walker. Major Ogilvie didn’t run behind blocks thrown by Travis McCall.

NEW ORLEANS — Alabama head coach Nick Saban discussed Andre Smith’s suspension for the first time with reporters after the Crimson Tide’s practice Wednesday at the Superdome.

Sen’Derrick Marks isn’t waiting.

The Auburn men’s basketball team will put a five-game win streak on the line today as it hosts Southeastern Louisiana.

Her team took another one of those steps Tuesday as the No. 9 Tigers (14-0) downed Miami (9-4), 68-53, to win the Miami Holiday Tournament.

Whether you’re a Tommy Tuberville person, a Jay Jacobs backer or a Bobby Lowder conspiracy theorist, finding a scapegoat for the mess that was 2008 is easier than finding a seat at an Auburn basketball game.

Auburn men’s and women’s swimming and diving head coach Richard Quick is fighting a battle bigger than any he’s ever been a part of in the pool.

Sen’Derrick Marks isn’t waiting.

And that’s why Gene Chizik hired him to run the offense at Auburn.