TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Alabama's football team took Monday off

to start its open week.

The second-ranked Crimson Tide returns to the practice field

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Coach Nick Saban said Monday you

can't try to maintain game-week intensity for an open date, but he

wants his players to keep the same kind of consistency in practice.

Saban said that will make it easier for them to bring the

intensity back up for the Mississippi game the next weekend.

He said the Tide will use the open date to determine if any

changes need to be made among personnel in starting or backup

spots. He also has already started studying the remaining opponents

on the schedule.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)