Above: The Crimson Tide’s Richard Mullaney hurdles a would-be tackler in Alabama’s loss to Ole Miss (Noah Sutton)

Auburn began the season with promise, ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press Top 25. Following the Tigers’ 45-21 loss to LSU, coach Gus Malzahn’s squad is out of the Top 25 and scrambling to correct what has been a disappointing opening month.

Auburn had a difficult day bringing down LSU’s running back Leonard Fournette. (Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics)

Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said there will be changes in his unit for their 6:30 p.m. home contest Saturday with Mississippi State. On the other side of the ball, redshirt freshman Sean White replaces Jeremy Johnson as the starting signal-caller.

No. 2 Alabama could not overcome five turnovers last week in falling at home 43-37 to Ole Miss. That outcome dropped the Crimson Tide 10 slots to No. 12 in the AP Poll while the Rebels rose to No. 3.  Alabama welcomes Louisiana-Monroe Saturday at 3 p.m.

OTHER STATE COLLEGES

Jacksonville State at Tennessee Martin: The Gamecocks tightened their grip on the No. 1 spot in the STATS FCS Poll and moved up one sport to third in the FCS Coaches Poll. They’ll face their second Ohio Valley Conference foe at 2 p.m.

Samford at Louisville: The Bulldogs (2-1) will look to bounce back from their loss to Football Championship Subdivision No. 10 Chattanooga. They’ll play the Football Bowl Subdivision Cardinals at 5 p.m. Central on ESPN3.

South Alabama at Troy: The Trojans sandwiched a win between two losses to open the season. The Jaguars have a loss to Wisconsin between their two wins. The in-state rivals meet at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Arkansas Pine Bluff at Alabama A&M: It’s homecoming Saturday for the Bulldogs (0-2). The Golden Lions come in with one win in three outings. This Southwestern Athletic Conference game kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Alabama State at Mississippi Valley State: The Hornets (0-3) welcome their second straight winless opponent at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Jacksonville State University Gamecocks quarterback Eli Jenkins (7). (Steve Latham)

Birmingham-Southern at Washington-St. Louis: The Panthers (3-0) hope to extend an undefeated season as they host the Bears at 1 p.m. BSC has averaged 28 points a game.

Florida Tech at North Alabama: The Lions beat Miles and Mississippi College, each by a 34-17 score. Coming off last week’s bye, they host the Panthers at 6 p.m. Saturday. Can they extend that same-score streak?

West Alabama at Texas A&M-Kingsville: The Lions improved to 3-0 last week, coming from behind to beat Miles 13-10. West Alabama takes a longer road trip this week and takes the field Saturday at 7 p.m.

Morehouse at Miles: Coach Reginald Ruffin said after last week’s loss that the preseason is over. The Golden Bears (0-3) begin their Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference slate at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Tuskegee at Lane College: The Golden Tigers (3-0) are still the top team in the Heritage Sports Radio Network Poll. Tuskegee travels to Jackson, Tenn., and plays Saturday at 2 p.m.

Stillman: The Tigers (1-2) are off this week after falling 21-6 at Albany State. They host Lane College at 1 p.m. next Saturday.

Concordia at Alcorn State: The Hornets visit the Braves Saturday at 2 p.m.

Huntingdon at Belhaven: The Hawks (1-1) return to action this week, traveling to Belhaven at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Georgetown at Faulkner: The Eagles opened the season with a pair of high-scoring but narrow victories. After a week off, they host Georgetown at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

HIGH SCHOOLS

Perhaps the best David vs. Goliath match-up is unbeaten Class 5A Greenville (4-0) at Class 1A unbeaten Georgiana (5-0). These schools, both in Butler County, are just off Interstate 65 and just 20 miles apart. Greenville is No. 9 in the latest Class 5A rankings by the Alabama Sports Writers Association; Georgiana is No. 5 is Class 1A.

Other big games

Class 1A: Top-ranked and defending 1A state champion Maplesville (4-0) hosts  Class 2A second-ranked Tanner (5-0).

Class 2A: Unbeaten and ninth-ranked Class 3A Daleville (4-0) is at Class 2A top-ranked Elba (4-0).

Class 3A: Seventh ranked T.R. Miller hosts Class 5A Escambia County (0-5). According to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society, T.R. Miller coach Jamie Riggs (299-79) is going for his 300^th career win.

Class 4A: Second-ranked Cordova (4-0) is at Class 3A No. 6 Oakman (4-0) in a classic Walker County battle.

Class 5A: Top-ranked Jackson (4-0) is at sixth-ranked Demopolis (4-0) in a West Alabama showdown.

Class 6A: Cullman (3-1) hosts third-ranked Class 4A Fayette County (4-1).

Class 7A: In a clash of Mobile-area unbeatens, Class 6A Blount (4-0) is at Class 7A ninth-ranked McGill-Toolen (4-0).

AISA: Monroe Academy, No. 3 in the Alabama Independent School Association, hosts No. 10 Autauga Academy.