The Crimson Tide hosts the Bears in the 2017 Bryant-Denny Stadium finale on Saturday

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – – The University of Alabama football team went through a final practice on Thursday afternoon, working a 90-minute session in shells at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility in preparation for this Saturday’s matchup with Mercer.

The Crimson Tide will welcome the Bears to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday for Senior Day. The final home game of the 2017 season is scheduled for an 11:01 a.m. CT kickoff, with the matchup airing live on SEC Network. The trio of Tom Hart, Jordan Rogers and Cole Cubelic will call the action.

Alabama and Mercer will meet for just the third time on Saturday and for the first time in 77 years. The Crimson Tide has claimed a pair of 20-0 victories in the series, both in Tuscaloosa, in 1939 and 1940. Alabama head coach is 47-6 against non-conference opponents in the regular season at Alabama, including a 30-1 mark at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mercer head coach Bobby Lamb is 32-24 in five seasons at Mercer and 99-64 in his 14-year career.

Earlier today, Alabama head coach Nick Saban was selected as one of 16 semifinalists for the George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year, the Maxwell Football Club announced. Three finalists will be selected in voting that will take place between Nov. 17 and Dec. 11. Voting for the 2017 winner will commence on Dec. 12 and the winner will be announced Dec. 27. Saban was the 2016 Munger recipient.