TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Back at SEC Media Days in July, Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason said he and his team would be ready when Alabama came to town.

Mason made it clear that he respected Alabama coach Nick Saban and what he's built in Tuscaloosa. He praised Saban for "the way he handles himself" and "the way he coaches his football team."

But Mason wanted everyone to know that he wouldn't be afraid.