Early Signing Day: Dec. 4, moved up three weeks. The regular signing day is Feb. 5, 2025.Transfer portal: The NCAA Division I Council reduced the transfer portal windows from 45 to 30 days. The winter portal opens Dec.

Two of the top teams in the FBS and FCS, both of Alabama and Mercer are in the middle of strong seasons, with the Crimson Tide sitting at 7-2 overall, while the Bears are 9-1. Both teams are also among the top of their respective conferences as well, which are the SEC and Southern, respectively.

Alabama football did not have a tall task Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide easily handled its annual FCS opponent, beating Mercer 52-7 before SEC dates against Oklahoma and Auburn to end the 2024 regular season.

Alabama football did not need to look like the team that pummeled LSU to beat Mercer Saturday afternoon. But at points against Mercer, it did.