College Football | No. 3 Alabama crushes No. 20 Mississippi 22-3

OXFORD, Miss. — Alabama picked off four Jevan Snead passes and scored twice after special teams miscues to smother No. 20 Mississippi 22-3 on Saturday.

"This was the most complete win we've had all year, in a difficult situation," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "It's like climbing a mountain. The higher you go the more treacherous it gets."

Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt had won two of his last three and three of five against Top 5 teams, giving the Rebels hope they could re-enter the race for the Southeastern Conference Western Division with an upset. But the Rebels (3-2, 1-2 SEC) wasted a strong defensive performance with early offensive mistakes and never had the kind of consistency needed to rattle one of the nation's top defenses.

Alabama (6-0, 4-0) couldn't generate much offense against the Rebels defense, but didn't need it. Mark Ingram rushed for 172 yards and the game's only touchdown and Leigh Tiffin made five short field goals, one shy of the school's game record.

The defense made it stand up, forcing Snead into the four interceptions, which matched a career high. The Crimson Tide's Cory Reamer also blocked a punt and recovered a fumble on a punt return.

Snead completed 11 of 34 passes for 140 yards, missing badly occasionally but also suffering from dropped balls. Twice Alabama defenders ripped the ball away from Ole Miss receivers who were bobbling it.

"We had a couple of new wrinkles for the game and I think he knew what we were doing," Alabama linebacker Cory Reamer said. "But our defensive line was in his face. And that's tough for any quarterback."

Alabama held the Rebels to 19 yards and one first down in the first half on the way to a 16-0 lead and allowed them past the 50 just four times overall.

Other games

At No. 2 Texas 38, Colorado 14

Earl Thomas returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown and Ben Wells recovered a blocked punt for another score to help Texas pull away from Colorado in the second half.

Jordan Shipley returned a punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for the Longhorns (5-0, 2-0 Big 12), who can now look ahead to Saturday's showdown with No. 19 Oklahoma.

Colorado (1-4, 0-1) led 14-3 behind tough defense and two first-half touchdown passes by Cody Hawkins that quieted the home crowd and even drew boos.

Shipley caught a 39-yard TD with 46 seconds left in the first half and Wells' touchdown on the punt block by Marquise Goodwin put Texas up 17-14 in the third before Thomas' interception return.

At No. 5 Virginia Tech 48, Boston College 14

Virginia Tech settled a few scores with Boston College with one of its most complete games in years.

"We haven't had one like this in a while," coach Frank Beamer said after the Hokies ended a three-game losing streak against the Eagles.

Virginia Tech (5-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) hounded Boston College 25-year-old freshman quarterback David Shinskie all day and pounded the ball on offense with Ryan Williams and an improving passing game.

Tyrod Taylor threw for two early touchdowns and Williams ran for 159 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles (4-2, 2-2) had two first downs and 28 yards after three quarters. Eagles coach Frank Spaziani said: "We had some manners laid on us."

At No. 9 Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 13

Kurt Coleman and Jermale Hines returned interceptions for touchdowns and Ray Small brought a kickoff back 96 yards, dealing the self-destructive Badgers their first loss of the season.

Coleman, playing his first game since a Big Ten-mandated suspension for a late hit, was the only person near Scott Tolzien's pass in the first quarter and returned it 89 yards. After Wisconsin (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) made it 14-10 early in the third quarter, the Buckeyes (5-1, 3-0) padded their lead when Hines tipped a pass, pulled it in and followed blockers on a 32-yard return.

"I hate losing to these guys," Badgers coach Bret Bielema said. "Absolutely, it's something I can't stand for whatever reason. The bottom line is I have to do it again. It's something we'll continue to look at until we have another opportunity next year."

No 10 TCU 20, at Air Force 17

Andy Dalton and TCU (5-0) slid its way through the icy mist, the freezing cold and the Air Force defense to keep its BCS hopes alive with a win over the Falcons (3-3).

With temperatures in the teens and a frozen mist and drizzle falling, Dalton threw for 198 yards, receiver Jeremy Kerley had a rushing touchdown and a 52-yard kickoff return.