Alabama’s Jones Will be Ready

By Southern Pigskin Staff
SouthernPigskin.com

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Despite his foot injury, Alabama's top lineman will be ready for the BCS National Championship Game.

Alabama All-American senior center Barrett Jones has told ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach that he "feels great" and is "ready to roll". Jones, arguably the top offensive lineman in college football, has only practiced twice since the Crimson Tide's 32-28 SEC Championship Game victory over Georgia. In the first quarter of that game, Jones injured his foot. He has been hobbled by the nagging injury since.

The nation is highly-anticipating Jones' interior battle with 6'3'', 325-pound Notre Dame nose guard Louis Nix. Alabama is averaging 5.56 yards per carry, good for sixth in the country. The Fighting Irish rank fourth nationally, allowing 92.4 yards rushing per game. Jones has helped Crimson Tide tailbacks Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon both rush for 1,000 yards this fall and was vital to the successes of current NFL runners Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram.   

Jones was awarded the Outland Trophy in 2011, given to the game's top interior lineman, and recently won the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's top center.