Alexander and Zow both missed practice Monday with sprained ankles and coach Mike DuBose said they probably won't be healed in time to play the Eagles. Alabama is No. 16 and Southern Mississippi is 19th in the latest ESPN/USA Today poll.

Both players laughed, and Zow rolled his eyes, when told DuBose called them doubtful.

"I don't want to say doubtful," Zow said. "We both feel like we'll be ready to play. We'll play."

DuBose said the best scenario had them able to practice on Wednesday, but if he had to name his starters now, Tyler Watts would start at quarterback and Shaun Bohanon at tailback.

"Shaun and Andrew are better, but both are very doubtful at this point," DuBose said. "They'll do everything they can to get better, but if things stay the way they are, they won't start Saturday."

Zow, a sophomore, sprained his right ankle late in the second quarter of Saturday's loss to Tennessee. He didn't start the second half, but eventually returned to the game.

Alexander, a senior, also sprained his right ankle late in the game. He was taken out in the fourth quarter and didn't return.

Both had their ankles heavily wrapped Monday. Intense therapy had helped Alexander with the swelling, but Zow had yet to show improvement.

"We've had whirlpool, icing, worn an air boot, gel, ice cups, anti-inflammatory cream and a partridge and a pear tree," Alexander said.

Alexander, who is making a bid for the Heisman Trophy, has 1,032 rushing yards this season and 18 touchdowns. He is 207 yards shy of becoming Alabama's career rushing leader.

Zow has started 15 straight games for Alabama. He's completed 56.8 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Should Alexander not be able to play on Saturday, he said he would demand to wear a headset on the sideline.

"I wouldn't say anything in it. I just want to wear one," he said.

If the two can't go, Watts and Bohanon are ready.

Watts, a redshirt freshman, was expected to challenge Zow for the starting job this season. The two initially rotated through Alabama's first few games, but Watts' role has decreased as the season has gone on.

In five games, Watts is 5-of-14 for 89 yards and one interception. Zow said Watts would be ready.

"Tyler's good, he's a player," Zow said. "He knows the offense inside and out, so I think he'll be ready."

Bohanon, a junior, has run for 112 yards on 20 carries this season. In his most significant action, he ran 12 times for 95 yards against Houston. Asked what kind of player Bohanon was, Alexander said to wait and see.

"You're about to see a lot of him, and he's excited about it," Alexander said. "You never know, he might run for 291 and four touchdowns."

As a freshman against LSU, Alexander was put into the game as a replacement and set a school record by running for 291 yards on 20 carries.