Despite making its first-ever Final Four in program history, Alabama's 81.2 points allowed per contest last season were bottom-10 in the country. To help improv

The No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide are proving they are not just a football school anymore. On Tuesday the team forced No. 6 Houston to overtime where it suffocated the Cougars for the 85-80 win.

The Tide did just that in what was by far the hardest-fought victory of the young season. It was a win that Alabama can boast about for the rest of the season as the defending Big 12 champions will likely remain a top-10 team throughout the year after being picked No. 2 in the conference's preseason poll.