TUSCALOOSA | A dozen University of Alabama players received a degree over the weekend, and more than 20 of those who will participate in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 9 will have already done so.

UA coach Nick Saban said the exact number should be 21 or 22, and that senior Brandon Gibson would receive his master's degree.

"(That's) probably pretty close to as good as anybody in the country," Saban said of the total. "I think we had 22 the last time we played in this game."

As for Gibson, he became a master of sports management, with an undergraduate degree in public relations. And the fifth-year senior from Mobile is about ready to put it to use.

"I think that having a master's in sport management will help me regardless," Gibson said. "I think it's a little typical to get a bachelor's degree. I just wanted to take that extra step and utilize my resources that I have here under the university, and hopefully I'll start a successful career here soon."

Saban commented on William Vlachos' value to the team as a third-year starting center, adding that he has been something of a career surprise.

"When we recruited him, I had my questions about whether he was big enough to do the job," Saban said, "He has proven me wrong however many games he's played here, and ever since he's been here. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what he's been able to accomplish and the great job that he's done for us."

Vlachos was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy as the nation's top center. As a fifth-year senior, he is among the few remaining players who were on Saban's first UA team in 2007.

Saban said wide receivers Michael Bowman and Ronald Carswell are suspended and have been for weeks. Carswell had not played this season. The freshman joined UA in January as a mid-term enroller. Bowman saw game action came against Kent State.

Lineman Barrett Jones discussed the thrill of winning the Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman, but called it a team award that he would have preferred to split among teammates. ... Jones said Monday's practice was so focused on simpler fundamentals, it had the feel of a fall camp practice. ... Running back Dee Hart was withheld from contact. Hart is rehabilitating from knee surgery. ... Linebacker Jonathan Atchison, returning from a biceps injury, returned to practice with non-contact status.