MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama is headed to a familiar destination: The Independence Bowl.

The Crimson Tide accepted a bid Sunday to face Colorado in the December 30th game in Shreveport, Louisiana. That's the same place they ended last season.

Alabama and Colorado are both 6-and-6. The Tide took the same record into last year's game -- a loss to Oklahoma State.

Alabama coach Nick Saban says it's a great chance for the seniors to go out on a winning note. They can also lock up a winning season with a victory.

Landing an NCAA-record 55th bowl trip was far from assured for Alabama following a four-game skid that included a stunning loss to
Louisiana-Monroe and a sixth consecutive defeat to Auburn.

Coincidentally, it's the same bowl Saban's first Michigan State team played in 12 years ago. The result of that one: A 45-26 LSU victory.

The Independence Bowl chose Alabama over South Carolina, a team that was also 6-and-6 after losing its final five games.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)