Offense
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama leads the SEC in scoring at better than 40 points per game. An offensive line led by center Bradley Bozeman paves the way for a unit that averages more than 485 yards. MSU is middle of the pack in the league, but has a strong quarterback in Nick Fitzgerald.
Defense
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama is downright scary on defense, and plays with an attitude. Tim Williams leads a ferocious pass rush, and the Crimson Tide is holding opponents to 13.2 points and less than 260 yards per game. Mississippi State gives up nearly 30 points and more than 400 yards per game.
Special Teams
Advantage: Alabama
The loss of Eddie Jackson in the return game will still sting, but the Crimson Tide seems solid in the kicking game. JK Scott can flip the field at any time with one punt, and Adam Griffith deserves credit for his kickoffs. The Bulldogs rank near the bottom of the SEC in both punting and field goal kicking.
Coaching
Advantage: Alabama
Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen probably deserves more credit than he gets for the job he’s done in Starkville, a difficult place to win. But Alabama continues to roll under the guidance of Nick Saban, who ranks as one of the greatest coaches college football has ever seen, as UA’s No. 1 ranking attests.
Intangibles
Advantage: Mississippi State
Alabama has the better team, but is coming off a run of four straight games against ranked opponents, winning all four – including three road wins. Mississippi State, on the other hand, just upset Texas A&M and could be catching Alabama in a spot where it isn’t as sharp or motivated.
Prediction
Alabama 38, Mississippi State 13
This may be a game where Alabama starts slow before it picks up steam and begins to take over. UA can’t afford to let the early kickoff or mental toll of a tough schedule keep it from playing to its potential, and if Alabama does it will pull away for a comfortable victory.
Alabama 42, Mississippi State 7
Alabama returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium after shutting out LSU. The Crimson Tide keep rolling against Mississippi State, squashing the momentum the Bulldogs bring into this game after their upset over Texas A&M. Alabama’s offense puts up big numbers in this one, and the defense is equally as impressive.
Caroline Gazzara
Alabama 28, Mississippi State 12
I have a soft spot for the Bulldogs, the team always puts up a good fight, especially after last week's slaughter. Alabama's defense will be able to hold Miss. State easily. The Tide needs to run the ball more and become a stronger offense. Hopefully we'll see more offensive improvement this week.
Drew Hill
Alabama 42, Mississippi State 17
Alabama's streak of non-offensive touchdowns ended in Baton Rouge, but the Crimson Tide will start over against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs pulled out a thriller against Texas A&M behind a solid performance at quarterback from Nick Fitzgerald last week. This week they will not be so fortunate, and will get stomped by Alabama's dominating defense.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 38, MSU 14
Maybe in a year when the Cubs go all the way, Mississippi State could at least come all the way to Tuscaloosa and pull another surprise. But we're likelier to hear those sad cowbells one more time.
Ben Jones
Alabama 41, Mississippi State 13
It looks like the toughest stretch of Alabama's schedule is behind it. The Bulldogs, respectfully, aren't at the same level as the last few teams, which should create an opportunity to see how far the Crimson Tide has come offensively during the middle portion of the season.
Michael Southern
Alabama 27, Mississippi State 10
The early kickoff combined with a possible LSU hangover may make this a sloppy game. Jalen Hurts won't be facing a defense the caliber of LSU so the offense won't take as long to get untracked.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 35, Mississippi State 7
I normally look forward to these showdowns between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs because they are usually pretty entertaining and competitive. That won't be the case this year. Look for the Tide defense to smother Nick Fitzgerald and the Tide offense to find some big plays in the passing game.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 31, Mississippi State 6
This might be a game in which Jalen Hurts tries to make some plays in the passing game. I expect another stout effort from the defense.
Terrin Waack
Alabama 42, Mississippi State 17
Despite the loss of Eddie Jackson, Alabama’s secondary looked fine against LSU. That was a main concern - making sure the new positions meshed well - because the defense has consistently been dominant. Don't expect Mississippi State to put up many points. Alabama's offense just needs to pull through, and the Crimson Tide is good.
Tyler Waldrep
Alabama 52, Mississippi State 17
Mississippi State will likely need quarterback Nick Fitzgerald to carry the ball if the Bulldogs want to upset a top team for the second consecutive week. Alabama’s defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks at least five times in three of the last four games and that success continues against the Bulldogs.
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama leads the SEC in scoring at better than 40 points per game. An offensive line led by center Bradley Bozeman paves the way for a unit that averages more than 485 yards. MSU is middle of the pack in the league, but has a strong quarterback in Nick Fitzgerald.
Defense
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama is downright scary on defense, and plays with an attitude. Tim Williams leads a ferocious pass rush, and the Crimson Tide is holding opponents to 13.2 points and less than 260 yards per game. Mississippi State gives up nearly 30 points and more than 400 yards per game.
Special Teams
Advantage: Alabama
The loss of Eddie Jackson in the return game will still sting, but the Crimson Tide seems solid in the kicking game. JK Scott can flip the field at any time with one punt, and Adam Griffith deserves credit for his kickoffs. The Bulldogs rank near the bottom of the SEC in both punting and field goal kicking.
Coaching
Advantage: Alabama
Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen probably deserves more credit than he gets for the job he’s done in Starkville, a difficult place to win. But Alabama continues to roll under the guidance of Nick Saban, who ranks as one of the greatest coaches college football has ever seen, as UA’s No. 1 ranking attests.
Intangibles
Advantage: Mississippi State
Alabama has the better team, but is coming off a run of four straight games against ranked opponents, winning all four – including three road wins. Mississippi State, on the other hand, just upset Texas A&M and could be catching Alabama in a spot where it isn’t as sharp or motivated.
Prediction
Alabama 38, Mississippi State 13
This may be a game where Alabama starts slow before it picks up steam and begins to take over. UA can’t afford to let the early kickoff or mental toll of a tough schedule keep it from playing to its potential, and if Alabama does it will pull away for a comfortable victory.
STAFF PICKS
Joey Chandler
Alabama 42, Mississippi State 7
Alabama returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium after shutting out LSU. The Crimson Tide keep rolling against Mississippi State, squashing the momentum the Bulldogs bring into this game after their upset over Texas A&M. Alabama’s offense puts up big numbers in this one, and the defense is equally as impressive.
Caroline Gazzara
Alabama 28, Mississippi State 12
I have a soft spot for the Bulldogs, the team always puts up a good fight, especially after last week's slaughter. Alabama's defense will be able to hold Miss. State easily. The Tide needs to run the ball more and become a stronger offense. Hopefully we'll see more offensive improvement this week.
Drew Hill
Alabama 42, Mississippi State 17
Alabama's streak of non-offensive touchdowns ended in Baton Rouge, but the Crimson Tide will start over against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs pulled out a thriller against Texas A&M behind a solid performance at quarterback from Nick Fitzgerald last week. This week they will not be so fortunate, and will get stomped by Alabama's dominating defense.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 38, MSU 14
Maybe in a year when the Cubs go all the way, Mississippi State could at least come all the way to Tuscaloosa and pull another surprise. But we're likelier to hear those sad cowbells one more time.
Ben Jones
Alabama 41, Mississippi State 13
It looks like the toughest stretch of Alabama's schedule is behind it. The Bulldogs, respectfully, aren't at the same level as the last few teams, which should create an opportunity to see how far the Crimson Tide has come offensively during the middle portion of the season.
Michael Southern
Alabama 27, Mississippi State 10
The early kickoff combined with a possible LSU hangover may make this a sloppy game. Jalen Hurts won't be facing a defense the caliber of LSU so the offense won't take as long to get untracked.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 35, Mississippi State 7
I normally look forward to these showdowns between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs because they are usually pretty entertaining and competitive. That won't be the case this year. Look for the Tide defense to smother Nick Fitzgerald and the Tide offense to find some big plays in the passing game.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 31, Mississippi State 6
This might be a game in which Jalen Hurts tries to make some plays in the passing game. I expect another stout effort from the defense.
Terrin Waack
Alabama 42, Mississippi State 17
Despite the loss of Eddie Jackson, Alabama’s secondary looked fine against LSU. That was a main concern - making sure the new positions meshed well - because the defense has consistently been dominant. Don't expect Mississippi State to put up many points. Alabama's offense just needs to pull through, and the Crimson Tide is good.
Tyler Waldrep
Alabama 52, Mississippi State 17
Mississippi State will likely need quarterback Nick Fitzgerald to carry the ball if the Bulldogs want to upset a top team for the second consecutive week. Alabama’s defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks at least five times in three of the last four games and that success continues against the Bulldogs.
