As Saturday night gave way to Sunday morning, Mississippi State players and coaches might be thinking what if, and what could have been, following a loss to Alabama.

Alabama’s offense struggled to get going with just 40 yards by early in the second quarter. Mississippi State (7-3, 3-3 SEC) outgained the Crimson Tide by halftime 254-180, and had a fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line. All that crumbled away with nine Alabama sacks as QB Dak Prescott was held out of the end zone for the first time in 32 games. Yet Prescott still threw for 300 yards despite protection caving in around him.

What could have been for Prescott’s Heisman chances? His career ends without a win over Alabama, the only SEC West team he never beat. What would it have looked like for Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen if he had ended his seven-game goose egg against Alabama? Now 1-13 against Nick Saban, when can Mississippi State improve that record?

Mullen said after the game that his team played “fantastic” defense, but it was the big plays that resulted in Alabama touchdowns that proved to be the difference.

“I don’t think we played a poor game,” Mullen said. “We played a halfway decent game, but we didn’t do what was needed to win tonight.”

FIVE TAKEAWAYS

  1. The offense showed flashes, but didn’t convert them into points. Prescott had a 54-yard pass and a 41-yard pass in the first half, but the result was only three points. “There were (chances) and we knew that going into the game,” Prescott told reporters after the game, “that we would have the chance to throw the ball downfield against them.”
  2. Mississippi State must play better to beat Arkansas. The Razorbacks have won four in a row, including back-to-back road games at Ole Miss and LSU. Ultimately, how will Mississippi State play better after a blowout loss that included some bright spots? The offense had scored 31 points in each game during the four-game winning streak, a stretch when they gave up fewer than 20 points to opponents.
  3. Can the Bulldogs stay motivated? What’s left to play for outside of the Magnolia State rivalry? Entering Saturday, Mississippi State still had an outside chance at contention for the SEC West title. Now what? The three-loss team faces bowl possibilities that range from Music City to Outback, TaxSlayer or Liberty. The senior leadership of Dak Prescott will be important to keep the Bulldogs motivated.
  4. The running game isn’t potent enough to beat the big boys. The Bulldogs rushed for only 89 yards, averaging only 2 yards per carry against the Crimson Tide. The lack of a solid running game allowed the Tide to keep the pressure on Prescott and rack up nine sacks.
  5. The Bulldogs will need Prescott’s running ability. Mullen has tried to limit his quarterback’s carries to protect him. In the last two games, he’ll have to turn Prescott loose for the offense to be effective. The possible loss of WR De’Runnya Wilson would make it more difficult for the quarterback.

REPORT CARD

Offense: (D) — The running game netted only 89 yards, allowing the Tide to come after Prescott, resulting in nine sacks. Prescott threw for 300 yards, but the lack of a ground threat and the sacks prevented the Bulldogs from reaching the end zone.

Defense: (C) — The defense played well most of the night. Three big plays did the damage — runs of 74 and 65 yards by Derrick Henry and a 60-yard pass to Calvin Ridley. Alabama was able to control the ball with its running game, rolling up 235 yards on the ground.

Special teams: (C-) — Cyrus Jones’ 69-yard punt return broke a scoreless tie in the second quarter and gave the Tide an early lift. Westin Graves made two of three field-goal attempts.

Coaching: (C) — The game plan can only do so much. The damage was done on four big plays. The Bulldogs were solid on defense most of the night. The offensive line was overpowered by the Tide’s front, making it difficult for the Bulldogs to score.

Overall: (D) — For most of the night, the Bulldogs hung in there. The Tide scored four touchdowns on plays of 60 yards or more, including a punt return. The offense couldn’t establish a ground game and allowed nine sacks. Losing by 25 points at home can’t be considered a good effort.

GAME PLAN

The Bulldogs’ offensive line was outmanned. Dan Mullen tried unsuccessfully to establish a running game to take the heat off Prescott. When that didn’t work, the Bulldogs couldn’t protect the quarterback. Alabama has a great defense, but nine sacks is unacceptable. A few breakdowns on defense cost the Bulldogs three touchdowns. A special teams bust cost them another TD. The Bulldogs’ only hope was a consistent defensive effort, helped by a few turnovers. The big plays ruined any chance for an upset.

GAME BALLS

WR Fred Ross — Providing a consistent target for Prescott against a tough Tide secondary, Ross caught eight passes for 114 yards.

LB Beniquez Brown — The Bulldogs’ leading tackler, he had a team-high 11 tackles from a unit that was solid except for allowing big plays.

S Kivon Coman — A solid game with nine tackles, seven of them solo, he prevented the Tide from making more big plays.