Alabama hasn’t lost often in recent years. So it’s not typical for the Crimson Tide to need to have a bounce-back performance in a given week.

However, that’s what Alabama is looking to do this week. Coming off a loss at Texas A&M, the Crimson Tide hope to avoid their first losing streak since 2013, as they travel to Mississippi State for a Saturday night contest.

Alabama junior defensive lineman DJ Dale knows it’s an important matchup for the team.

“This a huge statement game for us,” Dale told reporters, including Stephen M. Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine. “The Texas A&M game has opened everyone’s eyes. We now have a point to prove. Everyone wants to beat us.”

This past Saturday, the Crimson Tide fell to the Aggies, 41-38. Alabama trailed for most of the game, then rallied back to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. However, Texas A&M scored 10 points in the final 3 minutes to win it.

The Tide are still the No. 5 team in the country and will be favored to win at Mississippi State. However, they may not be able to afford any more losses if they still hope to reach the College Football Playoff this season, and they certainly can’t lose to the unranked Bulldogs.

Alabama and Mississippi State are set to kick off on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.