Quick thoughts from Mississippi State’s 25-20 loss to Alabama. 

What it means: Mississippi State needs help to get to the playoffs now. Alabama will almost certainly move into the Top Four in the College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday, with Mississippi State dropping out. If the Bulldogs are still in the top six or so, they’ll have a chance to make it in if they win out, but their path just became much more difficult. On top of that, Dak Prescott’s Heisman chances are now nearly non-existent after a 3 INT performance.

What I liked: The defensive effort. Mississippi State did plenty to keep the Bulldogs afloat early in the game despite the offense’s failures and badly losing the field position battle. The defense forced punts on four of Alabama’s first five possessions, allowing a field goal on the other. They were crunching ball carriers and forcing Blake Sims into tough throws, but the field position battle eventually broke the defense.

What I didn’t like: First half play calling. Mississippi State tried to line up and run straight ahead at Alabama for the entire first half with nothing to show for it. Dak Prescott couldn’t get anything going on the ground, getting stuffed at the line more often than not, and it trickled down to Josh Robinson as well. Finally, when the team did get some rhythm running the ball, moving the Bulldogs inside the 10-yard line, Dan Mullen dialed up three pass plays in a row, ending up settling for a field goal after incompletions on all of them.

Key play: Dak Prescott’s third quarter interception. On the Bulldogs’ third possession of the second half, Prescott marched the team into scoring position following a missed Alabama field goal, giving State a chance to get with a score. After moving into the red zone, Prescott underthrew De’Runnya Wilson in the end zone, with Cyrus Jones leaping up to make the interception in the end zone. Mississippi State scored a touchdown on the next possession, but it was too late for the offense.

Who’s the man: De’Runnya Wilson. The offense didn’t get much going, but Wilson was the most consistent offensive option of the afternoon. He had a season-high 6 catches after just 4 catches in the previous three contests. Instead of just throwing to Wilson deep, the Bulldogs used Wilson to pick up a several first downs on passes to the sticks. Wilson finished with 6 catches for 75 yards, although he was shut out of the end zone at the end of the first half.

What’s next: The Bulldogs will look to rebound against the hapless Vanderbilt Commodores (3-7, 0-6) when they return to Davis Wade Stadium next weekend. Vanderbilt had its second bye this weekend.