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Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s annual rivalry between Mississippi State and Alabama from Tuscaloosa:
When: Saturday, November 15
Where: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Game Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Current Line: Alabama (-10)
SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS
- Video: Mississippi State vs. Alabama trailer
- Video: Bulldogs vs. Crimson Tide preview
- Can Dak Prescott exploit Alabama’s defense?
- Alabama-MSU could come down to a kicker
- Amari Cooper needs to get back on A-game
MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS
Players to watch:
- QB Dak Prescott
- RB Josh Robinson
- WR Jameon Lewis
- WR De’Runnya Wilson
- DE Preston Smith
- LB Benardrick McKinney
- LB Beniquez Brown
- DB Jamerson Love
- DB Will Redmond
Keys for Mississippi State:
- Get Prescott on the move: Alabama has had issues with mobile quarterbacks in recent seasons, and Prescott is perfectly equipped to exploit that. He’s obviously one of the best and most powerful running quarterbacks in the nation, but he’s also a shifty runner behind the line who can create space for throws.
- Harrass Blake Sims: Alabama’s senior quarterback has had issues when teams have interrupted his rhythm on drop backs, although most of those instances have been on the road. The Crimson Tide went pass-heavy against LSU a week ago, and they’ll be even more tempted to do so against the Bulldogs’ poor pass defense and stout run defense. Getting pressure on Sims will be the easiest way to remedy that.
- Don’t let Amari Cooper win: The junior receiver is the best in the SEC by a mile, and he has the skill set to light up the Bulldogs. While coaches have talked about playing him single coverage, that sounds like a recipe for disaster. If Mississippi State can wrap him up near the line on screens and not let him find wide open spaces in coverage, it will hamper the Crimson Tide’s offense.
Mississippi State’s glaring weakness to watch: The defensive secondary certainly has some talent and they do a good job of breaking up deep balls, but they are last in the SEC in long pass plays allowed. Alabama is right near the top of the conference in those types of passing plays thanks to Cooper’s brilliance. If Cooper can break the defense on multiple occasions, that compromises the Bulldogs’ defensive plan.
Most interesting part of this game: Will the Bulldogs be up to the moment? This is the biggest game in program history. None of Mississippi State’s players have ever been involved in a game like this, and Dan Mullen has only as a coordinator. They run into an Alabama team that is involved in this kind of matchup every season. How much will that experience matter?
Team buzz: Mullen is saying all the right things this week, and the Bulldogs sound loose and ready to roll. They’re the No. 1 team in the nation and control their playoff destiny all the way, but the tilt in Tuscaloosa will define the season.
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Players to watch:
- QB Blake Sims
- RB T.J. Yeldon
- WR Amari Cooper
- LB Reggie Ragland
- S Landon Collins
Keys for Alabama:
- Sweet confines of Bryant-Denny. Alabama’s offense has been a different beast at home than on the road, and the return home for Lane Kiffin and company should bode well for the Crimson Tide to put up some points this afternoon. Nick Saban said on College GameDay on Saturday morning T.J. Yeldon is a gametime decision, which could be big for Alabama’s ability to run the ball.
- Protect Blake Sims. Mississippi State boasts a ferocious front seven led by Preston Smith and Benardrick McKinney. The Crimson Tide’s ability to protect Blake Sims and give him time to throw the football will be important.
- Watch the perimeter. From tackle to tackle, Alabama’s defense presents a huge challenge for the Bulldogs. But Dak Prescott and company like to get to the perimeter of the field, and that’s where Alabama has been vulnerable. It’s ability to play east to west could be huge on Saturday afternoon.
Crimson Tide’s glaring weakness to watch: Could Alabama’s inability to stop mobile quarterbacks rear its ugly head this week? Prescott will look to have big games both on the ground and through the air. How effective will Alabama be in stopping the Heisman frontrunner?
Most interesting part of this game: It’s another week and another big game for Nick Saban’s team. The Crimson Tide are favored, but don’t pay attention to that part of the game. Alabama will be prepared to play, and are as good as anyone in the country at home. Look for the Tide to make a statement as the best one-loss team in the nation.
Team buzz: It’s win and you’re in for Alabama. Mississippi State presents a tough challenge, but the Crimson Tide will be ready to play.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.