Alabama Football: What to know about MSU and Mike Leach

For Alabama Football, games are never really about the opponent. Most Alabama Crimson Tide losses result, less from what an opponent did, but what Alabama Football failed to do, or did poorly.

For that reason, most attention in Tuscaloosa following the loss to Texas A&M has been on ‘fixing’ Crimson Tide weaknesses. That does not mean Mississippi State is not worthy of attention. The Bulldogs are 3-2. Take away errors by officials in the Memphis game and the Bulldogs would be a solid 4-1. The loss to LSU was mostly MSU beating itself, with two turnovers near the LSU red zone.

The Bulldogs did what the Crimson Tide could not do. They went to College Station and won.

Mississippi State Head Coach, Mike Leach is an interesting guy, well known for often stated, odd perspectives. Though his star has faded a bit, Leach is still considered an innovative offensive mind. He gets too much credit for the Air Raid offense. He uses it well and has refined it, but he was not the mastermind behind its creation.

Leach does deserve credit for long ago realizing that doing a few things well can be enough to win – even when a talent disparity favors another team. No coaches’ offense takes advantage of open space in opposing defenses, better than does Leach.

The Bulldogs lead the SEC in pass attempts by a wide margin, even having played five games. Will Rogers has thrown 284 passes. Closest to Rogers is Connor Bazelak with 231 throws. Bryce Young has 196 pass attempts. Rogers is No. 1 among SEC QBs, completing 75.7 percent of his passes. Against Mississippi State, LSU rushed three Bengal Tigers and dropped eight into coverage. Rogers still threw for 371 yards. Rogers has thrown only two interceptions.

Six different Mississippi State Bulldogs have caught 19 or more passes. The most productive wide receiver has been Makai Polk with 46 catches. Second on the team in receptions is running back Jo’quarvious Marks with 38 catches. Only 71 MSU offensive plays have been designed rushes. Marks has the most carries, but the most effective Bulldogs’ rusher has been Dillon Johnson with a 5.1-yard average.

Defensively Mississippi State is led by linebacker Jett Johnson and safety Fred Peters. The Bulldogs’ defense is No. 8 among SEC teams, allowing 5.35 yards-per-play.

Talking about facing Alabama Football after the Tide’s loss to the Aggies, Mike Leach said,

"If we relax against the University of Alabama, then we are the stupidest team in college footballAnybody that thinks there’s 30 teams better than Texas A&M is out of their mind … You had two good teams play, and the home team won."

According to WynnBET, the Alabama Crimson Tide is a 17-point favorite. Alabama Football has not lost in Starkville since Nick Saban’s first Crimson Tide season in 2007.