Key Matchups
Alabama Pass Rush vs Mississippi State Offensive Line
A vast-majority of Mississippi State’s offensive production comes through the passing game as quarterback Will Rogers is averaging 57 pass attempts per game. It will be important for Alabama’s defensive line to apply pressure rushing the passer, an area that was lacking a week ago.
Josh Jobe vs Makai Polk
Polk is the Bulldogs top receiving option, and leads the SEC with 9.2 catches per game. Having caught 10+ passes in three of his five games this season, it will be key for Jobe and others to limit Polk getting into open space.
Henry To’o To’o/Christian Harris vs Jo’quavious Marks/Dillon Johnson
Mississippi State uses both running backs often in the passing game with both having had success this season. To’o To’o and Harris will likely cover Marks and Johnson coming out of the backfield, and will play a key role on the potential success or lack there of for the Bulldogs passing game.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs Mississippi State Bulldogs Prediction
Alabama has won 13 consecutive meetings between the two teams, which includes an impressive 41-0 win a season ago in Tuscaloosa.
When looking at these last 13 games between the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs, Mississippi State has only eclipsed the 10-point mark three times (10-2010, 20-2014, 24-2017), with the most-recent coming in Starkville. In what was a night-game, the Bulldogs had success against Alabama, but as you know by now the Crimson Tide won via a late fourth quarter touchdown.
The Bulldogs have simply struggled to score at-times against Alabama across the last decade, but the opportunity could be favorable here against a defense that struggled last week. However, there is also a chance that we could see the highest motivated Crimson Tide defense of the season on Saturday as well.
Mississippi State’s passing game could see success at-times against the Alabama defense, but expect the Crimson Tide to also have a big game. Overall, expect a big bounce-back performance from the Crimson Tide on both sides of the ball to get back on their winning ways.
Prediction: Alabama 38, Mississippi State 17