What did Alabama football learn against Mississippi State?
Alabama football’s path to the College Football Playoff is very simple after a loss to Texas A&M. If they go undefeated, they will make it to the CFP. If they lose a single game, their season is over. Style points do not matter for the Crimson Tide. It is simply survive and advance for Alabama.
They easily beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs, but they have tougher tests down the line. Fans thought they knew who the Tide were, but those assumptions were proven false last week. Now, we are trying again to learn if this team is good enough to win a title, and every game gives us more information.
The data from this win is in. Here are the top takeaways from an easy win for Alabama football on the road.
5. Early starts are the key for Alabama
Alabama has dominated some early games, but it hasn’t always been the case. With the way this team likes to run the ball and wear down a defense, they need to have an early lead. Against most teams, they can get that. However, their struggles have come when they can’t score on their first few drives.
Against Mississippi State, Alabama had plenty of success early. They scored on their first drive, and Jordan Battle returned an interception for a touchdown. This early lead let them dictate how the game was played, and Mississippi State had to be the desperate team. Alabama is used to this strategy, and they struggle when they are in a different situation.