Alabama Football Miss State gameday news, notes, tidbits and rumors

Alabama Football vs. Mississippi State has rarely been a big game for the Crimson Tide. The obnoxious cowbells can be annoying but Starkville is not a particularly challenging place to play. The Bulldogs have lost to the Crimson Tide 85 times in the 105 games the schools have played going back to 1896. Of the Tide’s 17 losses to the Bulldogs (there have been three ties) only seven have been in away games.

Even with all of the above true, among Alabama Crimson Tide fans there is considerable anticipation for Saturday night. The Tide does not just need to win. It needs to play to its potential and win decisively. The Bulldogs have a defense that is tough enough to somewhat be compared to Texas A&M. Their corners are weak links and Alabama football receivers and Bryce Young can be expected to capitalize.

Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense is productive but far from spectacular. A focused Crimson Tide should have the game put away by the end of the third quarter.

Coming off a loss, and with every game now a must-win, the Crimson Tide will reveal much about itself in Starkville. Much talk this week coming from coaches and players has been about playing a complete game to the ‘Alabama Standard.’  If the Crimson Tide does not do that Saturday, it will not augur well for future games.

The game should be a good test for the Tide’s defensive attention to detail. Any continued communication issues in the secondary will be exploited by the Bulldogs, who in five games have thrown the ball 284 times. State does not have an effective running game but it throws to its backs frequently. Covering running backs, slot receivers and tight ends has been a problem for the Tide this season. Tide fans should not be surprised if there are formation adjustments Saturday night and possibly personnel changes.

Alabama Football News, Notes and Tidbits

• The Tide’s emergency running back has been identified. It is wide receiver Christian Leary. Leary played wide receiver and running back in high school and even some quarterback. The freshman is not a big guy, listed by the Tide at 175 pounds, but he has speed and an ability to make tacklers miss.
• Outside linebacker Drew Sanders will not play. Freshman Dallas Turner is expected to get his second start since Sanders was injured.
• While the Bulldogs are vulnerable to an aerial attack, don’t be surprised if the Tide staff chooses to work on the running game.
• A persistent rumor has claimed WR, Javon Baker and CB, Khyree Jackson are suspended from the team. Apparently, there have been some issues and the two have taken over Jahleel Billingsley’s doghouse, but are not suspended.
• Former Alabama Crimson Tide great, Sylvester Croom was the Bulldogs head coach the last time State beat the Tide. Croom’s teams won back-to-back in 2006 and 2007.

The game is on ESPN. Greg McElroy will join Joe Tessitore and Katie George. The weather is expected to be clear and 63 degrees at kickoff with light winds.

The complete Alabama Football Game Notes are available here.

Saturday night will be Nick Saban’s 200th game as the Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coach. While in Tuscaloosa, Saban has 175 wins and six, well-known, but still stunning, National Championships