4-0 Alabama goes on the road this week to face 4-0 Mississippi State in one of the biggest games of the weekend in college football. It's the biggest test of the season to date for the Crimson Tide, which has been hitting its stride offensively the last couple of weeks.
But for Keelon Russell, this will be only his second road start. Three weeks ago in Lexington, Russell had a disastrous start with three first-half turnovers and looked rattled as Alabama fell behind 17-13 at the half. He settled in from there, leading a 32-0 second half as the Tide pulled away. He has been dynamite the last two weeks, but this will be a huge challenge in Starkville.
With the potential for pouring rain, this week more than others could come down to a few players stepping up as potential X-Factors. Let's take a look at four of them for the Crimson Tide:
1. EJ Crowell
Alabama continues to ramp up EJ Crowell, and if he can get the pass-blocking side of things figured out, he'll be the leading man in the backfield sooner rather than later. He leads Alabama in yards-per-carry so far this season, and he's a big play waiting to happen.
In a game that could be on the running game's shoulders because of the weather, Crowell could see his biggest role of the season so far against Mississippi State. Junior Daniel Hill will carry a big workload, too, but Crowell and fellow freshman Trae'shawn Brown will be pivotal to the Tide's offensive success.
Crowell has game-breaking potential, and it's only a matter of time before he breaks off an explosive play for a long touchdown. This week is as good a time as any.
2. Tyrell Miller
With Jayvin James "highly questionable" for this game, JUCO transfer Tyrell Miller is in line to make his first start for the Crimson Tide. Miller has seen action in every game this year, working as an extra offensive lineman in bigger packages and on special teams. He saw his most extended work last week in the fourth quarter of the win over South Carolina after James left the game with an injury.
Alabama's offensive line has been night and day better than it was last season. Mississippi State will undoubtedly test the newcomer to the Tide's lineup if James is out. That will put a spotlight on Miller, and his ability to hold up under duress could make-or-break things for the offense in Week 5.
3. Kedrick Bingley-Jones
The Mississippi State transfer could be a key player for Alabama on Saturday in his return to Davis Wade Stadium. While the discussion around Mississippi State's offense has started and stopped with Kamario Taylor, that does a disservice to the Bulldogs' excellent rushing attack and RB Fluff Bothwell, who has eclipsed 100 yards in each of the last three games.
Alabama forcing Mississippi State to be one-dimensional, especially in bad weather, will be crucial for Kane Wommack's defense to find success this weekend. That could put the spotlight on Bingley-Jones in the middle.
He's not a flashy player, but he's the type of guy Alabama didn't have last year. He's going to do his job every play, something that the players next to and behind him can trust. It's hard to put a value on how important that is.
Bingley-Jones will have a little extra juice in this one, and if he can help clog the middle and stop Bothwell, it'll add even more pressure to Taylor to be perfect.
4. Xavier Griffin
Freshman LB Xavier Griffin saw his most extensive work last week against South Carolina, logging 25 snaps. He flipped between the edge and off-ball LB spots, already living up to that Jihaad Campbell comp during the recruiting process. His work on the edge was out of necessity with injuries keeping Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu out for multiple weeks.
Griffin was also frequently used as a spy on LaNorris Sellers in third-down situations, which is something we will likely see again this week with Taylor's ability to escape the pocket and make plays down the field with his arm and legs.
Griffin will find himself in a position to make a significant impact this weekend. If he's able to capitalize, it will go a long way toward Alabama leaving Starkville with its undefeated record still in place.
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