5 Alabama players who deserve game balls after beatdown of Mississippi State

It wasn't always perfect, but Alabama did what it's done in each of its first five games so far this season: win by multiple scores.

Alabama made too many mistakes early in the game that allowed Mississippi State to stay close. Penalties and a pair of costly turnovers had the game within one score late in the second quarter. Alabama ultimately took a 28-17 lead at halftime before the Crimson Tide dominated the final 30 minutes, outscoring the Bulldogs 28-6 in the second half to roll to a 56-23 win.

Alabama is now 5-0, giving itself a legitimate margin for error over the final seven games of the regular season. The Crimson Tide looks like more than just a College Football Playoff team, too: they look like a real contender to win the national title.

Let's hand out some game balls from Alabama's 33-point road win:

1. Keelon Russell

At this point, we can just start this piece every week by giving a game ball to Russell. The sophomore sensation looked night-and-day improved from his first road start in Lexington in Week 2. He avoided the costly turnovers that plagued him in that first half and was the better player in a duel with Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor.

Russell produced over 300 yards of offense again, throwing for 285 yards and three touchdowns while adding 16 yards and another score on the ground. It's the third straight week that Russell has accounted for four or more touchdowns.

After the win over Mississippi State, Russell's Heisman Trophy odds surged again. He's tied for second with Miami's Darian Mensah on FanDuel, behind only Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith.

2. Rico Scott

It's hard not to be happy to see Rico Scott have his moment in the sun. He originally planned to enter the Transfer Portal after last season with an uncertain role in Tuscaloosa. Kalen DeBoer and the staff convinced him to stay, and Scott spent the offseason busting his tail to earn the role he's gotten.

He does all the dirty work, picking up blocks and helping to spring others for big plays. Against Mississippi State, Scott had his chance with the ball in his hands. Scott caught four passes for 56 yards and reached the endzone twice. That included this impressive grab on a back-shoulder throw from Russell that looked like it might get intercepted:

3. Trae'shawn Brown

It was the Trae'shawn Brown show for Alabama in StarkVegas. Daniel Hill and EJ Crowell combined for just eight carries. Brown got 14 attempts, turning them into an Alabama-leading 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

It's clear that the staff trusts the freshman a lot. He carried the load for the Crimson Tide today, and that was pivotal with Hill putting the ball on the ground twice. With Brown and Crowell, Alabama has a pair of special freshmen backs that should lead the way for the run game for years to come.

Brown is finding the lanes that Alabama's offensive line is opening for him:

4. Xavier Griffin

The freshman LB was all over the field against the Bulldogs. He led Alabama with nine tackles and picked up his first career sack.

Griffin continues to see his role increase every week. He's played a lot more snaps the last two weeks with Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu sidelined. He's going to keep earning work if he continues to play the way he played in Starkville.

He's still learning on the job, but he's already so, so good. Imagine what he might become late this season. What about next year? He's special.

5. London Simmons

Sophomore DL London Simmons may have had the play of the ballgame on Saturday. When Kamario Taylor dropped the ball on Mississippi State's first possession, it was Simmons who was able to wrestle the ball away and come up with the takeaway.

That allowed Alabama to play from ahead for the entire afternoon. Keelon Russell and the Tide's offense went straight down the field and punched in a touchdown.

If that's all Simmons did, it would have been enough. But he was also credited with 1.5 sacks. He consistently collapsed the pocket. He and the rest of the defensive line keyed the effort to hold Mississippi State to just 18 rushing yards, too.

Simmons and the rest of the defensive line deserve recognition for being able to control the game up front.

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