5 pivotal observations from Alabama's dismantling of Mississippi State on the road

Alabama had little trouble passing its biggest test of the season to date on Saturday, dismantling Mississippi State in Starkville 56-23.

Keelon Russell outdueled Kamario Taylor, and Alabama's supporting cast proved to be a total mismatch. The Tide's defense came up with four turnovers, three off Taylor. Alabama ran the ball effectively while completely taking away the run on the other side of the ball.

Everyone tuned in expecting a close, hotly contested battle between two undefeated teams. Instead, it was a joyless murderball throwback for the Crimson Tide, and it sure looks like Kalen DeBoer has a legitimate national title contender in his third season.

Here's our five most important observations from Alabama's 33-point blowout win:

1. Alabama's offense has an embarrassment of riches

Alabama had an elite QB last season in Ty Simpson. Keelon Russell is a step up, but the biggest difference between last season's Tide team and this year's is that this team is able to play complementary football.

The weight of the world isn't on Russell's shoulders every week. Alabama can actually run the football. They racked up 181 rushing yards in Starkville, the most Mississippi State has given up this season so far.

And when they do air it out, Russell has a ridiculous amount of talent to choose from. Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lotzeir Brooks, and Rico Scott are an outstanding trio. Scott had his moment in the sun this weekend, hauling in two touchdowns.

And then the tight ends, you can't say enough about. The big four of Josh Ford, Kaleb Edwards, Marshall Pritchett, and Danny Lewis have been moving people in the run game. Jay Lindsay has gotten in the action, too, and he actually earned the start this week, lining up as a fullback in the I-formation for Bama's first offensive snap.

Pritchett and Edwards are also weapons in the passing game. They combined for 86 yards of offense this week.

When the offensive line holds up, which they frequently have, then there's just not much you can do to stop this offense.

2. We all owe Ryan Grubb an apology

I'll get us started: I'm sorry, Ryan Grubb. I've criticized you frequently in your two seasons as Alabama's offensive coordinator. You are proving me wrong in real time.

It's looking more like last season was more of a personnel issue and poor coaching up front on the offensive line than an issue with the play calling. Grubb was calling plays last year with a hand tied behind his back. Not anymore.

Alabama has scored 45+ points in all five games this season, becoming the first team since Oklahoma in 2019 to accomplish that. The offense is clicking on all cylinders, striking a balance between a strong running game and a savant at quarterback.

The 56 points vs. Mississippi State were the most in school history for an SEC road game. Also:

Tip of the cap to you, Ryan Grubb. And sorry once again.

3. Alabama's advantage at the line of scrimmage was obvious on both sides

We talked about it this week leading up to the game: Alabama appeared, on paper, to have a clear advantage in the trenches. That bore fruit in Starkville.

With all eyes on the quarterbacks, this game was always going to be decided by which team could find balance by running the ball effectively. Alabama ultimately outrushed Mississippi State 181-18.

Freshman Trae'shawn Brown was the leading man for the Crimson Tide, turning 14 carries into 66 yards with two touchdowns. Alabama shut down Mississippi State on the other side. Fluff Bothwell left the game after one carry, but it wouldn't have mattered. The Tide's defensive line dominated from start to finish.

Alabama also sacked Taylor five times, which led to him being a bit shook out there, missing throws he made through the season's first four weeks.

4. EJ Crowell needs to be more involved on offense

The only part of today's offensive game plan that I found baffling was the lack of usage for freshman star EJ Crowell. He was used for one play in the first half, a bootleg for Keelon Russell that turned into a touchdown run by the QB.

It was a brilliant play call by Grubb because the tendency has been that when Crowell is on the field, he's getting the football. He's touched the ball on 70%+ of his snaps this year. It completely fooled the Mississippi State defense.

But Crowell didn't touch the ball until the third quarter. He ultimately got just three rushing attempts, turning them into 49 yards with his customary explosive run:

The only thing I can come up with is that he's still not really 100%, and Alabama is slow-playing his reps to ensure he's going to be available in November and later. This team intends to be playing football into mid-to-late January, and Crowell is one of the most explosive weapons on the roster.

Putting the ball in his hands more going forward needs to happen, particularly with the schedule getting tougher and tougher.

5. Xavier Griffin is going to be a monster

It was always a matter of when, not if, for 5-star freshman LB Xavier Griffin. With injuries to Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu, Griffin has seen an increase in reps the last couple of weeks. Against Mississippi State, Griffin had his coming-out party.

He came up with his first career sack and made several havoc plays in the Bulldogs' backfield:

Even when Hill and Umeozulu return, it's going to be hard to keep Griffin off the field. He's really good already, and he's only going to get better and better.

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