During the offseason, Alabama Crimson Tide fans wondered whether Week 5 would be a trap game. Would Week 5's attention be more focused on Georgia in Week 6 than on Mississippi State?
Nobody is talking trap game now. The 2026 Bulldogs are nothing like Jeff Lebby's first two Mississippi State teams with a combined 7-17 record.
Before the season began, I scoffed when one pundit claimed that Mississippi State would beat the Crimson Tide. I'm scoffing no more. I still believe Alabama will win, but emotions can drive beliefs.
My 'some doubt' this week comes from Jeff Lebby's team having playmakers who can exploit Crimson Tide weaknesses. State's most potent offensive threats are speed-burner receivers who scorch defenses with vertical passing plays, and Kamario Taylor and Fluff Bothwell, who are tackle-busters. Taylor also being an outstanding passer, cannot be ignored.
Why worry? State, running an up-tempo offense at warp speed, can limit Alabama's normal pattern of situational defensive substitutions. And without Zulu and Justin Hill, Kane Wommack's defense will be thinned.
What Alabama can do to counter Up-Tempo Bulldogs
Three-and-outs are deadly to up-tempo offenses. Quick turnarounds wear down their defensive teammates and make them vulnerable to fourth-quarter collapses. A best case for Alabama would be Kane Wommack's defense repeatedly stuffing Jeff Lebby's offense.
That's a tall ask for Wommack. Beyond scoring points, Ryan Grubb's offense can help the Tide 'D' by grinding out possessions, chewing up clock and frustrating the Bulldogs.
State's secondary may struggle to cover Alabama's receivers. So, 'take what the defense gives you' would apply. An added offensive approach might bring more success. That approach would be an expanded use of Ryan Grubb 'going heavy'.
Alabama uses 12, 13, and 14 packages effectively. They range from one running back and two tight ends to 1 RB and three tight ends, to 1 RB and four tight ends. The 14-packagecan be three tight ends and a sixth offensive lineman. Besides the obvious power-run advantages, play-action passes to a tight end are also effective.
In four wins, the Bulldogs have not faced running backs equal to Bama's. They have competed against South Carolina's strong rusher Matt Fuller. Against Alabama, Fuller rushed for a 5.9-yard average. The Bulldogs held him to 4.3 yards. But the Bulldogs' front seven have defended a trio close to Daniel Hill, EJ Crowell, and Trae'shawn Brown.
As John Mitchell wrote, "patience may be a virtue in Starkville on Saturday." John was expounding on the game possibly becoming a wet slog. Even if Saturday ends up clear and dry, using a lot of 'heavy' could produce an Alabama win without having to risk a shootout.
Note: Player stats provided by Sports Reference
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