You may want to pop a nitroglycerin pill and make sure you're up to date on your blood pressure medication. Alabama and Mississippi State have the high-octane offenses - each led by an elite quarterback - to turn this into an uncomfortable shootout.
Alabama has steadily gotten better week over week, getting off to a 4-0 start in Kalen DeBoer's third season. While the defense led the way in Lexington in Week 2, it has been Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide's high-powered offense that has been virtually unstoppable in back-to-back wins over Florida State and South Carolina.
An unstoppable offense is always a way you could describe the home team in Starkville. Led by sophomore Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State has been prolific offensively and is capable of scoring in bunches. This is the type of game where no lead will ever feel safe, so Alabama will need to play a complete game from start to finish to avoid a fourth-quarter toss-up.
In a battle of two of the best young quarterbacks in the sport, Mother Nature has cooperated and cleared the forecast after significant rain initially threatened to put a damper on the aerial assault at Davis Wade Stadium.
Mississippi State represents the most significant challenge of the season to date for Alabama. Win, and the Crimson Tide will take a gigantic step toward a second consecutive trip to the College Football Playoff. Lose, and Alabama will have very little margin for error in the final seven games of the regular season.
Betting odds for Alabama at Mississippi State
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of 5am ET on Saturday.
Spread: Alabama -5.5
Over/Under: 60.5
Moneyline: Alabama -196/Mississippi State +162
Alabama vs. Mississippi State game predictions
Points should be plentiful, and defensive stops may be at a premium in Starkville. Holding the other side to a field goal instead of a touchdown should be looked at as a significant win on Saturday afternoon.
Russell and Taylor look like equals through four weeks. Some might be tempted to argue that Russell has the superior supporting cast, but that would be selling Mississippi State short. The Bulldogs have a great running back in Fluff Bothwell and a ton of speedy wide receivers who are mismatches for opposing defensive backs.
When it comes down to it, I trust Alabama's defense to make a play more than I trust Mississippi State's. I expect a back-and-forth game for most of the way, and then Alabama scores a late touchdown to put it to bed.
Picks:
John Mitchell: Alabama 42, Mississippi State 31
Ron Evans: Alabama 31, Mississippi State 24
Trevion Ware: Alabama 35, Mississippi State 27
Jaleel Grandberry: Alabama 52, Mississippi State 24
Dominic Giacobazzi: Alabama 52, Mississippi State 45
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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