The Alabama Crimson Tide no longer have the longest winning streak in the nation. Alabama was upset on the road by Texas A&M last week, and the Crimson Tide must avoid another loss the rest of the season if they want to play in the SEC Championship Game. Oddsmakers expect them to bounce back in a big way this weekend against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Mississippi State is no pushover though, as the Bulldogs knocked off the Aggies two weeks ago and have had a week to prepare for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.
College Football Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Alabama Crimson Tide -17.5
Mississippi State Bulldogs +17.5
Total 57.5
Mike Leach has done just what Mississippi State hired him to do in Starkville. The Mad Pirate has brought his Air Raid to the SEC, and he has had a decent amount of success. Will Rogers is on pace to throw for over 4,000 yards this season, completing 75.7% of his passes for 6.6 YPA with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. Mississippi State has just 281 rushing yards given the short passes that substitute an effective ground game, making him one of the most one-dimensional teams in the nation.
Every player with at least 10 receptions on the Bulldogs is averaging no more than 11.2 YPR. Eight different players have caught 10 passes, led by Makai Polk with 46 receptions for 430 yards and four touchdowns. Running backs Dillon Johnson and Joquavious Marks have already combined to catch 69 passes through just five games.
The Bulldogs have scored at least 24 points against every opponent this season. Mississippi State’s two losses were by three points or less, and four of the Bulldogs’ five games have been decided by four points or less.
Alabama has not lost consecutive regular season games since Nick Saban’s first year back in 2007. The Crimson Tide have been the greatest dynasty college football has ever seen during Saban’s tenure, and it would be a surprise if they didn’t beat Mississippi State by more than one score this weekend.
This offensive line must do a better job of protecting Bryce Young than what we saw last week. Young was sacked four times and was constantly under pressure, especially in the first half. He still managed to throw for 369 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, nearly leading Alabama back for the win after a rocky first half.
Jameson Williams is having a breakout season for Alabama. Williams caught 10 passes for 146 yards and two scores last week, thriving alongside John Metchie III. Those two have been Young’s favorite targets by a considerably amount, as no other player has more than 15 receptions or 180 receiving yards.
The Crimson Tide are not running the ball as effectively as we have seen in prior seasons. Alabama isn’t doing poorly on this front, but it has been a bit of a slog as the team is averaging 4.5 YPC.
Penalties have been an issue too. The Crimson Tide are averaging 7.8 penalties a game and 70 penalty yards a game.
Alabama at Mississippi State Prediction
This game should be a blowout. Scheming against one-dimensional teams like Mississippi State is Saban’s bread and butter. The Crimson Tide will be focused once more after last week’s loss, and they are likely to be on a warpath for the rest of the season. Mississippi State has scored a total of seven points against Alabama’s defense over the last three seasons, and this program has only been occasionally competitive against Alabama since Saban came to Tuscaloosa.
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