State looks improved but...
Let's not joke ourselves. If I asked a room of football fans who actually believes that State can defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide to raise a hand - I doubt I'd see a single digit. However; this year, State comes to Tuscaloosa undefeated. The Bulldogs are 7-0 and 23 point underdogs. How often are nationally ranked and undefeated teams more than a 3 touchdown dog? That's the position that State finds itself facing. A lot of fans are saying that the Bullies are are very overrated. Look at their record and you a hard pressed to find a quality win. If pushed to find one I guess I'd say Tennessee. That's the same Tennessee team that was reduced to an Orange Julius. I'll be the first to say than Dan Mullins has done a great job with State this season. Just to hear that State is 7-0 sounds odd. Mullins has raised the level of Mississippi State football to a level that didn't seem possible to this writer. It takes hard work and maybe a little magic to win 7 games in a season in Starkville, much less to start the season. The Bulldogs have beaten Kentucky and Auburn so far in their field of dream year so far. A win over Alabama would make Dan Mullins a huge favorite for SEC Coach of the Year. The problem is that State isn't going to beat the Tide. I expect them to play hard, move the ball some, but eventually find themselves a big maroon blob at game's end. I grew up in Mississippi. I was an Ole Miss fan but you always had to give State kudos for toughness. The dogs still have that toughness and a great deal of talent as running mate. For the record that makes 9 in a row for State, the nation's third longest win streak.
Great defensive backs for the dogs...
State has two big time corner backs. Either would start for Alabama in my opinion. Jonathon Banks, an All-American a sure first round NFL is the bell cow of the defense. Darius Slay at the opposite corner gives State the best 1-2 punch in the SEC. Slay isn't mentioned as often as Banks but should be. the pair will have to see if they can stop the Crimson Tide passing game, and give much needed run support. Banks in particular has been effective in offering run support this year. He'll have his hands full on Saturday. At the same time, the pair will have to find a way to shut down a explosive Tide passing attack. Amari Cooper has given early notice of his stardom. Kenny Bell is faster than light, and Kevin Norwood catches anything thrown his way. Michael Williams makes some key catches from his tight end position when he's not sealing the corner for Crimson Tide running backs. This is probably the best skill set of Tide receivers since Saban arrived. Cooper has Tide fans buzzing about his explosive performances after finally overcoming an early season injury.
Quarterback position is more than solid in Starkville...
Russell Tyler has been the grease that oils the Bulldog offense this season. Finally, it seems, Mississippi State has a signal caller who has poise, the arm, and the desire to be a big time winner. There is no doubt that the junior from Meridian has added some much needed punch and consistency to the State offense. He's thrown for almost 1600 yards, 15 td's and has only one pick. He is the best quarterback the Tide has faced this season as a pure thrower in my opinion. He also seems to have that something in much the same manner as A.J. McCarron. This could end up being a quarterback game and both sides have good ones. alabama is going to have find some answers with a so-so sack defense. The Tide has caused a lot of hurried throws, but nothing like one good solid bell ringer to let the Tyler know where he is playing.
This is going to be a competitive game for a while. Probably longer than Tide fans hope it will be, in fact. Will the Tide find this a trap game with LSU at home preparing for a Crimson visit next weekend. Of course, the Tigers may be discussing who gets dragged into the Honey badger den of sin next. I like Bama by 21 points. Lets say 35-14.
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