The edge
Offense
Edge: Mississippi State
Mississippi State leads the SEC in offense at more than 500 yards and nearly 40 points per game. Dak Prescott is perhaps the best dual-threat quarterback in the country and a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate who averages 344 combined running and passing yards per game. Alabama's offense has been explosive at times, especially at home. Blake Sims is efficient and showed last week he can come through in the clutch.
Defense
Edge: Alabama
Alabama leads the SEC in defense, allowing just 275 yards and less than 14 points per game. UA's front seven has become dominant, especially against the run. Cyrus Jones and the rest of the defensive secondary have come on strong as the season has progressed. Mississippi State has given up more than 425 yards per game, but has been strong in scoring defense in allowing just under 20 points per game.
Special teams
Edge: Alabama
The Crimson Tide kicking game got a boost in last weekend's victory at LSU, with Adam Griffith making a couple of high-pressure field goals and freshman punter JK Scott doing his job in a battle of field position. Alabama still needs to break something open in the return game, but UA seems to have eliminated the costly special teams turnovers of late. Mississippi State is average on special teams all around.
Coaching
Edge: Alabama
The Bulldogs made a very good hire when they brought in Dan Mullen six seasons ago. Mississippi State has improved steadily and is making a statement this season in the tough SEC Western Division. Alabama's staff is well familiar with Mullen's offense, and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will have his hands full in this matchup. As long as Nick Saban is head coach at Alabama, the UA program should be in good shape.
Intangibles
Edge: Alabama
This is the biggest game Mississippi State players have ever been a part of, while Alabama players have celebrated national championships and are accustomed to the spotlight. More importantly, this Alabama team seems to play its best football at home, making Bryant-Denny Stadium a factor. Alabama is the favorite, but MSU brings along the added pressure of needing to prove itself on the big stage.
Prediction
Alabama 29, Mississippi State 21
Expect this one to become something of a shootout. Mississippi State's offense won't be contained completely, and Alabama has its own playmakers. Both teams have everything to play for and eveything to lose. In the end, Alabama's defense will make enough plays to tip the scale.
- Tommy Deas
Staff picks
Joey Chandler
Alabama 21, Mississippi State 17
Alabama's performance at home has been incredible this season. The atmosphere inside Bryant-Denny Stadium should give the Crimson Tide an extra boost against top-ranked Mississippi State.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 31, Mississippi State 21
If you wander through the history of this series, you can find, among many one-sided blowouts, a few with historical resonance. For instance, surviving in Starkville in 1992 was a key to Alabama's national title run. Both sides have hopes this year, but State's may not survive.
Reina Kempt
Alabama 27. Mississippi State 21
Blake Sims and Amari Cooper have been exceptional at home and that's bad news for the Bulldogs' poor pass defense. I expect Dak Prescott to impress, but his performance won't be enough against the Crimson Tide.
D.C. Reeves
Alabama 38, Mississippi State 24
Mississippi State's offense is slightly better than Alabama's. Alabama's defense is much better than Mississippi State's. Couple that with this game in Tuscaloosa, where the Crimson Tide have looked unstoppable in 2014, and it puts Alabama in good shape. MSU will score, but not enough against this defense in their own building.
Michael Southern
Alabama 31, Mississippi State 20
After a slugfest last week against LSU, Alabama must brace for another physical test in top-ranked Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide has been a juggernaut at home averaging 48.5 points, so the return to Bryant-Denny Stadium should provide a much-needed spark for the offense.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 35, Mississippi State 24
The Crimson Tide has to be glad to be at Bryant-Denny Stadium for this one. After playing five of its last six games on the road, the Crimson Tide is back in Tuscaloosa for the biggest game of the season. The home crowd and the comfort level of playing at home should be enough to carry Alabama to a big win.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 35, Mississippi State 28
I think the weight of carrying the No. 1 target on its back finally catches up to a talented Bulldogs squad. Alabama's offense is much more explosive and efficient inside the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Tony Tsoukalas
Alabama 35, Mississippi State 21
The last time Alabama returned from Death Valley after a hard-fought win against LSU, the Crimson Tide was upset by Johnny Manziel and the Texas A&M Aggies. This time, it's a little different. Alabama players wont get caught sleeping against the Bulldogs, who come into Tuscaloosa with the No. 1 ranking (and without Manziel). If the Crimson Tide can avoid turnovers on offense, there could be some fireworks in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
https://alabama.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=427&tid=206550451&mid=206550451&sid=885&style=2
Offense
Edge: Mississippi State
Mississippi State leads the SEC in offense at more than 500 yards and nearly 40 points per game. Dak Prescott is perhaps the best dual-threat quarterback in the country and a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate who averages 344 combined running and passing yards per game. Alabama's offense has been explosive at times, especially at home. Blake Sims is efficient and showed last week he can come through in the clutch.
Defense
Edge: Alabama
Alabama leads the SEC in defense, allowing just 275 yards and less than 14 points per game. UA's front seven has become dominant, especially against the run. Cyrus Jones and the rest of the defensive secondary have come on strong as the season has progressed. Mississippi State has given up more than 425 yards per game, but has been strong in scoring defense in allowing just under 20 points per game.
Special teams
Edge: Alabama
The Crimson Tide kicking game got a boost in last weekend's victory at LSU, with Adam Griffith making a couple of high-pressure field goals and freshman punter JK Scott doing his job in a battle of field position. Alabama still needs to break something open in the return game, but UA seems to have eliminated the costly special teams turnovers of late. Mississippi State is average on special teams all around.
Coaching
Edge: Alabama
The Bulldogs made a very good hire when they brought in Dan Mullen six seasons ago. Mississippi State has improved steadily and is making a statement this season in the tough SEC Western Division. Alabama's staff is well familiar with Mullen's offense, and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will have his hands full in this matchup. As long as Nick Saban is head coach at Alabama, the UA program should be in good shape.
Intangibles
Edge: Alabama
This is the biggest game Mississippi State players have ever been a part of, while Alabama players have celebrated national championships and are accustomed to the spotlight. More importantly, this Alabama team seems to play its best football at home, making Bryant-Denny Stadium a factor. Alabama is the favorite, but MSU brings along the added pressure of needing to prove itself on the big stage.
Prediction
Alabama 29, Mississippi State 21
Expect this one to become something of a shootout. Mississippi State's offense won't be contained completely, and Alabama has its own playmakers. Both teams have everything to play for and eveything to lose. In the end, Alabama's defense will make enough plays to tip the scale.
- Tommy Deas
Staff picks
Joey Chandler
Alabama 21, Mississippi State 17
Alabama's performance at home has been incredible this season. The atmosphere inside Bryant-Denny Stadium should give the Crimson Tide an extra boost against top-ranked Mississippi State.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 31, Mississippi State 21
If you wander through the history of this series, you can find, among many one-sided blowouts, a few with historical resonance. For instance, surviving in Starkville in 1992 was a key to Alabama's national title run. Both sides have hopes this year, but State's may not survive.
Reina Kempt
Alabama 27. Mississippi State 21
Blake Sims and Amari Cooper have been exceptional at home and that's bad news for the Bulldogs' poor pass defense. I expect Dak Prescott to impress, but his performance won't be enough against the Crimson Tide.
D.C. Reeves
Alabama 38, Mississippi State 24
Mississippi State's offense is slightly better than Alabama's. Alabama's defense is much better than Mississippi State's. Couple that with this game in Tuscaloosa, where the Crimson Tide have looked unstoppable in 2014, and it puts Alabama in good shape. MSU will score, but not enough against this defense in their own building.
Michael Southern
Alabama 31, Mississippi State 20
After a slugfest last week against LSU, Alabama must brace for another physical test in top-ranked Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide has been a juggernaut at home averaging 48.5 points, so the return to Bryant-Denny Stadium should provide a much-needed spark for the offense.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 35, Mississippi State 24
The Crimson Tide has to be glad to be at Bryant-Denny Stadium for this one. After playing five of its last six games on the road, the Crimson Tide is back in Tuscaloosa for the biggest game of the season. The home crowd and the comfort level of playing at home should be enough to carry Alabama to a big win.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 35, Mississippi State 28
I think the weight of carrying the No. 1 target on its back finally catches up to a talented Bulldogs squad. Alabama's offense is much more explosive and efficient inside the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Tony Tsoukalas
Alabama 35, Mississippi State 21
The last time Alabama returned from Death Valley after a hard-fought win against LSU, the Crimson Tide was upset by Johnny Manziel and the Texas A&M Aggies. This time, it's a little different. Alabama players wont get caught sleeping against the Bulldogs, who come into Tuscaloosa with the No. 1 ranking (and without Manziel). If the Crimson Tide can avoid turnovers on offense, there could be some fireworks in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
https://alabama.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=427&tid=206550451&mid=206550451&sid=885&style=2
