Talk about statement wins. The No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide sent a message to the entire SEC – and to the College Football Playoff committee – that they are indeed still the kings of the conference after their demolition of previously undefeated LSU. The Tide now have the inside track to win the SEC West if they win their two remaining conference games.
However, they still have a very stiff test up next as they visit Starkville to face the conference’s best quarterback, Dak Prescott, and his No. 20 Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Read on below for our preview of this SEC West showdown. Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out more big Week 11 matchups with Memphis vs. Houston and Oklahoma vs. Baylor.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Preview
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville
When: Saturday, November 14, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Alabama Crimson Tide (-8) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (+8)– view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Alabama Crimson Tide (8-1, 5-1 SEC)
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Alabama’s 30-16 win over LSU was domination at its best. The Crimson Tide simply imposed their will onto the hapless Tigers, who just didn’t stand a chance.
Even the great Leonard Fournette, the generational talent who had destroyed every defense put in front of him this season, was put in his place by the amazing Alabama front. Fournette was limited to a mere 31 yards on 19 carries, with a consolation touchdown.
Meanwhile, it was Bama’s own bowling ball of a running back, Derrick Henry, who stole the show from the Heisman front-runner. Henry had 210 of the Tide’s 250 rushing yards and all three rushing touchdowns as he continued his Heisman-worthy play this season.
Henry has been close to unstoppable during conference play, and is averaging a shade under 150 rushing yards per game. He should be able to continue moving the ball with relative ease against a Mississippi State run defense that is ranked way down in 10th in the conference.
Alabama has played down to lesser opponents (Arkansas and Tennesse) in recent weeks, but with the SEC West title well within reach after Ole Miss’s loss to Arkansas, look for the Tide to be all business in Starkville against a Mississippi State team which they’ve beaten in seven-straight meetings.
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Betting on Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-2, 3-2 SEC)
After a rough start to conference play, the Mississippi State Bulldogs have now found their groove. They’re coming off back-to-back blowout wins over Kentucky (42-16) and Missouri (31-13) as they improved to 3-2 in the conference.
Granted, both the Wildcats and Tigers have been in free-fall for the past couple of weeks, but the Bulldogs nevertheless looked impressive, none more so than Dak Prescott.
After accounting for six touchdowns (three passing, three rushing) against Kentucky, the Bulldogs’ senior quarterback added four more passing touchdowns against Mizzou as he became just the sixth SEC quarterback ever to account for over 100 TDs in his career.
Prescott has been very solid as a passer this season. He’s completing 67 percent of his passes and has a terrific 18-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. However, his ability to make plays with his legs is what sets him apart from the other SEC QBs.
This talent will be even more crucial against an Alabama defense that has not been the best in containing mobile quarterbacks. Despite throwing interceptions against Alabama last season, Prescott passed for 290 yards with two touchdowns and added 82 yards on the ground as he led the Bulldogs to a close 25-20 loss at home. Mississippi State is 6-3 ATS in its last nine home games against Alabama.
Mississippi State also hosted LSU earlier in the season, and despite Leonard Fournette rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns, the Bulldogs were still one score away in a very close 21-19 loss.
Writer’s Prediction
Alabama has too much for Mississippi State, but Dak Prescott helps make it close. The Crimson Tide win, 27-21, but the Bulldogs (+6.5) cover.
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