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A potential trap game for Alabama was anything but on Saturday as the top-ranked Crimson Tide crushed Mississippi State, 51-3, in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.
Here’s a quick look at how the game played out in Tuscaloosa.
What it means: Alabama is still in position to win the SEC West. If Georgia were to upset Auburn, Alabama would clinch. If Auburn wins, then the Iron Bowl in two weeks will determine the SEC West winner. Meanwhile, Mississippi State must win both of its final games of the season vs. Arkansas and at Ole Miss to become bowl-eligible.
What I liked (for Alabama): Jalen Hurts (28-37, 347 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT) is looking better as a passer, although there is still a lot of room for improvement. That said, he found open pass-catchers (hit nine different players for a completion) more frequently than he has for most of the season. The defense held Nick Fitzgerald to 15 yards on 11 carries, and the Bulldogs’ running game as a whole only managed 94 yards (2.7 yards per carry). While the unit gave up a handful of big completions, it stepped up when needed to make key stops.
What I liked (for Mississippi State): There wasn’t much to like in the first half for the Bulldogs. The defense limited Alabama to field goals three times, and the offense had one drive that put the team in field goal position. Alabama was up 30-0 by halftime, so that clearly wasn’t good enough.
What I didn’t like (for Alabama): Hurts threw an awful interception. He had ArDarius Stewart open for a touchdown but underthrew the ball. Other than that, Hurts was a beast (see below).
What I didn’t like (for Mississippi State): The Bulldogs’ offense didn’t do enough to challenge the Alabama defense. While the offensive line actually gave Fitzgerald good protection, his throws weren’t pinpoint accurate, and the running game was easily contained.
Who’s the man: Hurts racked up 447 yards of total offense, third-most in a single game in Alabama history. He threw for 347 and ran for 100 more, throwing 4 TDs and running for another. ArDarius Stewart had a monster day at receiver with 8 catches, 156 yards and 3 touchdown receptions.
Key plays: Hurts’ 4-yard touchdown pass to Ridley pushed Alabama’s lead to 10-0 and capped the team’s strongest offensive drive of the first half.
What’s next: Alabama gets a tune-up game against FCS opponent Chattanooga to prepare the team for a potentially epic Iron Bowl that could determine the SEC West winner. For Mississippi State, the team is at home against Arkansas and finish the season at banged-up rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. The Bulldogs must win both games to become bowl-eligible.
