Ad Disclosure
Here’s everything you need to know about Southern Mississippi at Alabama today at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
When: Saturday, Sept. 13
Where: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Line: Alabama -50.5
SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS
- Examining ways to get O.J. Howard the ball
- Under the radar, Yeldon works hard as Alabama’s best back
- 5 Southern Miss players Alabama fans need to know
- Competition continues at right guard
- Saban looking for “beast mode” from his team
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Players to watch
- Blake Sims
- Jacob Coker
- T.J. Yeldon
- Amari Cooper
- O.J. Howard
- Ryan Anderson
- Landon Collins
- Eddie Jackson
Keys for Alabama
- Get both QBs playing time. Even as Blake Sims has been very solid in two games, the position isn’t completely settled. Jacob Coker wasn’t great in his action against Florida Atlantic last week, and getting him settled and comfortable behind center would be good news for the Tide if they want him to eventually take over the starting role at some point this season.
- Remember O.J. Howard. Our own Murf Baldwin detailed some ways for the Tide to get their tight end the ball, but it’s still a mystery as to why he hasn’t been involved yet. The Tide would do well to find a way to feature him in the gameplan against Southern Miss.
- Get the pass rush going. Southern Miss likes to play up-tempo, and teams have been hitting Alabama with quick-hitting stuff to throw them off their game in that respect. Saban isn’t totally satisfied with the pressure his D-line has gotten so far.
Crimson Tide’s glaring weakness to watch: “Glaring” might be a stretch, but Bama’s kickoffs haven’t been stellar so far. They’ve only had five touchbacks on their 15 kickoffs, so an improvement in the field position game would be a boon for Alabama.
Most interesting part of this game: Alabama’s shutout streak. It’s been 73:37 of game time since the Tide allowed a point, going back to West Virginia’s field goal in the fourth quarter of week one. Going up against Southern Miss, that defense has to be feeling pretty good about adding another 60 minutes to that total.
Team buzz: Nick Saban wants to see his team come out and “beast” the Golden Eagles. Expect this team to come out fired up at the start to put this one away early.
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GOLDEN EAGLES
Players to watch
- QB Nick Mullens
- RB Ito Smith
- WR Markese Triplett
- DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
- CB Kalan Reed
- DB Jacorius Cotton
Keys for Southern Miss
- Try to stop the run. The Golden Eagles are giving up more than 6.5 yards per carry, and if that number holds the Tide will make quick work of them.
- Keep the pass rush off of Mullens. Alabama has seven sacks already on the young season, and if they let the pressure get home the sophomore could be forced into some bad decisions early.
Golden Eagles glaring weakness to watch: The running defense. Alabama has all the tools to pound Southern Miss into the ground, and the Golden Eagles haven’t shown through two games that they’ll have any chance of slowing that down.
Most interesting part of this game: How Nick Mullens responds in a big game. This will be the sophomore’s first start against a Power 5 team, and coach Todd Monken would love to see his quarterback handle the pressure.
Team buzz: The Golden Eagles barely have their 23-game losing streak in the rearview mirror, riding a 2-1 wave dating back to last season. Chances are, they’re going to add another tally in the loss column, but the rebuilding program could use a good showing today.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
