October 26, 2012

Tommy Deas
TideSports.com Editor

The Call: Alabama vs. Miss. State
		Advantage
Offense		Advantage: Alabama Beating the University of Alabama is going to involve scoring a lot of points. UA, known for its defense, is averaging 41 points per game and the starters have hardly played a full four quarters yet. Wideout Amari Cooper has emerged as a bona fide star and complements the running game led by Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon. Mississippi State has improved its attack, and quarterback Tyler Russell is a chief reason. He has given the Bulldogs a passing attack, and LaDarius Perkins is a tough runner.
Defense		Advantage: Alabama Alabama's defense is downright nasty. The Crimson Tide easily weathered Tennessee's attack last weekend and MSU will face a serious test. On a unit without stars, Ed Stinson has emerged as a playmaker with seven tackles in the backfield for losses. Adrian Hubbard provides a pass-rush element and Vinnie Sunseri could be important in run suport this week. MSU is ninth nationally in scoring defense, allowing just over 14 points per game, and the Bulldogs are tops nationally in turnover margin.
Special Teams		Advantage: Mississippi State After showing massive improvement over last year early in the season, Alabama has been a little shaky in the kicking game of late. Whether it's a bad exchange on an extra point or a mishandled punt snap or a short kickoff leading to a long return, UA has been regressing the last couple of weeks. Johnthan Banks, in addition to being one of the nation's top pass defenders, is a dangerous punt returner. MSU kicker Devon Bell has made 9 of 14 attempts, but hasn't made a kick longer than 42 yards.
Coaching		Advantage: Alabama Mississippi State made a winning hire in Dan Mullen, who has elevated the program year by year. That the Bulldogs' 7-0 start is second-best in school history says it all, and MSU is riding a nine-game winning streak that dates back to last season. What Mullen is trying to do, Alabama's Nick Saban has already done. The Crimson Tide is ranked No. 1 and has won two of the last three national titles. Saban hires top assistants, and Chris Rumph deserves credit for his work in developing UA's defensive line.
Intangibles		Advantage: Mississippi State The Bulldogs have big games in the next several weeks - against Texas A&M, LSU, Arkansas and Ole Miss - but no one wearing maroon is going to be looking past UA. Mississippi State fans may even be able to sneak a few cowbells into Bryant-Denny Stadium to make themselves feel more at home. Whether Alabama plays for another national title will be determined in the coming weeks, but a trip to Baton Rouge next weekend might have some at UA looking ahead.
Prediction		Alabama 28, MSU 6 Mississippi State really hasn't been tested to this point, but Alabama hasn't either. The Bulldogs might just be salty enough to take Alabama deep into the second half and make the Crimson Tide test its fortitude. UA is too good and too deep, however, to lose this game.