It's a historic team and a historic year for Mississippi State and head coach Dan Mullen so far.

The Bulldogs are 9-0 for the first time in school history. MSU holds the No. 1 ranking for the first time ever.

Most of that is thanks to a dynamic offense led by quarterback Dak Prescott, a top Heisman candidate. MSU's best shot at a Heisman came 70 years ago when Tom McWilliams finished 10th. Prescott will better that.

For a team breaking all sorts of new ground in 2014, Mullen has to hope his offense can finally do the same against Alabama.

Mullen has faced Alabama six times as a play caller. His first was as Florida's offensive coordinator in 2008 when the Gators beat Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. The last five have been as Mississippi State's head coach.

The numbers aren't pretty.

His teams have averaged 242.4 yards per game on 61.2 plays over those six matchups, a mere 3.96 yards per play. For perspective, 242.2 yards per game and 3.96 yards per play would rank next-to-last in the NCAA this season.

The most unsightly numbers of all are on the ground. Mullen's offenses have averaged 34.5 carries per game - running 56.3 percent of the time - for 86.2 yards. That's 2.5 yards per carry. Alabama's 16 sacks in six meetings have helped deflate that number.

It has been even tougher the past three meetings as MSU has failed to run for more than 53 yards and averages a measly 1.4 yards per carry.

Through the air, Mullen's offenses produce this stat line against Alabama: 14-of-27, 156.2 yards, 5.9 yards per attempt (which would rank 113th nationally in 2014) and 11 yards per completion.

In six meetings, Mississippi State has four touchdown passes against five interceptions.

Tebow, who is often used as a comparison to the playing style of the 6-foot-2, 235-pound dual threat Prescott, tallied three of those four touchdown passes in 2008. Since then, MSU has one touchdown pass against Alabama in the last five meetings combined.

The numbers haven't been impressive, but Mullen also hasn't been equipped with this kind of firepower since he was calling the plays for Tim Tebow and the Gators in 2008.

So far, the explosiveness has been there. They are averaging 254.9 yards on the ground alone - 12 yards more than his average total offense against Alabama - and rushing at 5.6 yards a clip.

Overall, MSU averages 7.02 yards per play, tops in the SEC, and 39.8 points per game, second in the league behind UGA.

So while Mullen has found almost no success moving the ball on Alabama, this season could be different because his team has closed the talent gap.

"They have one of the best, if not the best, defense in the nation," Mullen said. "They do it how they have always done it. They have great players and they have depth. They are big and very physical. They are strong against the run and can get after the passer with great pass rushers. They have great size in the secondary and can cover really well. They are really a complete defense. That is going to be a great challenge for us."

Come Saturday, we'll find out if this is the Mullen offense that can finally pierce Alabama.

-Reach D.C. Reeves at 205-722-0196 or dc@tidesports.com.