Alabama Able to Hang on in Dogfight with Mississippi State

One week after dismantling LSU, Alabama traveled to Starkville, MS to look for an easy win... What they weren't expecting was a knockdown drag out fight from the Bulldogs.

The Tide started the game with some trouble moving the ball on offense, and that problem would be present throughout the game. Not only was the offense pretty stagnant, they also had turnover issues and uncharacteristic penalties.

A.J. McCarron threw two interceptions, but his receivers didn't help him out much in the first half, dropping quite a few catchable balls. Along with the passing game problems, the Tide running backs had some ball security complications. T.J. Yeldon and Kenyon Drake both had costly fumbles that ended very promising drives in the second half.

However, with all of the offensive issues, the defense was as dominant as they always are, holding the Bulldogs to just 197 yards and only allowing Mississippi State to convert on just 26.7% of their 3rd downs. C.J. Mosley had himself a whale of a game, flying all over the field and laying the lumber to any Bulldog player crazy enough to run in his direction.

The unit of the day may go to the special teams, though. Cody Mandell punted 4 times for an average of 55 yards, and downed two of those inside the 20. His ability to flip the field position in the Tide's favor was a major reason why Alabama's defense was so dominant. Also, Cade Foster was able to add 2 FGs on the scoreboard, and that kept Mississippi State behind the 8-ball all game.

All in all, this was not a typical Alabama victory, but at this point in the season, all the Tide needs to do is keep winning and they'll be in they're third straight national championship game.

The Crimson Tide will face off against UT Chattanooga next Saturday, Nov. 23, before facing off in a de facto SEC West championship game in the Iron Bowl the following week.