RAPID REACTION: Alabama Rolls Past Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Alabama Crimson Tide started 5-0 for the first time under Kalen DeBoer, and the first time since 2022, with a 56-23victory on the road against No. 16 Mississippi State in Starkville.

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With the Crimson Tide moving to 5-0 on the young season, here are three rapid reactions I had from the Tide's victory in the land of the cowbells, Starkville, Mississippi.

I'm Running Out of Ways to Call Keelon Russell Incredible

It's taking everything in me not to call Keelon Russell generational. Maybe I'm drinking too much Kool-Aid. Maybe I'm right. But each week, the Tide's signal caller makes another throw that makes me think, "holy ***," or he avoids a defender and scrambles for a massive gain, or he completely takes over and is everything Alabama needs to elevate the team to a status we didn't think was possible. Either way, the Tide's signal caller may have needed a game or two to figure things out, but Saturday's 49-23 victory over Mississippi State answered the last question that many people had about Russell: Can he handle the pressure on the road?

Russell's last road performance wasn't stellar, turning the ball over three times in Lexington, Kentucky. The Tide still won 45-17, but Russell had the three turnovers and just 188 passing yards in the win over the Wildcats. Against the 16th-ranked Bulldogs in Starkville, he totaled 285 passing yards and four total touchdowns. Saturday's performance was enough to earn Russell Heisman recognition, as he is now the betting favorite after the Tide's win over Mississippi State.

Trae'shawn Brown Clicking Saved Alabama From a Bad Situation on Saturday

It was an uncharacteristic day from Daniel Hill, who had two fumbles in the first half of the Tide's road victory. As Alabama's starting running back, it's concerning to see Hill hit a wall just three games into the year (he started to struggle in the Tide's win against Florida State in week three). Thankfully for Alabama, freshman running back Trae'shawn Brown has emerged as someone who can tote the rock on offense, like he had to do in the Tide's win over the Bulldogs. As a team, Alabama totaled 161 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries (an average of 5.2 yards per carry). Brown had 14 of the attempts for 66 yards and two touchdowns (an average of 4.7 yards per carry). It felt nerve-racking to put so much trust in a true freshman, especially a former three-star, but Brown has delivered for the Tide when his number has been called.

If Alabama couldn't rely on Brown, where would that have put the Tide's run game on Saturday? Hill had the second-most carries of anyone (five) with just 22 yards to show for it. I shudder to think of the pressure that would have put on Russell had Alabama not been able to rely on Brown.

Passing Defense...I'm Starting to Get Worried

I really hate to be a debby downer when Alabama won by 33. I really do. But this Alabama pass defense that was heralded by many (myself included) as the "best in the country" struggled badly at times on Saturday. I know, if you look at Taylor's passing yards per game average, Alabama held him under that total, and yes, I know Alabama forced two interceptions on the hurt Bulldog starting quarterback. However, the Tide was victimized by Anthony Evans III while the game was still competitive. The former Georgia Bulldog hauled in 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. That isn't exactly a recipe for success, even when your offense is humming the way the Crimson Tide's did. This secondary needs to look itself in the mirror eventually, but for now, enjoy a 56-23 win before we all stress about the Georgia game next week.

No. 7 Alabama advances to 5-0 (3-0) on the season with Saturday's victory over No. 16 Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide will now turn its attention to next weekend's primetime matchup against the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs, with kickoff scheduled for 6:45 p.m. CT on ABC.

Coverage of No. 7 Alabama at No. 16 Mississippi State is brought to you by Pearl River Sportsbook.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.