Game Preview: #2 Alabama vs #17 Mississippi State

One year ago this was the matchup of the season with Missisippi State sitting on top of the College Football Playoff rankings at number one and Alabama as the first team out at number five. Dak Prescott came in as a possible Heisman candidate and Alabama was sporting their cast of future NFL stars.

The game last year was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to convert on third down and neither team averaged more than 3.9 yards per carry. While Alabama was held to just 335 total offensive yards against Mississippi State’s 428, it was the number of turnovers that put the Bulldogs in a tough position and inevitably why the game was lost. This week, with the Bulldogs playoff hopes slimmer than they were a year ago, Prescott gets his opportunity to redeem himself and make his team worthy of consideration again.

Players to Watch

Dak Prescott, QB Miss St

While Prescott’s numbers haven’t changed a whole lot since last season from an efficiency standpoint, his team does walk into this game with two more losses than they did last year. Anybody who knows football can tell you that the SEC is a battle every week no matter who you’re playing but without the wins the Bulldogs look much less intimidating than they did a season ago. If Prescott can refrain from turning the ball over and get De’Runnya Wilson on a couple of jump balls the Bulldogs might give themselves a chance in this game.

Reggie Ragland, MLB Alabama

Ragland comes in as one of the top ranking linebackers in this years draft class. Dak Prescott isn’t exactly a future star at QB in the NFL but if Ragland can show case his ability to stop the athletic college quarterback he could see a nice boost in his draft stock. While Prescott’s rushing numbers are nearly half of what he finished with last year he’s still the same threat to gain large chunks of yards and build momentum for an otherwise average offense.

Derrick Henry, RB Alabama

Want to know something amazing? Derrick Henry has scored in every single game this season, to go along with that in five out of his nine games he’s posted two or more touchdowns. While Mississippi State has one of the better defenses in college football, particularly against the run, they’re going to have their hands full with the 6’3 240 pound running back who seems to be getting better by the week.