Alabama vs. Mississippi State Football 2009
Bulldogs Present Next SEC Challenge for Unbeaten Crimson Tide
Undefeated Alabama will try to improve to 10-0 on Saturday, Nov. 14, when it takes on Mississippi State in a Southeastern Conference football game at Starkville, Miss.
The Crimson Tide, ranked No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series standings, has already locked up a spot opposite No. 1 Florida in the SEC championship game Dec. 5 in Atlanta. But Alabama (9-0 overall, 6-0 SEC) still has a perfect record to maintain, and doing so has been extremely challenging.
Coach Nick Saban's Tide received stiff challenges throughout a three-game homestand it finished last weekend. Alabama stopped South Carolina 20-6, held on for a 12-10 triumph over Tennessee, then repelled No. 8 LSU 24-15 last Saturday.
The Tide will get a breather on Nov. 21, when it plays Chattanooga at home. But first Alabama must handle Mississippi State, which is a dangerous opponent despite a losing record. The Bulldogs (4-5, 2-3) have faced a rugged schedule in their first season under head coach Dan Mullen.
Alabama and MIssissippi State will be playing for 94th time. The Crimson Tide leads the series 72-18-3, but the Bulldogs have won two of the last three. Ålabama prevailed 32-7 at Tuscaloosa, Ala., last season.
Saturday's game is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST and will be telecast by ESPN. On display will be Alabama's highly rated defense, and two of the nation's top running backs — Anthony Dixon of MIssissippi State and Mark Ingram of Alabama.
Bulldogs Competitive Against Ranked Teams
Mississippi State's defeats came to Auburn, LSU, Houston, Georgia Tech, Houston and Florida. All of those schools have been ranked this season, and four of them are currently among the Top 15. Only Auburn managed to beat Mississippi State by more than 11 points.
Good news for Alabama is that the Bulldogs are 1-4 at home this season, with the lone victory being a 45-7 decision over Jackson State in the season opener.
Bad news for the Tide is that Mississippi State hasn't played since a 31-24 win at Kentucky on Oct. 31 and has been preparing for Alabama for two weeks. The Tide also had to face LSU with the latter coming off a bye.
Dixon Holds Mississippi State Rushing Records
Mullen, the former Florida offensive coordinator, installed a new spread offense at Mississippi State. But the Bulldogs have relied as heavily as ever on fourth-year standout Dixon.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior has rushed for 1,001 yards and nine touchdowns, picking up 5.5 yards per carry. His average of 125.13 yards per game ranks eighth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.
Dixon's piled up a school-record 3,604 yards and 39 touchdowns during his career, and he set another MSU mark by rushing for 252 yards vs. Kentucky. But on Saturday, he'll be up against an Alabama rushing defense that allows just 68.22 yards per contest — second best in the FBS.
Turnovers Plague MSU
Despite Dixon's heroics, the Bulldogs haven't exactly been dominant on offense, averaging 26.9 points and 384.7 yards per game. They've committed 23 turnovers — tied for 111th in the 120-team FBS.
Quarterback Tyson Lee has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,271 yards. But the 5-10 senior has thrown just four TD passes and he's been intercepted 11 times. Lee has shared QB duties with Chris Relf, who's rushed for 292 yards and passed for 213.
Freshman Chad Bumphis is the leading receiver, withh 26 catches for 290 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Marcus Green has 22 catches for 264 yards and two touchdowns.
Bulldogs Defense Won't Intimidate Tide
The Mississippi State defense has been sound, giving up 24.6 points and 351.9 yards per game. But Alabama, which has just tangled with LSU and Tennessee, surely won't be in awe.
MSU does possess a strong linebacking trio in Jamar Chaney, K.J. Wright and Chris White. Chaney paces the team with 73 tackles, and also has two interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles. Wright is second with 65 tackles — including six for losses — and White has 45.
The defensive line is led by end Pernell McPhee (9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) while the secondary features Marcus Washington (49 tackles) and Charles Mitchell (46 tackles). Freshman Corey Broomfield has a team-best three interceptions.
Running Game Sets Tone for Alabama Offense
Alabama can be expected to pound away behind a robust offensive line led by Mike Johnson. The formula's worked well enough, as Alabama is managing 30.9 points and 414.7 yards per game.
Ingram has rushed for 1,160 yards and eight touchdowns on 6.6 yards per attempt. The sophomore is sixth in the FBS with an average of 127.56 yards per game. He also shares the team lead in receptions with 24 — good foor 216 yards and three TDs.
QB Greg McElroy has kept things under control well enough, completing 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,721 yards and 11 TDs, with only four interceptions.
Sophomores Julio Jones (24 catches, 331 yards, 2 TDs) and Marquis Maze (21 receptions, 368 yards, 2 TDs) head the receiving corps. Trent Richardson (404 yards, 3 TDs) adds depth the running game, and kicker Leigh Tiffin (23-for-26 on field goal) and return man Javier Arenas boost the special teams.
Tide Defense Still Tough
There hasn't been much of a letdown – if any – for the Alabama defense. The Tide is fourth in the FBS in total defense (242 yards per game) and sixth in scoring defense (11.8 points per game). Alabama is giving up only 2.3 yards per rush.
Rolando McClain (team-high 66 tackles, 2 interceptions) and Eryk Anders (44 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) lead the linebacking corps. The defensive line features Marcell Dareus (8.5 tackles for loss, team-best 6.5 sacks) and nose guard Terrance Cody (20 tackles, 5 tackles for loss).
A talented secondary includes Arenas (52 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 sacks), Mark Barron (55 tackles, 4 interceptions), Marquis Johnson (11 pass breakups) and Kareem Jackson (9 pass breakups).
Alabama has registered 26 sacks — 17 more than it's allowed.
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