Alabama looked a lot sharper against South Carolina, but the Crimson Tide still left a few warning signs on the table before heading to Starkville.
That matters because Mississippi State is not the kind of opponent that lets mistakes slide. Alabama won’t need perfection to beat the Bulldogs on Saturday, but it will need its best performance of the season so far. Kalen DeBoer’s team has to clean up the same issues that were manageable against South Carolina but could turn ugly against a tougher, more explosive opponent.
The first problem is the run defense. Mississippi State is more than just Kamario Taylor, even if the quarterback is the headline act. On Monday, Kane Wommack said Taylor might be the best quarterback Alabama has faced in his three seasons as defensive coordinator, which is saying something even with names like Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza in the mix from last year’s Rose Bowl.
Still, the Bulldogs’ ground game deserves attention. Mississippi State is averaging more than 217 rushing yards per game, which ranks 14th nationally, and South Alabama transfer Fluff Bothwell is the kind of back who can help them control tempo early. If Jeff Lebby’s offense gets the run game rolling, it opens the door for Taylor to attack downfield.
That’s the danger for Alabama. The Tide gave up 216 rushing yards to South Carolina last week, and they’re still missing important edge defenders Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu. That’s not the recipe you want when the other team wants balance and a quarterback who can punish you if you get out of shape.
The back end has to be cleaner, too. Alabama has already been hit by coverage busts in back-to-back weeks.
Against South Carolina, there was only one, but it was a costly one: sophomore cornerback Dijon Lee slipped and Nyck Harbor turned it into an uncontested touchdown. Florida State exposed that problem even more.
That kind of mistake could be fatal against Taylor. He is the best quarterback Alabama has seen this season, and he has the arm talent to turn one breakdown into a long night. Anthony Evans headlines a deep receiver group, and if Alabama gives up free access behind the defense, Mississippi State can make it pay fast.
Wommack may choose to lean more heavily on zone looks to keep everything in front of him. Taylor’s deep-ball accuracy is his biggest weapon, so taking that away has to be a priority.
And then there’s the offense, which can’t afford another stretch of wasted snaps if this game turns into the shootout it could become. Alabama opened against South Carolina with a quick three-and-out, then ripped off four straight touchdown drives. After Red Morgan’s interception return pushed the lead to 35-3, though, the Crimson Tide went through four straight empty possessions, including a stretch where the longest drive lasted just five plays.
They steadied themselves with two more touchdown drives to finish the job, but against Mississippi State that kind of lull could make things a lot tighter than they need to be. Keelon Russell and the offense need to stay sharp all afternoon, keep moving the ball, and cash in whenever they get the chance. In a game where points may come fast, Alabama can’t afford to leave any on the field.
If the Crimson Tide want to leave Starkville unbeaten, they’ll need 60 minutes of clean football.
In Other News...
Alabama Just Got A Serious Warning Before Mississippi State
Mississippi State comes into Saturdays matchup with Alabama carrying real momentum, and much of it has flowed through Kamario Taylor. The Bulldogs are 4-0 and ranked No. 16 in the AP poll, with Taylor piling up 1,377 total yards and 15 touchdowns in the early going while steering a fast-paced offense that has made people around the league take notice. Even before kickoff, the Tide know this is not the kind of early SEC test you can treat like a routine tune-up.
Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack added to that sense of urgency by calling Taylor possibly the best quarterback his defense has seen in the last three years. Wommack pointed to Taylors deep ball, his RPO decision-making and the way he leads a quick, athletic receiving group, all of which help explain why Mississippi State has looked so sharp. With a nationally televised 11 a.m. CT start looming, Alabama is staring at a fast start in Starkville and a quarterback who has already issued a loud warning. [Read more 🡒]
DeBoer Just Put Alabamas Recruiting Pressure In Clear Focus
Kalen DeBoer used a recent look inside Alabamas recruiting operation to put the programs priorities in sharper focus, and it started with the role Courtney Morgan has carved out as the first general manager in school history. Morgan has become a central figure in coordinating the Tides recruiting work, setting weekly meetings that bring the recruiting staff and coaching assistants onto the same page as Alabama tries to keep its roster-building machine moving in step with the standards that come with the job.
The broader picture is one of transition and pressure, because Alabamas class rankings have fluctuated and the program has already leaned heavily on the transfer market, bringing in 20 transfers last offseason. Even with that approach, the plan is to put more emphasis on high school recruiting going forward, which makes the alignment DeBoer praised even more important as the Tide try to balance immediate help with the long-term pipeline that has always defined the programs edge. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Is Putting Serious Pressure On A Priority 2027 Cornerback
The 2027 cornerback board is already starting to take shape, and Preston Glasco has quickly become one of the more interesting names in the mix. The 3-star defensive back backed off his UConn commitment and has since drawn heavy attention from Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, with the Crimson Tide making him a clear priority as they work to build early momentum in the cycle.
Glasco has already been on Alabamas campus multiple times, including official visits around the South Carolina and Georgia games, which gives the staff a strong foothold in the race. Tennessee may still get a look, but the Tide seem to have done the most to separate themselves so far, and the next stretch of visits should say plenty about how firm that lead really is. [Read more 🡒]