Alabama’s 56-23 win over Mississippi State gave the Crimson Tide more than just a lopsided result on the scoreboard. It also produced a full slate of weekly honors, with standout performances popping across offense, defense and special teams after a game that served as Alabama’s biggest test of the season so far.
The Tide controlled the previously No. 16-ranked Bulldogs in all three phases, turning in a performance that drew comparisons to the kind of showcase Alabama delivered 12 years ago against a highly ranked Mississippi State team led by Dak Prescott. This time, the spotlight belonged to a different set of Tide playmakers.
Sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell, junior tight end Josh Ford and junior offensive lineman JD Martin were named co-offensive players of the week. Russell was the engine of the attack, putting together 301 total yards and four total touchdowns while doing damage through the air and on the ground.
On the defensive side, Alabama spread the recognition around. Freshman linebacker Xavier Griffin, sophomore defensive back Dijon Lee Jr., junior linebacker Torin Craig and the entire Crimson Tide defensive line all earned player of the week honors. Griffin led Alabama with 12 tackles, while Lee added his first pick-six of the season.
The defensive front made life miserable for Kamario Taylor and Mississippi State’s usually dangerous offense, finishing with five sacks and nine tackles for loss. By the end of the afternoon, it was hard to argue the line hadn’t turned in its best showing of the year.
Special teams got its share of the spotlight as well. Sophomore placekicker Lorcan Quinn and junior wideout Cooper Mollison were both recognized, with Quinn converting his lone extra point and Mollison earning praise for his work on the scout team during the week leading up to the game.
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Why One AP Ballot Has Mississippi State Fans Talking Again
A surprising AP ballot has given Mississippi State fans something to chew on again after the Bulldogs loss to Alabama and their consensus spot at No. 17. AP voter Greg Luca placed Mississippi State at No. 10 in the latest poll, a mark that stands well above where the public rankings have the Bulldogs and far ahead of what most observers expected after that defeat.
Luca has said he takes a week-to-week clean-slate approach and leans heavily on head-to-head results when comparing one-loss SEC teams, which helped shape his placement. The gap between his ballot and the overall AP Poll has already sparked criticism on social media, and it adds another layer to the ongoing debate over how much weight recent results should carry in a crowded SEC race. [Read more 🡒]
Mississippi States Heisman Buzz Suddenly Feels Fragile After Alabama
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For Mississippi State, the appeal is obvious: a quarterback getting mentioned in the same breath as some of the sports biggest stars is the kind of momentum that can change a seasons feel overnight. But with Alabama now in the mix and the national spotlight only getting harsher, Taylors Heisman case suddenly looks far less secure than it did a week ago, and the Bulldogs know the coming stretch will tell whether this is lasting traction or just an early-season flash. [Read more 🡒]