Bama / State Preview

It’s time to head to Starkville after a heartbreaking loss to LSU. The Tide, still holding tight to the top 25, will also be looking to avenge a loss last year to the Bulldogs, when MSU snapped a 23-game SEC road losing streak. Alabama had won the previous five meetings with Mississippi State by a combined 137-45 margin, and had not lost at home to the Bulldogs since 1997 (20-32). Although as stated in a previous post, we haven't scored an offensive touchdown against State since 2004. But in contrast, we have put the goose egg on the Bulldogs the past two visits there.

State looks to come in with good momentum after a bye week and a win over a No.14 Kentucky (31-14). Their work horse is going to be Anthony Dixon who has 885 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. State has no receiver that should give us any trouble, with their leader, Tony Burks, only bringing in a little over 300. The freshman Wesley Carroll, who most likely will start for the Dogs, has not thrown a pick yet this season. The Tide’s secondary has picked 10 from the air over the past four games to tie the conference with 15 total. It’d be nice to give him his first.

This past weeks 14 of 40 that J.P. Wilson posted looked similar to last years 19 of 39 against the Bulldogs. I bet Cody will address that in his keys to success. The D is going to have to come through if J.P. can’t produce. I’m looking for our offense to come out and post some good numbers. Just to give you a heads up, Wilson has thrown for over 2000 yards this season and Hall needs 160 to break a thousand.

The Tide has posted up better numbers in passing yards, rushing yards and points scored. If it gets close at the end we should be able to pull it out; with Saban getting the team to play complete game, “aight”. State is only 4-12 since 2001 in games decided by seven points or less.

I’m looking forward to sitting back and relaxing all afternoon post game knowing that the Tide has turned and that other school is got the label of “Croomed”.

---

Since things do change before gametime I thought I would add updates to the bottom.

It seems that Dixon may not play very much after all. He had a case of fumbleitis against Kentucky and Sly said he may not play.

On the Tide side, it appears Chris Capps may sneak back into the starting lineup Saturday. Mike Johnson will probably be starting at guard and Capps will fill in for him. You may remember him last year in the State game. He let Titus Brown run all around him and sack JP, bad news for us Mr. Brown is still playing for State and they will probably try to exploit the mismatch.