Grades for Alabama football’s performance in win over Mississippi State

Alabama football earned its second SEC victory of 2023 on Saturday, dispatching Mississippi State 40-17 in Starkville. The Crimson Tide moved to 4-1 on the season with the win and remained undefeated in conference.

UA plays Texas A&M on the road Saturday. As the Crimson Tide moves on to that game, here are our grades from the MSU win.

Offense: B-

The Crimson Tide certainly showed positive signs. Quarterback Jalen Milroe parted the defense on the way to a 53-yard touchdown run to open the scoring, and the run game in general was solid.

Milroe also made some nice throws. Amari Niblack had an excellent game at tight end, leading all Alabama receivers with 61 yards on three catches.

The offensive line also had one of its best games of the season. However, that group still has more to work on, as does the entire offense.

The Tide had one fumble caused by a miscommunication on a snap and saw several drives that seemed destined for touchdowns stall out into field goals. This was a good performance, but not a great one.

Defense: A

The Alabama defense has been the team’s bedrock all season. The group allowed just 17 points against Mississippi State, and looked dominant much of the way.

The Crimson Tide had three interceptions off Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers. It also made two stops on fourth down to get the ball back for the offense.

UA was without its regular defensive signal-caller, inside linebacker Deontae Lawson. In his place, Jihaad Campbell and Trezman Marshall both played solid games, with Campbell collecting one of Alabama’s interceptions.

Overall, Saturday’s game was as dominant performance by an excellent group.

Special teams: B+

James Burnip might be Alabama’s best player. That’s not hyperbole, nor is it a slight against anyone else on the team.

The Australian-born punter is just that good. He hit three punts, averaging 53.3 yards per kick and landed his first boot inside the Mississippi State one-yard line.

Will Reichard was also good at kicker, hitting four field goals including two from 48 yards. Unfortunately for Alabama, the two kickers weren’t the only part of special teams.

The Crimson Tide loses points for a mental error by punt returner Kool-Aid McKinstry. McKinstry fielded MSU’s first punt around the 50-yard line when it was clear he should have fair caught it.

Alabama recovered his fumble, but eventually that kind of error will haunt the Tide.

Coaching: A-

Alabama came to Starkville and executed its game plan. Saban was visibly angry on the sideline at times throughout the game, but most of the issues eventually got worked out.

As in most games, there were things fans could quibble with. But in a 40-17 win on the road in the SEC, those were relatively minor.

Overall: A

As mentioned before, this was a 40-17 road win against an SEC opponent. Mississippi State played physically enough to test the Crimson Tide at times, but it was clear which squad was the better team.

There were certainly mistakes that could have cost UA more in a different game. But in Saturday’s contest, the Tide powered through.

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