Mississippi State vs. Alabama – Game Preview – October 22, 2022 – ESPN

No. 24 Mississippi State (5-2, 2-2 SEC) at No. 6 Alabama (6-1, 3-1), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Line: Alabama by 21, based on .

Sequence document: Alabama leads 86-17-3.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Alabama must not solely get again on the successful observe, however return to trying like a nationwide championship contender. The penalties and different errors have piled up recently and positively surfaced in a loss to No. 3 Tennessee that ended the Crimson Tide’s 40-week stint within the High 5. The Bulldogs have already misplaced their first two street video games, to LSU and Kentucky. They’re attempting to stay ranked and a minimum of mathematically alive within the SEC West.

KEY MATCHUP

Alabama’s secondary was burned downfield at occasions by Hendon Hooker and Tennessee. Now, the Tide faces one other prolific passing sport. The Bulldogs have the No. 8 passing offense nationally, averaging 334.6 yards a sport. The Tide had largely been strong in avoiding giving up the deep ball. The problem is completely different from the Tennessee sport. The Volunteers lead the SEC in yards per completion whereas Mississippi State is final, leaning closely on high-percentage shorter passes and many them.

KEY PLAYERS

Mississippi St: QB Will Rogers has thrived in coach Mike Leach’s offense, rating third nationally with 2,324 passing yards and 23 passing touchdowns. However he was intercepted 3 times and sacked seven occasions in final yr’s assembly.

Alabama: LB Will Anderson Jr. is not simply one of many nation’s greatest defensive gamers and move rushers, he is additionally a key chief on the crew. Anderson’s management and vitality could possibly be pivotal in rebounding from defensive struggles in opposition to Tennessee that left the group embarrassed.

FACTS & FIGURES

Alabama has received the final 14 conferences, however had a 15-game win streak within the rivalry with Tennessee final weekend. … The Tide has confronted Mississippi State greater than every other opponent because the groups first met in 1896. … Rogers has tied Dak Prescott’s (2012-15) MSU profession document with 70 passing touchdowns. He wants 337 yards to match Prescott’s profession passing yards document (9,376). … Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes has 4 interceptions in his final three video games, and has returned two of them for touchdowns. He simply tied the SEC profession document along with his fifth pick-6 at Kentucky. … The Bulldogs are outscoring opponents 66-7 within the first quarter whereas Alabama has a 90-27 edge.

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