Alabama Pounds Mississippi State 31-3; One Down and Two to Go

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One down and two to go, as Alabama played one of its best games in Starkville, Miss., yesterday and the Crimson Tide rolled over the Bulldogs 31-3.

Now there are only two teams between Alabama being undefeated in the regular season for the second year in a row. That hasn't been accomplished by anyone in the SEC since Alabama did it in 1965 and 1966.

Alabama is set to play UT-Chattanooga next Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CST and then play Auburn the following Friday with the time for kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. CST.

Alabama must win those crucial games and the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta in order to play for the BCS Title in January for the BCS National Championship.

It would seem Alabama is reaching its potential at the right time and seemed to be firing on all cylinders in this week's game with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Watching Alabama play Saturday, it was apparent that this was one of Alabama's most complete games. In fact other than a glitch in kickoff coverage, it was near perfect.

Not only did Alabama outscore the Bulldogs 31-3, they dominated Mississippi State in a way they haven't been dominated all year long.

Alabama more than doubled MSU's prolific offense's output, 444 yards to 213. 

Everyone got into the act as McElroy had one of his best games as well. Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, Darius Hanks, and Marquis Maze all made big plays in a game of big plays. 

Some in the media were predicting a possible upset due to Alabama's tough game with LSU last week and the Auburn game looming in only 13 days. Not only was that not the case, Mississippi State was never in this game from the kickoff.

So it's one down and two to go in order to arrive at their ultimate destination unbeaten.

Alabama is set to play the Florida Gators on Dec. 5 in Atlanta, and the winner of that important game will be playing for the National Championship in Pasadena on Jan. 7, 2010.

If both Florida and Alabama arrive in Atlanta undefeated, that will be a certainty.

Alabama is playing their best football now and seems to be a team of destiny.

That destiny may include Alabama's 13th National Championship and Nick Saban's second. 

If you look at it that way, it actually is one down and four to go.

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