Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Complete Game Preview

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — There’s no time off for Alabama.

Fresh off a thrilling 20-13 overtime victory at LSU, the Crimson Tide have to turn around and host the No. 1 team in the country in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

It usually works out in Alabama’s favor to play what is usually a middling Mississippi State team after a physical battle against LSU. This year, though, the Bulldogs are the best team in the nation and the surprise team of the year.

Dak Prescott is asserting himself as a Heisman front-runner, and Dan Mullen is a head coach on the rise.

There are plenty of storylines to follow for yet another huge game for Alabama this season.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Date: Saturday, November 15

Time: 2:30 p.m. CT

Place: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

TV: CBS

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network, MSU Sports Radio Network

Spread: Alabama by 7, according to OddsShark.com.

Alabama's Keys to Victory

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Run the ball

Alabama had its second-lowest rushing total of the season against LSU, putting up just 106 yards in Tiger Stadium. Against a beefy Mississippi State defensive line, it could run into more of the same problems. The Crimson Tide’s offense is at its best when it can run the ball, and it will need to do that to beat the Bulldogs.

Contain Dak Prescott

It’s been hard for teams to just completely stop the Mississippi State quarterback this season. Prescott hasn’t had a passing outing less than 200 yards and has only rushed for less than 50 yards once (in the first game of the season against Southern Miss). Alabama can’t let him have big days like he had against Auburn or LSU if it wants to win the game.

Mississippi State's Keys to Victory

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Don’t get overwhelmed by the stage

The Bulldogs aren’t exactly used to being in this position. They’ve never been No. 1 and have never had a 9-0 start. This is all new territory for them. Alabama, meanwhile, plays in two or three of these games a year. Two years ago, Mississippi came to Bryant-Denny 7-0, ready to take the next step. Alabama won 38-7. The Bulldogs have a chance at a re-do Saturday.

Prescott’s Heisman moment

We’ve seen it before with Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel. They come to Tuscaloosa, have a huge game to upset Alabama and vault into the Heisman race. Prescott could do the same. He’s considered a solid No. 2 to Oregon’s Marcus Mariota but could instantly change that with a huge showing and an upset over Alabama.

Alabama Players to Watch

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T.J. Yeldon

Alabama’s No. 1 running back is nursing an ankle injury after taking a big hit late against LSU. Alabama coach Nick Saban said Yeldon will be limited early in the week and could be up to speed later. The Crimson Tide need him to be healthy. Behind Yeldon, they have Derrick Henry, but with a season-ending injury to Kenyan Drake, Alabama is left with few proven options after him.

Reggie Ragland

Ragland is morphing into an alpha dog for Alabama on defense. He leads the team in tackles with 67 and has become a leader in the middle. He’ll lead the charge against Prescott and play a major role in how much success he has.

Mississippi State Players to Watch

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Dak Prescott

Mississippi State’s offensive attack will key around its quarterback, who has made several big plays in big games already this year. In Prescott, the Bulldogs have a junior quarterback who ranks in the top 10 in total offense, passing efficiency and points responsible for. He can do it all and will have to this week.

Chris Jones

The sophomore defensive lineman is one of the centerpieces of Mississippi State’s big front. He was a preseason All-American by several services and has three sacks with 3.5 tackles for loss already this year. He will play a big role in stopping Alabama’s run game and putting pressure on Blake Sims.

What They're Saying

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Alabama

Nick Saban on the importance of running the ball: "We struggled a little bit to run the ball against them last year. So it’s going to be really important that we have balance in this game. We’ve got to be able to run the ball more effectively and efficiently no matter who we play so that we can create that balance, but this is a very challenging front seven this year."  

Reggie Ragland on playing in another big game: "Anytime you have Game Day coming in and watch you play it’s a big game, I think. But we can’t let the things on the outside distract us. We’ve got to worry about us on the inside and do the things you’ve got to do."

Mississippi State

Dan Mullen on playing in a big game, per Drew Champlain of al.com:

"

The opportunity to play big games late in the season is what it's all about and what you work for. When you're looking at mid-to-late November and playing important games, it's going to be fun.

We're excited. It's a big game. Hopefully that becomes the norm for our program here as we continue to move forward.

"

Mullen on Alabama’s running back depth with Yeldon injured, per Champlain:

"

They got more and more and more coming out of there, too. They've still got a couple more 5-stars. I don't think the well's going to run dry for them on talent anytime soon.

Our guys are going to have to come out and play well and execute at a very, very high level.

"

Prediction

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Alabama 31, Mississippi State 20

This will be a close game at first. Alabama is coming off a physical, draining game with LSU, while Mississippi State is fresh off a drubbing of UT-Martin. That, combined with Mississippi State’s energy to be playing in such a big game, will make the game close in the first half. But Alabama has been nearly unbeatable at home, and the Crimson Tide will pull away late.

Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.