Mississippi State vs. Alabama: Game Grades, Analysis for Tide

Alabama had no post-LSU letdown on Saturday and used five touchdowns from quarterback Jalen Hurts to beat Mississippi State 51-3 in Tuscaloosa.

The Crimson Tide improved to 10-0 for the first time since 2013 and continue to look like the best team in the country. Despite the early kickoff, Alabama got off to a quick start, leading 10-0 after the opening quarter. It was the first time since 1997 that the Tide scored a first-quarter touchdown in the week after facing LSU.

Pass Offense

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It was a big day for the passing attack, as Alabama's game plan was to help Hurts feel more comfortable throwing the ball. The freshman quarterback finished with season highs in completions, attempts, passing yards and passing touchdowns. Hurts completed 75 percent of his pass attempts for 347 yards and four scores. He missed on a couple of throws and threw a bad interception, but overall he still had a great day.

Hurts connected with eight different receivers, but his two favorite targets for the game were ArDarius Stewart and O.J. Howard. Stewart finished with eight receptions for 156 yards and three touchdowns on 13 targets, all career highs for the junior. Howard finished with 77 yards on six receptions. Calvin Ridley caught the game's opening touchdown, and Trevon Diggs had a touchdown reception from Cooper Bateman late in the final quarter.

Grade: A

Rush Offense

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The running game was not needed once the passing attack started to succeed, but it was not a bad day for the backfield. Hurts led the team with 100 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries. Josh Jacobs was the leading running back, finishing the day with 89 yards on nine attempts, including a 43-yard scamper in the third quarter.

Damien Harris only had three carries against the Bulldogs, finishing with just nine yards, and Bo Scarbrough never got a carry. Running backs Derrick Gore and Ronnie Clark combined for 20 rushing yards on eight carries late in the game. As a team, the Crimson Tide averaged 7.1 yards per carry. 

Grade: A-

Pass Defense

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Alabama's defense did not have any problems stopping Nick Fitzgerald and the Bulldogs' passing attack. Fitzgerald finished with 10 completions on 33 pass attempts and threw for just 145 yards on Saturday.

Tony Brown came away with the team's only interception, but Anthony Averett was in the spotlight for most of the game. According to ESPN.com, the junior cornerback finished with two pass deflections and four tackles. Averett was one of six Alabama defenders to register a pass breakup in the game. 

The Bulldogs had three pass plays of more than 20 yards, but the Crimson Tide's pass rush quickly made up for them. Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson and Raekwon Davis all recorded sacks on Saturday, and nine different players finished with at least one quarterback hurry. 

Grade: A+

Rush Defense

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It was just another game for the Crimson Tide's defensive front, as it continued to perform on Saturday. Alabama held the visitors to 94 rushing yards and just 2.7 yards per carry. The Bulldogs got 46 of those yards on just two carries, getting the other 48 yards on 33 carries.

Alabama finished the game with eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Reuben Foster was one of six players to record a tackle for loss, and the linebacker led the team with six total tackles. Twenty-nine different players recorded defensive stats for the Tide, showing the depth that head coach Nick Saban loves to play with.

Grade: A-

Special Teams

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Adam Griffith converted all three of his field-goal attempts, including a 30-yard field goal that opened the scoring for the Crimson Tide. Griffith finished with 14 points on the day, and even reserve kicker Andy Pappanastos got on the board with a late extra point. JK Scott had another strong day punting the ball, averaging 51.2 yards on his three punts, which included a 62-yard kick. 

The kickoff team showed some weakness, allowing Brandon Holloway to average 31 yards per return, including a 50-yard return that would have been a touchdown without a huge tackle from Averett. Diggs only got one opportunity to return a punt but never muffed the ball, which is a good sign for the freshman. 

Grade: A-

Coaching

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It never seems to be easy to bounce back after a physical game like last week's matchup with LSU, but this team had no problems. With an early kickoff after a hard-fought victory, no one would have been surprised to see the Crimson Tide come out a little flat or struggle in the opening quarter. This team was not going to do that, as it continues to show consistency in its performances. 

Alabama was only called for three penalties in the game, and the offense finished the day 7-for-13 on third downs. The Tide's defense allowed nine Mississippi State drives to cross midfield, but it would not break, which is a sign of good coaching. Alabama forced four turnovers on downs. 

Grade: A