Alabama Passes the 24-Hour Sulking Mark: It's Time to Prepare for Miss. State

The 24-hour rule is still in effect for the coaches and the team. Fans can brood all they want but the team has moved on and is now in preparation for the last Saturday home game of the season. That's right folks, this season is quickly coming to an end but it ain't over yet.

Alabama squares off against Mississippi State on 11/13/10 with a chance to regain their confidence and restore life to a fanbase that had high hopes for this team. The loss to LSU knocked the collective breath out of the fans but a pulse is still palpable. If you know anything about CPR, you are aware that a shock is not necessary if a pulse is palpable. All this fanbase needs is a little assisted breathing.

All is well in Alabama; the fans love this team and respect the coaching staff. The Crimson Tide is more than two-thirds of the way through a third season of unmatched success by any other team in the Southeastern Conference.

Saban and his staff have suffered two regular season losses in three years. Since the 2007 season, Alabama is 33-4, two losses coming in the postseason of 2008. Saban is 40-10 as head coach at the University of Alabama.

I think most reasonable fans can appreciate what has been accomplished for this program considering all that has taken place since the hiring of Mike Dubose as head coach in 1997.

While there may be some questions in the minds of the fans as to why this current offense is stumbling, wise observers of the game know that this team is in good hands. The defense is young and talented. All-Americans are in the making, without a doubt.

Mississippi State, as has been the case with the past four opponents, comes into the game following a bye week, allowing for additional concentrated preparation for their match against the Crimson Tide. As it stands, the Tide are 2-2 against bye week opponents.

A lot has been made into discussion regarding the MSU team psyche following the death of their teammate Nick Bell. Bell lost his battle with cancer Tuesday of last week. Practices continued but they were not mandatory.

Many of the players are reported to have undergone grief counseling because of the loss of their friend. While events such as the death of a teammate tend to galvanize relationships and often become a rallying point for teams, there is still a genuine grieving period and reconciliation with the fact that death eventually touches us all and must be dealt with on a personal level, in order to move forward with life.

Nick Bell is one of our own, the Bulldog outside linebacker graduated from Jess Lanier, in Bessemer. No doubt, many of the players for the Crimson Tide are touched by his passing, as well. Expect a moment of silence prior to kickoff on Saturday night.

Dan Mullen's team is much improved over the past year. They enter Bryant-Denny boasting a record of 7-2, matching the record of the Crimson Tide. The 17-14 loss to Auburn early in the season was a hard-fought contest that could have gone either way but the end result was a coming out party for the sensational Auburn quarterback, Cameron Newton. The MSU defense held the Auburn Tigers scoreless in the fourth quarter, a feat that has not been repeated.

With wins over East Division rival Florida and victories over Georgia and Kentucky, MSU has run the table with the East Division opponents in 2010. Their toughness will be tested against Alabama, Arkansas and in-state rival Ole Miss, to finish the season.

Quarterback Chris Relf leads the Bulldog offense with 70 completions on 130 attempts for just over 900 yards on the season. He is second on the team in rushing with 507 yards on 123 carries, touting a 4.1 yard average per carry. All of last season, Relf had 500 yards on 76 carries.

The Bulldog gunslinger has completed seven passes for touchdowns against only three interceptions on the season and has scored three TDs rushing. At 6'4" and 240 lbs he is a true dual-threat quarterback and a difficult ball carrier to bring down one-on-one. Chris Relf will present a challenge to the Alabama linebacker corps and defensive front line.

The loss of Anthony Dixon was sure to be felt by the Bulldog offense in 2010. All Dixon did in 2009 was carry the ball 257 times for 1,391 yards (5.4 yards per carry), crossing the goal line 12 times against the opposition on the season. He has been replaced by a committee of ball carriers, led by Vick Ballard.

Ballard has 92 carries on the season for 619 yards (6.7 YPC) and 12 TDs. LaDarius Perkins follows with 69 carries, 377 yards and three touchdowns. Third in line is Robert Ellis with 47 carries for 173 yards. Ellis has yet to score on the season.

Chad Bumphis is Dan Mullen's Percy Harvin. Bumphis has 17 carries for 126 yards (7.6 YPC) and 502 yards receiving on 35 catches, averaging 14.3 yards per catch. Bumphis has four touchdowns on the year. Arceto Clark and Brandon Heavens combine for 31 receptions and 486 yards. Each has scored two touchdowns.

On the season, the Bulldogs have scored 253 points and allowed 153 by opponents. The offense favors the run, with 392 carries for 1,968 yards and 192 passing plays. Relf and backup quarterback Tyler Russell have combined for 105 completions for 1,481 yards through nine games. Average time of possession is 30:30 for the Bulldogs. The offense is definitely more productive by committee.

Alabama's defense will need to rebound after the beating they took in the second half against LSU. Giving up 191 rushing yards in the second half against the Tigers was hard enough to watch. Imagine what it was like to be a defensive player on the field. This team will have to collectively regroup with little time to prepare and protect their home turf with pride.

Coming off of a 10-reception game against one of the best defensive backs in the country, Julio Jones should remain the go-to guy for Greg McElroy. But McElroy needs to spread the ball around and not be too predictable or the stingy defense of the MSU Bulldogs will get aggressive and shut down the passing game. This Alabama offense thrives on balance.

The offensive line must improve their technique and protect the passer. They must also quit committing penalties, particularly when those penalties come on plays with big offensive gains.

This Mississippi State team is opportunistic when given a chance in the fourth quarter. Alabama must separate early and sustain long drives that result in touchdowns. Time of possession in favor of Alabama will likely result in Crimson Tide victory.