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I am excited about this game as a non-fan of both teams.

Thoughts:
- Bama seems to be much better at home than on the road - advantage Bama;
- the last time State went to Tuscaloosa, they got destroyed and I think they were undefeated then too- maybe one loss;
- State has not looked like the team that beat Auburn, since the Auburn game - playing as number 1 with everything to lose is very tough mentally and I think it is affecting them;
- Bama started the season with three experienced, all world running backs. They are down to one now. That will play some roll in the game;
- For State to win, they are going to have to overcome the refs (Ole Miss was able to when Bama was gifted a TD that resulted from a facemask);
- Dak is going to win or lose the Heisman this weekend.

In the end, I think Bama is the better team, has the better coaching staff and they are at home.

Red Elephants 28-14.

the big IF will be whether we can play without the sloppiness that has crept in...eventhough we are winning, they aren't clean games. bama is normally used to playing relatively clean games and after a few weeks of the same sloppy play i think all 12 cylinders will be clicking in thoroubred fashion.
IF we can play with few mental mistakes in t'loosa, we squeak by ... our sidewalk fans berating your sidewalk fans all the way out of the stadium

1999- MSU went to Tuscaloosa 8-0
They left 8-1
2012- MSU went to Tuscaloosa 7-0
They left 7-1
2014- MSU heads to Tuscaloosa 9-0
?

as an ole miss fan, i've honestly thought state has seemed like a more complete team than pretty much everyone else for most of the year...yeah, i know, they've looked sluggish at times, but so does just about everyone at a given weekend...winners figure it out. having said that, bama seems to really be putting it together at the right time (no surprise there). i think it'll be a close game with bama pulling it out in the fourth quarter.

completely agree with this weekend being important for Dak's heisman hopes....and, as bad as i hate to say it, i've been really impressed with him both on and off the field all year. hard to root against him, but i'll figure something out

gator

Gator,

I always thought you were to cool to be a Bear fan!?!?

Jt

JLT wrote:Gator,

I always thought you were to cool to be a Bear fan!?!?

Jt

oh good grief

gator

The MSU offense is the most dynamic offense Alabama has played against this year. The MSU defensve front 7 is THE best they have faced all year. If MSU is +1 in the turnover margin they will win by 10+. I know I am probably setting myself up for a letdown, but the Dawgs are fixin ta eat!

MSU 24 - Bama 13

Is it Saturday yet?.................

10-0.....we believe!

It all revolves around limiting Cooper's touches. If you can keep him off the field and the ball out of his hands, we will win this game. That being said, the kid is a microwave and if he gets into a rhythm, it could be a long long night. Having Yeldon banged up and Drake out forces the offense to lean on Cooper, in my opinion.

I anticipate we take a page out of LSU's book and we let Josh Robinson pound the ball for as long as we can and then let Dak pick up the 3rd down slack when needed. From a defensive standpoint, we have one of the best front sevens in the country. Numbers don't do it justice because we have done a lot of 1A & 1B rotations, but I feel fairly confident subsitutions will be kept to a situational basis for this game. Preston Smith and Chris Jones won't leave the field much.

I didn't buy into the "We Believe" garbage of 2012, we had a mid-tier QB with some below average young receivers. Our defense is the only thing that kept us alive that entire season and it showed in that game.

We now have arguably, the best QB in the country, and a plethora of receivers that have stepped up for us. We have a first round draft pick in our middle line backer, depth in the entire front seven and experience in the secondary. This is the most balanced attack Bama will see all year. They haven't seen a dual threat QB like Dak, yet and it will be interesting to see how that plays out.

From an injury standpoint, Dak is as close to 100% as he has been all year. Also, I would venture a guess that Jameon Lewis makes a "miracle" recovery for this week.
We stayed fresh after last week, Josh Robinson didn't play much and Dak dished the ball mostly and didn't get knocked around much when he did keep it.

This isn't the same team you saw in 2012, Bama. We won't lay down and I'd imagine it's going to be one heck of a game.



edited to add: I reserve the right to delete the post and never mention my msu bulldogs again if we get clobbered....

MSU defense allows 300 yards passing per game, which is last in SEC. That has to be a concern.

webbmaster wrote:MSU defense allows 300 yards passing per game, which is last in SEC. That has to be a concern.

I agree. Its a huge issue. Safety help over the top will have to be there. What happens when everyone else has to go man-to-man? I don't know, but I doubt it will be a good thing for MSU. Blake Sims is the key to AL winning. IF he can make the throws and keep the MSU defense honest, U of A wins in a walk. If he is inconsistent in the passing game and turns the ball over, its a close game.

Pond

When you shutdown the run, teams are going to pass for more yds. It happens.

Greenhead22 wrote:When you shutdown the run, teams are going to pass for more yds. It happens.

Especially when your ahead two TDs on most of the teams that put those numbers up. Teams playing from behind are gonna pass more.

Target on MSU jerseys.