Two top 25, unbeaten SEC teams face off on Saturday as the No. 11 Mississippi St. Bulldogs try to become the first team to derail the momentum of the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide. As the only remaining unbeaten teams in the SEC West, a win is absolutely crucial for any team harboring SEC title hopes.
Mississippi State vs. Alabama 2012 TV schedule, odds and preview
The No. 11 Mississippi State Bulldogs will try to knock over the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday. A.J McCarron has thrown 239 passes without an interception, but the Bulldogs have the best turnover differential in the country. Live national college football coverage all day here, and look through SB Nation’s many excellent college football blogs to find your team’s community.Follow @SBNationCFB
John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE
The two 7-0 teams are fairly close on paper, but Alabama seems to have the edge in every category. Alabama is first in the nation in defense, averaging only 8.3 points against per game. The Bulldogs rank ninth, giving up 14.4 per game. Alabama is ranked 14th on offense, with 41.0 points per game, while Mississippi State is 27th with 36.7. Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron has thrown for 16 touchdowns without an interception, while Mississippi State's Tyler Russell has thrown for 15 touchdowns with only one interception. The Bulldogs finally gain the advantage in turnover margin, ranking No. 1 with +17, over Alabama's third-place +14.
All those little advantages add up to the Tide being clear favorites in the contest. The Nov. 3 rematch with LSU might be the date circled on everyone’s calendar, but Saturday night should see a classic in Tuscaloosa.
Game time, TV channel: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Point spread: Alabama favored by 24 points
Check the national college football scoreboard right here, and look through SB Nation’s many excellent college football blogs to find your team’s community.
See More:
