Well, the next two weeks should be the easy part for the Tide. They are huge favorites this week, and will be huge favorites next week, as well. The only test that remains is the Iron Bowl against No. 7 Auburn, which is the only team that has an outside shot at winning the SEC West. Lose there, and it’ll be the Tigers going to the SEC Championship Game, not the Tide. Lose there, and it’ll also be some other combination of teams playing for the crystal football.
How to watch Alabama vs. Mississippi State 2013: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
Keep winning and you’re in, Bama.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Spor
The Bulldogs will have to play inspired ball to pull the upset, but they could be dangerous enough to do it, if last week’s 51-41 loss to Texas A&M was any indication.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Surprise, surprise, the Tide are still the No. 1 team in the BCS rankings. Alabama has won five in a row against Mississippi State and is 75-18-3 overall against the Bulldogs.
Vegas: Alabama is a 25.5-point favorite. The over/under is 52 points.
Weather: There’s a 30% chance of rain in Starkville, with winds likely to reach upwards of 11 miles per hour.
Three names to know
T.J. Yeldon (Alabama running back) - No, the Tide haven't forgotten about Yeldon. When the game's on the line, he's still the man. Watch the second half of the LSU game for evidence of that. Yeldon has 862 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year.
Dak Prescott (Mississippi State quarterback) - Nick Saban hates one type of quarterback above all else -- the running kind. Prescott, who leads his team with 722 yards rushing, certainly fits the bill. In a head-to-head duel with Johnny Football, he helped the Bulldogs come awfully close to winning, although his passing is still largely in development.
C.J. Mosley (Alabama linebacker) - Mosley will be one of the players keeping watch on Prescott, and with 71 tackles (7.0 for loss) on the year, it's hard to think he's not capable of it.
Two things at stake
Alabama cannot gain anything by winning, seeing as it’s the top team in the country. The Tide can lose a whole lot, though, so they’ll be on their guard.
Mississippi State needs two wins to qualify for a bowl, and getting one over the top-ranked team would certainly make that job easier.
How to witness
TV: 7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
Online streaming: WatchESPN. Xfinity subscribers can also watch here.
Further reading
If you need more Alabama in your life, hit up Roll ‘Bama Roll, where they’re talking about the LSU game and looking at Mississippi State’s defense.
For Whom the Cowbell Tolls has some thoughts following the near upset of A&M.
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