The path to the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff is all laid out for the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-1, 5-1 in the SEC), who are third in the AP Poll and second in the College Football Playoff rankings. That path is: Win out. Ole Miss' loss and the Tide's dominant win over LSU put the SEC West firmly in Alabama's hands, so long as they don't slip up against Mississippi State or Auburn.
How to watch Alabama vs. Mississippi State on TV or online, plus 3 things to know
Alabama’s march to the College Football Playoff continues to Starkvegas.
Up first, the 17th-ranked Bulldogs (7-2, 3-2 in conference) in Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, surrounded by all those clangin’ cowbells. Quarterback Dak Prescott has thrown just one interception in 300 pass attempts this season and ranks 21st in the country in passer rating. He’s the best quarterback Alabama will see before the playoffs, so if there’s a team that has a shot to take down the Tide remaining on this schedule, it’s Mississippi State.
Still, the Tide bring that dominant defense and current Heisman Trophy front-runner Derrick Henry to town. The State defense can be stout and make some plays, but they've been vulnerable to the run in losses to LSU and Texas A&M, so it's hard to imagine them containing the 245-pound Henry.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS. Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson on the call.
Radio: Alabama, Mississippi State
Online streaming: CBS Sports.com
Spread: Alabama favored by 7 points.
Make friends: Bulldogs fans can talk about the matchup over at For Whom the Cowbell Tolls, while Tide fans can do the same at Roll Bama Roll.
Three big things to know
1. Bear Force One
Mississippi State's 6'5 wide receiver De'Runnya Wilson has been finding his stride for the Bulldogs, and Alabama's cornerbacks have been vulnerable down the field when they're isolated one-on-one. A couple of Prescott-to-Wilson big plays could help create more space for the running game.
2. Front Seven Face-Off
Alabama's amazing defensive front seven has rightfully received a ton of accolades for shutting down Leonard Fournette last week, but Mississippi State's front seven is no slouch either. They average eight tackles for loss per game with defensive linemen A.J. Jefferson, Ryan Brown and Chris Jones and linebackers Richie Brown and Beniquez Brown. Both offenses could struggle between the tackles.
The Crimson Tide’s star nose tackle will be in the spotlight once more against Prescott, who is at his best as a runner going north and south inside. Stopping that is what Robinson does best. Also, he can do things like this.
See More:
