Alabama has traditionally struggled out of the gate in the week followings its annual LSU slobbernocker. Recall the Crimson Tide returning home from Baton Rouge to immediately fall behind Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M 20-0 in the first quarter en route to a 29-24 loss.
It seems Nick Saban reminded his team of that fact, because Alabama has taken the fight to Mississippi State from snap one as the fifth-ranked Crimson Tide lead the top-ranked Bulldogs 19-3 at the half.
Alabama’s defense has teed off on the Mississippi State running game, and the one-two jab of Dak Prescott and Josh Robinson have combined for just 34 yards on 16 carries. Robinson was tackled for a safety to open the scoring with 7:49 to go in the first quarter. Prescott has completed 9-of-19 passes for 92 yards and an interception.
Blake Sims has been the usual version of himself that plays in the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium, hitting 12-of-16 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown, while Amari Cooper has hauled in six grabs for 67 yards and a score.
The key sequence of the half came with 5:32 remaining as Derrick Henry was hit and fumbled at the goal line, clearly recovered by Mississippi State, but it was turned into a touchdown upon review, pushing the lead to 19-0.
Mississippi State put together a nice drive following Henry’s touchdown, moving to the Alabama 1, but a false start pushed the Bulldogs back to the five and Prescott fired three straight incompletions from there, forcing the Bulldogs to settle for a field goal.
Mississippi State will receive the ball to open the second half.