Mississippi State at Alabama
KICKOFF: Saturday, 7:45 ET
SERIES: Alabama leads 71-18-3
2008 RANKINGS: Bulldogs: offense 106th (10th SEC), pass 91st (7th), run 100th (10th), defense 19th (5th), pass 2nd (1st), run 67th (11th); Crimson Tide: offense 59th (5th SEC), pass 100th (10th), run 23rd (2nd), defense 4th (2nd), pass 31st (6th), run 4th (1st)
POLLS: Alabama (1st AP, 1st coaches)
PREDICTION: Alabama 20-17
KEYS TO THE GAME: With the SEC West clinched and the Tide in the driver's seat for a spot in the BCS Championship Game, all Alabama has to do is win ... which may be easier said than done. State has won the last two meetings against the Tide. State has a big offensive line, loves to run the ball, and is only a pair of one-point losses away from being second in the SEC West. Coach Sylvester Croom understands that, as tailback Anthony Dixon goes, so goes the State offense. He has two 100-yard games this season, and both came in wins. And State's last two wins over Alabama have come off potent rushing attacks. That just might be a cause for concern for the Tide, which might be showing cracks in the armor. Since the open week, opponents are averaging 121.5 rushing yards per game. This week could fall right in line with those figures.
FAST FACTS: Bulldogs — With a victory, Sylvester Croom can become the first head coach in school history to win three games against Alabama within his first five seasons on the job ... MSU is 3-0 under Croom when facing a ranked opponent following an open week ... The secondary is allowing just 153.2 yards per game, which ranks second in the nation. Crimson Tide — Alabama coach Nick Saban has already reached two bonuses in his contract: $75,000 for making the SEC Championship Game, and $65,000 for reaching a bowl game ... Alabama will play in the SEC title game for the first time since 1999 ... The Tide is 11-2 under Saban when holding opponents to less than 100 yards rushing.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Bulldogs
RB/FB Arnil Stallworth — Caught a career-high eight passes for 71 yards and a touchdown in State's last game, a 14-13 loss to Kentucky. An Alabama fan growing up, he has emerged as a playmaker for State's offense.
WR Brandon McRae — Has caught a team-best 43 passes, continuing his emergence from a two-catch season in 2007. He's been, seemingly, State's only big-play threat at receiver. MSU will need him to make big plays Saturday.
PK Adam Carlson — Missed a 27-yard field goal and had an extra point blocked in a one-point loss last week. If State needs him Saturday in Tuscaloosa, how will he respond?
Crimson Tide
S Rashad Johnson — Has five interceptions in his last four games (three vs. LSU), and all five have led to touchdowns: Johnson has returned two for scores, while the offense took advantage of the field position to score touchdowns on the other three.
WR Julio Jones — Had seven receptions for 128 yards against LSU, and has become the top target in the passing game for Alabama.
LT Andre Smith — Continues to prove himself as one of the nation's top left tackles. The junior is has not made it official, but when he seems a sure bet to be a first-round draft pick this spring by the NFL, there is no reason for him to return to his senior year.
INJURY WATCH:
Bulldogs
None
Crimson Tide
TB Roy Upchurch is "questionable" after suffering neck spasms while warming up for the LSU game. Saban would only say Monday that Upchurch "is having problems we still need to evaluate.
WR Earl Alexander dislocated a shoulder against LSU, and is also questionable for Saturday.
Deeper look at Week 12's key games
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