(Photo: Seatgeek)
Campus Clash
(7) Alabama Crimson Tide at (16) Mississippi State Bulldogs
Alabama (4-0):
I’m still trying to figure out who this team really is, and that’s what I’ve been attempting to do since Nick Saban called it a career. In the first year under Kalen DeBoer, they weren’t consistent, and they missed the College Football Playoff. Last season, they became the first three-loss team to make the CFP, got a win in the first round against the Oklahoma Sooners, and then got destroyed by the eventual champion Indiana Hoosiers in the second round. Before the season started, I remember saying that if they didn’t perform up to their normal standards, there was a possibility they may need to move on from Kalen and look for another head coach. But I’ve also given him the benefit of the doubt because I felt Kalen was still trying to find his footing, and those are big shoes to fill after following the greatest college football coach ever. So far, I’ve liked what I’ve seen from the Alabama Crimson Tide, and it’s been their offense leading the way. This has been such an explosive unit, and they have scored at least 45 points in each game so far, which is something they haven’t done since the 2018 season. I’ll admit to you, there have been times this year when I’ve questioned them. In two of their games, they had to pull away in the second half, which leads me to say it’s better to get off to a strong start because you might not have the opportunity to come back depending on who you play. Some teams can put you in a hole and keep you there. I want to talk about the quarterback, Keelon Russell, and how I’ve seen him grow in each game. He’s emerged as the centerpiece of the offense, and against South Carolina in Week 4, he had his best game to date, throwing four touchdown passes. On the other side, the defense is creating takeaways and getting off the field. This Saturday afternoon, they will make their way to Starkville for a conference showdown.
Mississippi State (4-0):
They’ve been one of the most interesting stories in the SEC so far. I know for a fact everyone has been critiquing their schedule because they haven’t played anyone in the upper-echelon realm, but at the end of the day, if you’re winning the football games you’re supposed to win, what’s the problem? I always find myself bringing this up either here on this site or on Monday Evening Quarterback, and that’s just how stacked the SEC is with Alabama, Georgia, Texas, LSU, Florida now entering that conversation, Ole Miss, and this program from Starkville. There have been a few things that have stood out to me about this team, and the first piece is the quarterback, Kamario Taylor. He’s tall, standing at 6’4″, with a big-time arm and athleticism combined, and he isn’t just a pocket passer. He’s able to make throws from a moving pocket and can attack a defense with either his arm or his mobility. Kamario is also explosive, and many of his touchdown passes have come on throws of 20-plus yards. He can carve a defense up from the pocket, so this tells me he’s as well-rounded as they come. What I enjoy about this Mississippi State team is the toughness they display in the fourth quarter. A perfect example of this is their last game against the Missouri Tigers, when they entered the fourth quarter trailing 24-17 and the Bulldogs answered with 14 unanswered points of their own. This is a team that wants more recognition. On Saturday, they will face their toughest task of the season when a seasoned and experienced Crimson Tide group from Tuscaloosa comes to Starkville.
Alabama X-Factor: Lotzeir Brooks
He’s the second receiving option next to, you guessed it, Ryan Coleman-Williams. Lotzeir is such an explosive receiver and serves as their big-play specialist, which was on full display against South Carolina in Week 4. He only caught two passes, but one of those went for a 75-yard touchdown. In other words, he doesn’t need many targets or catches to make an impact. One big play, and he’s able to make his presence felt. Against the Florida State Seminoles, Lotzeir caught eight passes for 101 yards and showed that he can function as a volume receiver. I love how dangerous he is after the catch. Watch Mississippi State tilt those safeties toward Ryan, and it’ll leave Lotzeir on an island.
Mississippi State X-Factor: Anthony Evans III
This is who has become Kamario’s favorite target, and he’s acted like he’s the No. 1 receiver on this depth chart. Anthony isn’t dependent on just making the big play, which means the Bulldogs are constantly feeding him the football instead of hoping he makes that high-volume play. On the year so far, Anthony is averaging 14.6 yards per reception, which means a few missed assignments can turn into a big play, additional yards, or even better, six points. Alabama will look to contain Taylor and limit the running of Fluff Bothwell, which will open the field up for Anthony.
Final Thoughts:
It’s the first Saturday of October, and the second full month of college football is set to begin. This is a big stretch for the Crimson Tide. They face these Mississippi State Bulldogs in Week 5, and next weekend in Tuscaloosa, they welcome Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs to town for a huge SEC showdown. This is such an intriguing quarterback matchup, with Keelon Russell in one corner and Kamario Taylor in the other. This will also be my first time really sitting down and watching these two quarterbacks battle it out. Alabama must dare Taylor to beat them from the pocket and not allow plays to break down, allowing him to buy any type of time. Get Keelon Russell going early, make him comfortable, and start quickly! No lapses! In other words: stop the run, contain Taylor, don’t lose Evans deep down the field, and force the Bulldogs to play from behind. For Mississippi State, get the running game going and throw Alabama’s defense off. Get Evans isolated and throw Russell off his spots. Don’t allow him time to throw or move. Keeping Alabama’s defense honest with the run will allow Taylor to attack that Crimson Tide secondary.
