Five Thoughts: Alabama Crimson Tide 31, Mississippi State Bulldogs 6

Prescott led the offense to the Alabama 7-yard line, but a false start pushed the ball back five yards, and Alabama’s defense converged on second and third down for sacks eight and nine of the game. In fact, the Alabama opponent with the next number of meetings (Vanderbilt at 83 meetings) has defended the Tide better, and scored more points in the process, than has Mississippi State.

Both of his touchdown runs were longer than 60 yards, and Henry has accomplished the necessary feat of shining during Alabama’s biggest games, which is the most important factor in a Heisman campaign.

The Crimson Tide (9-1, 6-1 SEC) dominated the Bulldogs (7-3, 3-3 SEC) 31-6 Saturday in front of 62,435 fans, the second-largest crowd in Davis-Wade Stadium history. All-time, over 99 meetings, Alabama averages over 22 PPG against State, scoring 2226 points. The Bulldogs picked up the first down, but Alabama hit the quarterback two more times in the backfield to end the opening possession. The team overall had 127 yards rushing, 36 carries, no touchdowns. Alabama got one good look at a punt return, and they capitalized.

Derrick Henry returned to form late in the second quarter with a 74-yard touchdown run. Sophomore quarterback Treon Harris passed for 256 yards and one touchdown while being intercepted twice and junior running back Kelvin Taylor rushed for 105 yards and one touchdown. “It’s how we need to play, and I really liked the way we played today”.

Kamara added a 15-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter and the Vols’ defense did the rest, limiting the Mean Green to 199 total yards.

The Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 last season when they lost 25-20 to the Tide at Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama’s kicker Peter Kim nailed a 49-yarder in the second quarter to give the Tide their only score of the day. The next one went 74 yards untouched, with the usual breathtaking speed for a 242-pound tailback.

Bolton’s 19 points were a game-high as well as a career-high.

Alabama women’s basketball won its season opener on November 13, cruising to a 96-44 win over Alabama A&M. Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs completed 15 of 23 passes for 136 yards. However, he only managed 14 yards. Fred Ross has 51 catches for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns. “So each week, we always just remember that we have to get to the quarterback”. I think this will be another close game for the Tide, but they escape with a win in a low scoring game.

On using the pass rush: “We thought the one thing that might be in our favor in this game was our defensive line against their offensive line”.

A fourth-and-goal at the 1 was stuffed when Prescott ran into Alabama’s defensive line and a 50-yard field goal try fell several yards short.