First things first, I acknowledge that I do tend to panic about potential trap games. In 2012, I needed Poppa Bear to talk me off the ledge because I was so nervous about Alabama losing to Missouri. Breaking news: the Tide ran the Tigers out of the stadium that day. Yeah, the later the season goes on, the more likely I am to get nervous about a game. Folks, I’m anxious as all get out about Saturday’s Alabama-Mississippi State showdown.
I know, it’s sacrilege at this point. Las Vegas has the Tide at around a 14-point favorite. By all accounts, this should be a relatively easy win, right? So, why am I concerned?
Well, namely, because I don’t think this team has been playing like the championship team it was expected to be. They only have one real quality win this season and that came last week against LSU. Otherwise, you’re looking at victories over middling Texas A&M and struggling Florida State. Or, those Mountain West opponents. I’m still concerned that we haven’t seen the Tide truly tested and that could allow for an upset like this.
Second, the Tide sustained some major injuries against LSU. At this point, it’s looking like Minkah Fitzpatrick is a go, but we’ll have to wait and see. Considering he’s one of the leaders of that vaunted defense, and a guy I think should get more attention in the Heisman race. If he’s not able to play, it would undoubtedly be a huge loss.
The linebacking corps took a major blow when Shaun Dion Hamilton went down with an injury on Saturday. He’s out for the season. Mack Wilson is down, and suddenly it looks like we’re going to see a few inexperienced players in the rotation. That could allow the Bulldogs to run the ball a little better than expected, but even this isn’t the key ingredient to Alabama. That would be Nick Fitzgerald.
You look back at the teams that have given Alabama fits under Nick Saban and there’s a bit of a common thread. The book on beating ‘Bama says you need a mobile quarterback. That’s Saban’s kryptonite, right?
Well, Fitzgerald is that mobile quarterback. Now, let’s not hold him in the same regard as Deshaun Watson. Fitzgerald isn’t having that great of a season as a passer. 13 touchdowns to 10 interceptions doesn’t wow anyone. But, on the ground, Fitzgerald has 801 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Mississippi State has been consistently extreme. In their seven wins, they’re averaging 41.7 points per game. In their two losses (to Georgia and Auburn, mind you), they’re averaging 6.5. I’m not going to be too hard on the Bulldogs for those two losses, either. Those are two of the three best teams in the SEC. They absolutely dominated a good LSU team, and eviscerated solid Kentucky and Texas A&M teams. So, the Bulldogs are a very respectable 7-2.
So respectable that I truly think this is one of those weird weekends when a lot of factors could combine for an upset.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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