Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-0 SU, 4-2 ATS) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0 SU,4-3 ATS)
College Football Week 9
Date and Time: Saturday October 27, 2012, 8:30PM EST
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
TV: ESPN
by Bob, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: MSU +24/ALA -24
Over/Under Total: OFF
Down south everyone is talking about the huge battle between the Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators, but let’s certainly not overlook what could end up being an even bigger game for the landscape of the BCS: The Mississippi State Bulldogs versus Alabama Crimson Tide. That’s right, the “other” bulldogs are traveling to Tuscaloosa to attempt to knock off the defending national champions and current top ranked team in the country. Not only would a win by Miss. State shock the college football world, but it would put them in the driver’s seat to win the SEC West and earn a trip to Atlanta in the conference title game. Both teams come in at 7-0 overall but shockingly enough, MSU has a better record against the spread. Alabama has won four straight in this series but the bulldogs are coming in with lots of momentum and more confidence than ever before. This will be a fun game for you college football junkies. Let’s take a look at our two contestants!
Alabama has won two of the last four national titles and is on a run to try and do it yet again. The Tide hasn’t been tested in any of their contests yet but they really haven’t played anyone with the exception of Michigan in the opening week of the season. Other than the Wolverines, Alabama hasn’t faced a team ranked in the top 50, let alone in the top 25. I am certainly not taking anything away from the Tide because they are the champs until someone knocks them off, but this Saturday could be their toughest challenge yet this season. ‘Bama prides themselves on defense, and deservedly so, coming into this weekend they are only allowing their opponents to score 8 points a game. Yes, through 7 games, Alabama is allowing just 8 points a game. Oh, guess what, that ranks number one in the land in case you wondered. Obviously, the Crimson Tide has defense, but their offense is no slouch either. They have a top 15 scoring offense along with the 21st rated rushing offense (219.4 per game). This team is solid. I challenge anyone to point out one weakness.waiting didn’t think so.
The ‘Dawgs! No, not the ones from Athens, Georgia, the ones from Starkville, are sitting at 7-0 and ranked 11th in the most recent BCS rankings. With two other top 10 matchups going on, a win for Mississippi State could possibly boost them all the way into the top 5 of next week’s BCS Standings. If you had told me before the season started that MSU would be battling for a top 10 ranking with just a few weeks left in the season, I would have said you were insane. Well, here we are, and the bulldogs have put themselves in a position to do great things. Other than the winning tradition and Alabama being the defending champ, these two teams have a lot in common. Just like Alabama, MSU hasn’t really played a quality opponent and they again like Alabama, are winning because of their defense. The Bulldogs are allowing just 14 points per contest (9th in the nation) and they are scoring right at 37 a game. Mississippi State would like this game to stay low scoring and be within striking distance with a quarter to go. Alabama for over the last year has had pretty much every game they played put away by the middle of the third quarter. The ‘Dogs would like to see how the Tide reacts when defeat is staring them in the face. Will we get to see a game this Saturday where Bama has to dig deep late in the 4th quarter? For entertainment sake, one can only hope.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Get a load of some of these stats! Mississippi State is on a 4-0 run ATS in the SEC, they are 7-3 ATS following a straight up win, 5-1 ATS against teams with a winning record, and 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games played on grass. How in the heck are they underdogs by 24?! Oh, and for Alabama playing against the spread, they are only 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games played at home. Public perception did us all a huge service this weekend by getting Bama to give up so many points. I like Mississippi State here. They probably will not win the game, but I will take 24 points all day long!
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