Staff Predictions for Mississippi State vs Alabama

Alabama and Mississippi State will meet for the 102nd time on Saturday morning and the Crimson Tide is a 29-point favorite.

Not many people are giving the Bulldogs a chance but they seem to have built momentum over the past couple of weeks. Behind quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State has rolled up 1,243 yards and 91 points the past two games and that includes an upset win over then-No. 4 Texas A&M.

So, who do our staff think will win this SEC West matchup?

Martin Houston, Host of The Morning Blitz

Coming off of a tough, hard fought victory the Tide will go right back into another dogfight.  This Mississippi St. team is better than their record indicates. They are literally 3 plays from being 7-2. With that said, Alabama is a hungry team and I don't see a let down with this team. Jalen Hurts gets the confidence of his coach, team and the fans with his first career 300 yd game.  Look for 3, 13 & 88 to be big in this one! On another great defensive performance and a great game by #2 and company. Alabama 48, Mississippi State 6

Wimp Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room

Look for Bama to get early lead and cruise to easy victory. They will be conservative after the first half. Alabama 28, Mississippi State 7

Barry Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room

I believe Nick Saban is worried about focus with an 11am start. Bama will start slow but make a late run in second half. Alabama 38, Mississippi State 13

Gary Harris, Host of The Gary Harris Show

Mississippi State is coming off it's most impressive win of the season over Texas A&M, and the Bulldogs have momentum. MSU also has nothing to lose...other than the game. Dan Mullen is 0-7 against Nick Saban and Alabama. His record will be 0-8 after Saturday.  Alabama 38, Mississippi State 13

Travis Reier, Host of Southern Fried Sports

The Crimson Tide is on hangover alert this week, but its defense seems to play with the kind of nastiness that accompanies a three-day bender, anyway, so I'm not sure if we'll be able to tell much where that side of the ball is concerned. It's the offense that needs to get out of the blocks better and that's been the case all season long. Alabama 34, Mississippi State 10

Aaron Suttles, Host of The Suttles Approach

This might be a game in which Jalen Hurts tries to make some plays in the passing game. I expect another stout effort from the defense. Alabama 31, Mississippi State 6

Ryan Fowler, Host of The Game

Alabama needs to get back in rhythm on offense. Mississippi State is just the opponent to do that against with a defense that ranks 74th in CFB and passing defense that ranks 104th currently in passing defense. I think Jalen Hurts will have a solid day throwing the ball against the Bulldogs. Look for Alabama's defense to be dominant again. Alabama 42, Mississippi State 10

Ben George, Digital Managing Editor

Sure, Mississippi State's offense has lit up the scoreboard against Samford and Texas A&M the past two weeks, but there's no chance of that happening for a third straight week. The Bulldogs will move the ball a little, but they'll be hard-pressed to score more than 14 points on Saturday. On the other side of the ball, Mississippi State has given up fewer than four touchdowns in a game since week three of the season. Alabama 45, Mississippi State 13

James Hardy, Producer

LSU's defense gave Jalen Hurts issues until the 4th quarter, but Mississippi State's defense will not pose as many challenges to Hurts this week. Regardless of the early kickoff, Alabama will use its stingy defense and overall athleticism to pull away from the Bulldogs in the 2nd half. Alabama 38, Mississippi State 14

Thomas Paradiso, Producer

Prediction starts here: There are two main points of concern here for me. The first is Jalen Hurts and his turnover issues. With both an interception and a fumble during last week's game at LSU, he's got to be able to take care of the ball. The second point of concern is Alabama's mindset going into this game. With Mississippi State upsetting Texas A&M this past week, They could have the "Why not us?" mindset coming into Bryant-Denny. Alabama must avoid taking the Bulldogs lightly. But I have faith that Bama takes care of Miss St. Alabama 38, Mississippi State 10