Dak Prescott leads top-ranked Mississippi State against No. 5 Alabama today. (Getty)
Normally when Mississippi State and Alabama play a football game, it isn’t must-see TV. Usually the Crimson Tide is ranked highly and the Bulldogs are not. Alabama has won 6 straight meetings, including 11 of the past 13.
This season, things are a little different.
When Mississippi State plays at Alabama today, it will be doing so as the No. 1 team in the nation. The Bulldogs are coming off a 45-16 win over UT Martin, improving their record to 9-0, the first time in school history the team has hit that mark. Quarterback Dak Prescott is a Heisman Trophy candidate, accounting for 29 total touchdowns (18 passing) and leading the Bulldogs to 522 yards per game, tops in the Southeastern Conference and sixth in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Alabama (8-1) picked up a thrilling win last week, defeating LSU 20-13 in overtime. Star running back TJ Yeldon sprained his ankle in the game, but practiced most of the week and is expected to play, according to head coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide has a Heisman hopeful of their own in wide receiver Amari Cooper. Cooper leads the SEC in receptions (79), receiving yards (1,215) and touchdowns (10).
It’s not common for the No. 1 team in the country to be more than a touchdown underdog, but that’s the case Saturday, with Bovada listing Alabama as a 9-point favorite.
The game can be seen on CBS at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. Verne Lundquist will handle the play-by-play with Gary Danielson as the analyst. Allie LaForce will be the sideline reporter.
You can follow this post for live updates throughout the game.