The No. 1 team again in the BCS standings, the Alabama Crimson Tide, looks to keep things that way when they take on the upset-minded Mississippi State Bulldogs Saturday night in Tuscaloosa (8:30 pm ET, ESPN).

The Tide, which leads the West Division at 4-0 in league play, was an early 23-point favorite over the 'Dogs, who are 3-0 in SEC play, just a half-game back of 'Bama.



View Mississippi State vs Alabama Odds and Stats.

Betting Line: Fans backing the Crimson Tide here saw them open at Sportsbook as 24-point favorites in this college football clash. (Check back shortly for Sportsbook totals at sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark as none was available at the time this preview was written.)

Power Rankings / Prediction: The game pits the Crimson Tide, currently No. 1 in our OddsShark NCAAF Power Rankings, against the Bulldogs, who rate No. 17 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and handicapping models run on this game predict a 58-47 victory for the Crimson Tide.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Alabama's No. 14-ranked offense (41 PPG) against a Bulldogs defense that ranks No. 9 at 14.4 PPG. The Crimson Tide passing attack has averaged 220.1 yards per game, more than the Bulldogs give up through the air (188.6 YPG on average).

Defensively, the Bulldogs feature the league's No. 55-rated road run defense, allowing 153.5 yards per game. Alabama, meanwhile, ranks No. 57 in rushing offense at home.

Mississippi State was a 45-3 Sportsbook in its last match at home against Middle Tennessee. They covered the 18-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 48 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. LaDarius Perkins ran through the Middle Tennessee defense for 125 yards in Mississippi State's last game, handing the Blue Raiders a 45-3 setback on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.

Alabama won its last outing, a 44-13 result against Tennessee on October 20. Alabama covered in that game as a 20-point favorite, while the 57 combined points took the game OVER the total. AJ McCarron's 306-yard performance through the air was enough last time out, as Alabama earned a 44-13 win over Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.


Mississippi State Bulldogs Trends:
When playing in October are 8-2
When playing on grass are 9-1
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 5-5

Alabama Crimson Tide Trends:
When playing in October are 9-1
When playing on grass are 9-1
After outgaining opponent are 10-0
When playing within the conference are 9-1

A few Bulldogs at Crimson Tide trends to consider:
Mississippi State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Mississippi State's last 5 games when playing Alabama
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Mississippi State's last 6 games
Mississippi State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Alabama's last 5 games when playing Mississippi State
Alabama is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Mississippi State


Next up:
Mississippi State home to Texas A&M, Saturday, November 3
Alabama at LSU, Saturday, November 3