Perhaps the rivalry is not recognized so much by the national media because of the overwhelming Alabama dominance. The record is 85-18-3 in favor of the Tide. But don\u2019t try to tell that to either fan base. In his Monday press conference, Alabama head coach Nick Saban<\/strong> said this about the upcoming game. \u201cThis is actually a bigger challenge for us than the last two games, in my opinion, because this team is very physical, very aggressive on defense,\u201d said Saban. \u201cThey create a lot of negative plays, they got a lot of starters back, they know their system, they know their scheme,\u201d said Saban. \u201cZach Arnett, his system, he\u2019s a very good defensive coach.\u201d<\/p>\n Not to dispute the GOAT of football coaches, but Mississippi State has allowed 78 points in the last two conference games. They were blown out 41-14 against LSU. The final score against South Carolina last weekend was closer, but defensive shortcomings were still on display. They lost it 37-30.<\/p>\n Alabama has finally decided on their starting quarterback, Jalen Milroe<\/a>. State fans were quite happy with his performance against Ole Miss. Milroe struggled in the first half, but finally got his groove on in the second, outscoring the Rebels 18-3. They beat the team north of Starkville 24-10.<\/p>\n One key to a Bulldogs’ win against the Tide, is to significantly improve the pass defense \u00a0That has been lacking in the two conference games so far. LSU\u2019s Jayden Daniels<\/a> went 30 of 34 (88.2%) for 361 yards. South Carolina\u2019s Spencer Rattler<\/a> was 18 for 20 (90%) for 288 yards. That cannot continue if the Bulldogs want to win against the Tide.<\/p>\n In a Monday press conference, defensive coordinator Matt Brock<\/strong> talked about Milroe and what the defense needs to do. \u201cYou can\u2019t win games when defensively you allow people to have that completion percentage,\u201d Brock said. \u201cWhen you give up a big play, naturally guys will sometimes play off a little more, so we have to have confidence in our abilities and play it tighter.\u201d<\/p>\n Similar to Rattler\u2019s ability to make the big plays, Milroe did that against Ole Miss. \u201cThey are physical up front,\u201d Brock said. \u201cThe quarterback, they play to his strengths. I think he throws a good deep ball. I think they have done a nice job of tailoring it to what he does well, so we got to do a good job of trying to rectify the things we just talked about and adapt to what they are trying to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Last week against South Carolina, offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay<\/strong> changed his viewpoint for calling the game. He moved from the sideline to the booth. Considering their lackluster display against LSU, something had to change. Whatever it was, quarterback Will Rogers<\/a> went for a career-high 487 yards in passing. Barbay commented on the change in his Monday press conference. \u201cSo, I\u2019ve done both. I\u2019ve called most of the games from the field, I\u2019ve called some from the box,\u201d Barbay said. \u201cI\u2019m an emotional guy and I get excited on the sideline. I think removing myself a little bit from that emotion and sitting up top helped me see the game a little bit better.\u201d He\u2019ll continue from the booth this weekend.<\/p>\n Rogers will need his ace receiver Tulu Griffin<\/a> for a chance to take the Tide. Griffin got 256 yards last week, breaking a team record for most receiving yards in a game.<\/p>\n Woody Marks<\/a> didn\u2019t have his usual outstanding game, nor the running game in general. Marks was a little banged up in the last two games. Barbay says he is such a tough guy, that it\u2019s hard to know when he\u2019s hurt or not. \u201cJust like every other position group, in the running back room we\u2019re deep enough that we need to be able to give Woody some rest or some spells and rotate some of those guys,\u201d Barbay said. \u201cAnd I feel confident in everybody in our running back room.\u201d<\/p>\nAre You Sure About That Defense Coach?<\/h3>\n
Barbay\u2019s Offense \u2013 A Bird\u2019s Eye View<\/h3>\n
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