It has improved its level of play in the last two weeks, but Alabama’s offensive line will have its biggest challenge today as it returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time in a month.
Coach Brent Key and the men upfront take on a Mississippi State program that’s littered with talent along its defensive line. While its matchup against Louisiana State University did not possess the studs on that side of the football like it usually does, the Bulldogs have Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons among others that look to limit the flow of Alabama’s offense.
Sweat leads the team in sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (12), while Simmons has 9.5 tackles for loss with five quarterback pressures. Mississippi State is one of the nation’s top teams in scoring defense, allowing 12.3 points per game. After challenging Key and the offensive line on last week, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine was on In My Own Words to set this group up for its meeting with the Bulldogs.
For Nick Saban, the Alabama head coach is pursuing 10 wins for the 11th time in his run at Tuscaloosa.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
