Alabama football’s secondary is expected to be tested again this weekend when the Crimson Tide host Will Rogers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Rogers currently leads the SEC in passing yards and passing touchdowns with 2,324 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Mississippi State quarterback has thrown the football more than 40 times in six of his last seven starts. Nick Saban believes Rogers knows the Bulldogs’ offense as well as Mississippi State’s coaches.
“Will Rogers had a great year last year,” Saban said. “He is having an outstanding year this year. They have got a lot of really difficult passing concepts to try and defend. They have got really good players. They understand what they are doing. He understands the offense as well as probably the coach and goes out there and executes it. He is very accurate with the ball. He makes quick decisions and judgments. So this is a very challenging offensive team, and I think it is very quarterback oriented. Him playing well, which he has done all year long, certainly enhances their opportunity to be successful.”
Alabama struggled to defend the pass against Tennessee last Saturday. The Volunteers’ starting quarterback Hendon Hooker threw for 385 yards and five touchdowns in Tennessee’s win over the Tide. Jalin Hyatt got behind Alabama’s offense throughout the game to make some explosive plays, which is something Saban believes the Tide must limit.
“Guys gotta play with better focus, better leverage, gotta be able to cover people better.” said Saban.”I mean, it is as simple as that. They are our players. We think they are good players. We think they are capable. They need to play with good technique and good focus on the little things that help you make those plays.”
Mike Leach’s offensive game plan is sure to present another challenge for Alabama.
“Mike Leach is one of the most difficult guys, offensively to try to defend relative to their offense,” said Saban. “Will Rogers does a great job of that. They are one of the leading passing teams in the country. They have got a good receiving corps. I think they are running the ball more effectively this year than maybe in years past.”
Alabama and Mississippi State will kick off their matchup at 6 p.m. CST in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
