Alabama football leads Mississippi State 28-17 at the half, and here’s what the Crimson Tide need to do to pull away from the Bulldogs:
Take care of the football
If Alabama is going to close out this game against Mississippi State with a win, the offense will have to play clean football in the second half. Mississippi State is in this ball game because of a critical fumble by running back Daniel Hill deep inside Alabama’s own territory. The Bulldog scored immediately after the fumble recovery.
Before that, Dijon Lee Jr. muffed a punt and could not beat the Bulldogs to the ball. The turnover did not hurt Alabama in the long haul because Zabien Brown went and got the football back by jumping on a Mississippi State fumble, but then, the fumble by Hill set up the Bulldogs’ second touchdown of the game.
Keep getting after Kamario Taylor
Taylor is talented, and he has found open guys in the passing game thus far. Two of the turnovers by Mississippi State were fumbles, and the other was a pick. Taylor was pressured pretty hard in the first quarter, but it looked like the offense somewhat settled in and was able to get things going after a disastrous start.
Alabama has sacked Taylor three times today. He’s been hurried twice, and his fumble on the opening drive led to an Alabama score.
If the Crimson Tide continue to put the pressure on him, more turnovers could be on the way.
Protect Keelon Russell
The Crimson Tide have allowed quarterback Keelon Russell to be sacked three times. A couple of stunts by the Bulldogs have thrown off the Crimson Tide’s interior offensive linemen, but Alabama tightened up late in the second quarter.
Russell has thrown a few beautiful passes today, and his playmakers are making big plays. Protecting Russell will be a top priority for the Crimson Tide.
Stick with freshmen running back Trae’shawn Brown in second halfÂ
Alabama should consider running the football with Trae’shawn Brown if the team wants to run the ball. Two fumbles from one player [Daniel Hill] in one half is too much especially when it’s a tight game heading into halftime.
Today, Brown has led Alabama in rushing. He turned his nine carries into 50 yards of rushing and a touchdown.
EJ Crowell and AK Dear are also available to be used in this game.
Play clean football
The turnovers have already been addressed within this article, but the penalties have not been addressed. Alabama picked up two pass interference penalties in a row in the red zone, and the Bulldogs capitalized with a field goal before the half ended.
The Crimson Tide will need to play clean football if they want to pull away after halftime.
