The 104th edition of the “90 Mile Drive,” as the rivalry between the University of Alabama and Mississippi State University is sometimes called, will take place this Saturday in Starkville, Mississippi. This is a series that the Crimson Tide has absolutely dominated, winning 81 of the 103 meetings (with the Bulldogs winning 18 times, and three games ending in ties), including the last eleven in a row. Interestingly, of those 18 wins for Mississippi State, eight of them have occurred at Alabama — but the two teams are not playing at Bryant-Denny Stadium this week, and Alabama has redemption on their mind after losing to LSU, 46-41, last week to put their College Football Playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. Can the Bulldogs hold on to cover? Or will this turn into another Alabama rout? Don’t miss our sports betting preview of this classic SEC West rivalry game.
Alabama vs Mississippi State 2019 College Football Week 12 Odds & Pick
Back 📍HOME on Saturday!#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/P0a22fRST2
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) November 11, 2019
- When: Saturday, November 16, 2019, 12:00 pm ET
- Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network / Mississippi State Bulldog Sports Network
- Live Stream: ESPN+
- College Football Week 12 Odds: Alabama -21 / O/U 62.5
Why should you bet on the Crimson Tide?
It isn’t like losing to LSU sent Alabama crashing out of the top ten. The Tide are ranked third in the nation despite that 8-1 record. In that loss to the Tigers, Alabama fell behind early, as the Tigers went to the locker room at halftime up 33-13. Then the Tide started to mount a comeback, but after going scoreless in the third quarter, LSU put up 13 points in the last quarter to salt away the win.
In that loss, Tua Tagovailoa did not look like himself when he had to throw on the run, as the surgery that he had on his ankle did not seem to have provided a full range of motion — at least not yet. He went just 21 for 40 for 418 yards, with four scores and a crucial pick early in the game. He also fumbled deep in his own end of the field in the early going, one of three key mistakes that helped LSU jump out to a big start. If you like Alabama to cover in this game, you see them getting out to a crisp start, taking the game to the Bulldogs from the opening possession.
Why should you put your money on the Bulldogs?
Mississippi State comes into this game off their bye week. Two weeks ago, they walloped the Arkansas Razorbacks, 54-24, ending a four-game skid. Bear in mind, though, that Arkansas followed that up with a 26-point loss at home to Western Kentucky, bringing coach Chad Morris’ stint in Fayetteville to an end. Tailback Kylin Hill led the way for Mississippi State, pounding the ball for 234 yards and three scores. On the day, Mississippi State gained 640 yards of offense with just a single turnover, rolling to a 38-0 halftime lead.
It is safe to say that the Bulldogs will not have as easy a time moving the ball against Alabama. Mississippi State has covered nine times in their last 12 games at Davis Wade Stadium, but they have only covered once in their last five SEC contests. If you like Mississippi State, you see the Crimson Tide coming out uncharacteristically sloppy and playing without a lot of energy. It is true that Alabama has not had to deal with much adversity during the Nick Saban era, but it would be hard to imagine the Tide not righting the ship quickly and heading to a big win here.
Final Score Prediction
I did not pick LSU to cover in last week’s game against Alabama, and I learned a painful lesson about LSU’s offense — as did the rest of the nation. However, I still have faith in the mental discipline that Alabama brings to preparation each week, and so I see them making this game a painful one for the Bulldogs. I predict a final score of Alabama 44, Mississippi State 6.
