Yes, Alabama is overrated, but only one team is better

Whether by sneaky design or poetic serendipity, Mississippi State's end zone videoboard was the first thing Alabama's players saw here in Starkville when they jogged onto the field before Saturday's game.

On the screen was a live feed of Auburn's beat down of Georgia. At the time, the score was Auburn 30, Georgia 10.

Whether Mississippi State's video crew planned the timing or not, the in-game update from Auburn could not be ignored. Before they kicked off against Mississippi State, Alabama's players already knew their chief rival was beating the 'W' out of the 'Dawgs. Before kickoff in this cowbell hell, Alabama was, quite literally, already staring ahead to the team it plays in a couple weeks.

And, man, did it show in this thrilling 31-24 victory against Mississippi State.

Soft and vulnerable in the middle of field without its best linebackers, Alabama took it in the gut again and again and again. And that was in the first half. By the third quarter, Alabama had the look of a punchdrunk heavyweight champ leaning hard on the ropes.

But Alabama is Alabama for a reason. It doesn't lose to the Mississippi State's of the world.

When it needed to make a stop, Alabama's defense slammed Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald to the ground for a sack on third and long. With his offense facing fourth-and-everything -- an undefeated season, the No.1-ranking and perhaps his own trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony -- Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts tucked the ball into the crook of his arm and rushed for a first down.

Two plays later, Alabama running back Damien Harris rushed for a 14-yard score to tie the game with 9:49 left. It set the stage for Alabama's most exciting victory since last season's come from behind against Ole Miss.

"I'd rather play in a game like this," said cornerback Anthony Averett. "You can't kill everybody."

The game appeared to be going into overtime, but Alabama didn't want any part of that. Alabama's final drive started with 1:09 left and about 40 yards to field-goal range. After just watching the kicker clang one off the upright, Hurts didn't want to leave anything to chance. Alabama's quarterback found Clavin Ridley for two long gains and then hit DeVonta Smith for a 26-yard score.

There was 25 seconds left when Smith scored, and Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald somehow still managed two Hail Marys into the end zone at the buzzer.

"It was like a championship game," said receiver Calvin Ridley, who had five receptions for 171 yards and played masterful football from beginning to end. "Those are the games I like to be in -- tough, and they bring the best out of me, and all of us. We just played some good ball at the end."

Alabama is tested so infrequently that when it actually happens it feels like some kind of brush with death. Alabama coach Nick Saban had a different perspective in his postgame news conference. He praised his defense for getting stops when it needed it, and reminded anyone who would listen that games like these bring a team together in a way a 45-point blowout cannot.

"I think sometimes you need hard," Saban said.

For the first time in 38 games, Alabama didn't force a turnover.

For the first time since Saban has been at Alabama, his defense allowed three rushing touchdowns.

"I can't be more proud of the players for the way they competed during the game," Saban said. "This is a great team win for us. They are very excited and happy.

"Sometimes if you win a game like this, it does a lot for everybody coming together."

And dancing together.

On their way to the team bus, that's exactly what Bo Scarbrough, Hootie Jones and Ronnie Harrison did. For a team that so rarely show emotions, it was a refreshing sight -- just kids having fun after a football game.

And now the Iron Bowl, and what a glorious spectacle it will be. With both teams playing FCS opponents next week, the game's buildup begins now. Since sportswriters first started ranking teams in 1936, Alabama and Auburn have played as Top 10 teams seven times: 1963, 1971, 1972, 1994, 2010, 2013 and now. Surprisingly, Auburn holds the advantage when both teams are ranked in the Top 10. The Tigers are 4-2.

With Georgia losing to Auburn, Alabama is now expected to be the No.1 team in the College Football Playoff rankings. With so many injuries, Alabama might be overrated at this point in the season, but the Crimson Tide is still the best team in the country.

The only team better than Alabama right now is that Alabama team you remember from last season. So, in that sense, yes, Alabama's hype doesn't quite match its current form. Don't kid yourselves, though. Alabama is still going to be favored in every game it plays this season, and that includes the game two days after Thanksgiving.

Joseph Goodman is a columnist for Alabama Media Group. He's on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.

Let's block ads! (Why?)