Crimson Tide report: Strategy and personnel
LOOKING GOOD
Alabama is at its best when it runs the ball and stops the run, and the Crimson Tide continued to do that against Mississippi State, rushing for 260 yards and holding the Bulldogs to 126 rushing yards.
STILL NEEDS SOME WORK
The Tide was fortunate to overcome three turnovers, especially since the defense forced only one.
ROSTER REPORT
Injuries have been a problem all season for Alabama, and that didn't change against Mississippi State. However, this time the Tide played through it. "To me, this game was special for a couple of reasons," Shula said. "One, we had some guys nicked up who got hurt during the course of the game and still fought their way through it. Some other guys came in who maybe didn't even think they were going to play that much." ... OT Wesley Britt left the game in the first quarter with a high foot sprain. Britt missed the final four plays of a touchdown drive, but returned on Alabama's next series. ... SS Charlie Peprah's hamstring continues to be tender and he spent most of the game on the bench, so Roman Harper moved from free to strong safety and Carlos Andrews replaced Peprah at free safety. ...
David Cavan started at tight end for Clint Johnston, who continues to experience problems from the concussion he suffered at Kentucky on Oct. 9. Cavan caught his first pass of the season in the first quarter before limping off the field in the second quarter with an injury to his right leg. He returned briefly before missing the rest of the game. That forced the Tide to turn to freshman Trent Davidson, who saw his most significant playing time. ... Special teams standout Marcel Stamps left the game with a leg injury and did not return. ...
Center JB Closner suffered an injury to his right arm in the third quarter. He returned for a brief period before leaving the game for good. ... DT Anthony Bryant also left the game with a leg injury in the third quarter. ... Fullback Le'Ron McClain made his first start in place of injured starter Tim Castille.
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