Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (15) tries to jump over Mississippi State offensive lineman Dillon Day (63) for yardage but is stopped by Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) and Jarran Reed (90) during their game on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The biggest game in Mississippi State football history turned into another day at the office for Alabama inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The Crimson Tide did not roll through No. 1 Mississippi State on a brisk afternoon but used a pair of Blake Sims scrambles and a pair of second-half interceptions to turn back the Bulldogs 25-20.
Alabama is sure to move up in the College Football Playoff rankings after being No. 5 last week, and the Crimson Tide can win the Southeastern Conference West Division title with a win over unraveling Auburn on Nov. 29.
“This was a big win,” Alabama junior receiver Amari Cooper said after catching eight passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. “We have to play each and every week like it’s the playoffs. If you lose, then you go home.”
Alabama improved to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in SEC play with its seventh consecutive victory over the Bulldogs under coach Nick Saban. Mississippi State fell to 9-1 and 5-1, losing for the first time in four games as the nation’s top-ranked team.