The Alabama Crimson Tide have received a nerve-wracking prediction for their game against Mississippi State.
The Alabama Crimson Tide are coming off of a dominant Week 4 win over South Carolina, which represented their most complete performance all season.
Now, Alabama is preparing for its most difficult test yet, as the Crimson Tide are heading on the road to battle the upstart Mississippi State Bulldogs this Saturday.
Like Alabama, Mississippi State is 4-0, and the Bulldogs are also fresh off of a very impressive victory, having topped Missouri last weekend.
Mississippi State boasts an explosive offense, and while its defense certainly isn't among the best, it has a pair of terrific cornerbacks in Kelley Jones and Jett Jefferson that could pose some problems for Keelon Russell and Co.
So, are the Crimson Tide on upset alert heading into Week 5?
ESPN's Bill Connelly predicted the final score of the matchup using his SP+ metrics, and while he does have Alabama coming out on top, he thinks it will be a nail-biter, projecting a 32-27 win for the Tide in Starkville.
A victory would absolutely comprise Alabama's most impressive of the campaign to date and would set Kalen DeBoer's squad up very nicely as it continues to proceed into the most challenging part of its schedule, which begins with the clash against the Bulldogs.
While the Crimson Tide are undefeated, things haven't necessarily been easy for them thus far.
Alabama took care of business without breaking a sweat against East Carolina in its season opener, but it trailed Kentucky 17-13 at halftime in Week 2 before dominating the second half. It also fell behind Florida State 21-6 in the first half the following week, but ultimately rallied for a 50-36 victory.
The Crimson Tide definitely avoided a slow start versus South Carolina last Saturday, taking a 35-3 lead at one point in a 49-18 triumph.
One thing is for sure: the version of Alabama that showed up in Weeks 2 and 3 absolutely cannot expect to waltz into Mississippi State and emerge with a victory.
The Bulldogs are a significantly better team than either Kentucky or South Carolina, and the Crimson Tide fall behind early, they could be in some serious trouble.
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor is one of the top Heisman Trophy candidates at the moment, and the Bulldogs also possess a terrific backfield led by Fluff Bothwell. Wide receiver Anthony Evans III has also been a fast riser, too.
Alabama cannot mess around this weekend.
