LSU Tigers

Top-ranked Alabama aims to extend win streak vs. No. 4 LSU

Published Nov. 8, 2018 3:12 p.m. ET

No. 18 Mississippi State (6-3, 2-3 SEC, No. 16 CFP) at No. 1 Alabama (9-0, 6-0 SEC, No. 1 CFP), 3:30 p.m. EST (CBS)

Line: Alabama by 24½.

Series record: Alabama leads 81-18-3.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Alabama has already locked up a spot in the SEC championship game against No. 5 Georgia and wants to keep chasing a perfect season. The Bulldogs are seeking their third straight win and a better bowl landing spot.

KEY MATCHUP

Alabama's offensive line versus Mississippi State's defensive front. The Crimson Tide has allowed a league-low six sacks behind a line led by tackles Jonah Williams and Jedrick Wills Jr. and center Ross Pierschbacher. DLs Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons have helped the Bulldogs rack up 23 sacks.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mississippi St: Sweat and Simmons are keys in limiting QB Tua Tagovailoa's time in the pocket and containing a running game that produced 281 yards in the LSU game.

Alabama: DL Quinnen Williams is coming off a huge game against LSU. He'll be a big part of the effort to slow down a Mississippi State running game that ranks second in the SEC, led by QB Nick Fitzgerald.

FACTS & FIGURES

Alabama has won 10 straight against Mississippi State but the Bulldogs kept it close last season, 31-24. The Tide won 51-3 two years ago at Bryant-Denny Stadium. ... This is Mississippi State's fourth consecutive SEC game against a top-20 team and second straight on the road. ... Mississippi State has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the FBS (nine) and ranks second in scoring defense (12.3 points per game). That includes two touchdowns in the opponents' last 51 possessions dating back to the third quarter against Florida. ... The Tide has won 23 consecutive games at home and could match the school record set from 1971-74 at Legion Field and Bryant-Denny.