Last week at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the second half against Ole Miss felt — for the first time, in a very long time — like Crimson Tide football fans have become accustomed to.
An out-muscling of an inferior opponent where Alabama ran the ball successfully and played phenomenal defense. And last week we said, maybe Alabama has found an identity.
That identity continued into Starkville late Saturday night with a dominant 40-17 road win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Perhaps the thing that most displayed that identity is the fact that Jalen Milroe only threw 12 passes total (he completed 10 of them for 164 yards). Milroe was also Alabama’s leading rusher carrying 11 times for 69 yards and two touchdowns including an electric 53-yard score that was the game’s opening touchdown:
HOUSE CALL! 🏠📞@JalenMilroe
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/WkzCmVgPTR
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) October 1, 2023
The Crimson Tide displayed their superiority over the Bulldogs by way of a Chris Braswell pick six right after that which would put Alabama up 14-0.
It never really felt close for Alabama on Saturday night. It was the kind of performance that felt like a turning back of the clock for the Crimson Tide where they go on the road and just completely squeeze the life out of a team they are much better than.
Will Reichard was phenomenal too, nailing all four of his field goals and remaining perfect on the season.
But perhaps the most impressive performance of the night belongs to Jihaad Campbell. In the absence of Deontae Lawson, who has established himself as a star already this season, Campbell stepped up with 14 tackles, 1 for a loss, as well as his first career interception.
The Crimson Tide motto under Nick Saban has always been “next man up” and Saturday was no different. Lawson may remain out for multiple weeks with that ankle injury he suffered last week, so it is worth keeping an eye on the development of Campbell.
Next up for the Tide is another road trip to College Station to take on Texas A&M, who is fresh off a win against Arkansas and will look to firmly throw their hat in the ring for the SEC West with a win over the Tide.
