A glimmer of optimism enshrouded the atmosphere of David Wade Stadium as the first quarter came to a close. The Mississippi State Bulldogs had managed to hold the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide scoreless and keep monster running back Derrick Henry in check. It seemed the Bulldogs were about to accomplish a feat not seen since 2007 and finally knock Alabama from its perch.
However, an inability to capitalize on red zone trips, poor offensive play, and the conceding of a couple of huge plays would spell MSU’s doom. After being held to virtually nothing in the first quarter, the Tide would draw first blood with a 69-yard punt return by Cyrus Jones. From there, they never looked back.
The Tide would strike three more times in the game, soring on plays of 60,74, and 65 yards. A field goal from Alabama kicker Adam Griffith late in the third quarter would put their point total at 31. Despite that number, many would argue that the defense played exceptionally well for a majority of the game.
Head coach Dan Mullen said as much during his post game press conference.
“Not going to win doing that,” Mullen said of the three huge plays the defense allowed that resulted in touchdowns. “For 55 plays we played unbelievable defense. For three we played terrible defense.”
The Bulldogs offensive line was a major problem Saturday as well. The unit allowed 9 sacks in the game after only allowing 13 the whole year. Quarterback Dak Prescott had little to no time in pocket for most of the evening Saturday, as he went 22 of 43 for 300 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. The final score may not have been to MSU’s liking but the team did receive some encouraging news on Monday concerning wide receiver De’Runnya Wilson, Prescott’s biggest target.
“He’s going to be fine,” Mullen said. “We’ll see how he’ll be this week. I don’t think we’ll know until later in this week what his status will be, but it’s not anything that is a threatening injury.”
Wilson went to the ground after tackling an Alabama defensive back who intercepted Prescott. After lying on the ground for a moment he was carted off to the locker room and would not return. The junior receiver has been spotted on campus sporting a neck brace, but a specific injury has yet to be disclosed. 
Prescott will need a healthy Wilson and all the help he can get if the Bulldogs hope to end the season on a high note. Saturday the squad will travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas is coming off a 31-14 home victory over the Louisiana State University Tigers. In that win the Razorbacks held Heisman contending running back Leonard Fournette to only 91 yards rushing. The Razorbacks have a stout defense, a solid running game and a more than capable quarterback in Brandon Allen.  They also have one of the biggest offensive lines in the nation. Mullen is aware of the challenge his team will face this week.
“We have got to be stout. We have got to be physical,” he said. “They move people and we can’t get moved.”
A win in Fayetteville will be absolutely pivotal for MSU, as the biggest game of the year, the Egg Bowl, is the following week.