Alabama picked up a statement win in Week 5 as they blew out previously unbeaten Mississippi State, 56-23, as the Crimson Tide improve to 5-0 overall (3-0 SEC).
All-in-all, Alabama out-gained the Bulldogs 483-302, and led by double-digits for the final 32 minutes of the game, as well as by double-digits for roughly 43 minutes of the game total.
Alabama will now turn their eyes towards what will be one of the biggest games of the college football season against Georgia next week, but first, here are three takeaways from Alabama's win over Mississippi State.
Pure domination
Saturday's win was a return of something Alabama fans have not seen in a couple years, and it was a welcome return for Tide fans. While Mississippi State gave Alabama some help early, this was a full
four quarters of domination from Alabama against a quality opponent. Alabama's defense dominated the game (especially the front seven), they ran the ball well, and overall out-physicalized Mississippi State in every facet (especially in the trenches). Alabama scored exactly 14 points in every quarter, and dominated the second half 28-6. This was Alabama's most complete performance of the season and it came against arguably the best team they have played.
Keelon Russell is a superstar
It's getting hard to believe that Keelon Russell is doing some of the things that he is doing in just his fifth collegiate start. In this game, Russell completed 16-of-22 of his passes for 285 passing yards and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). Russell also had 29 non-sack rushing yards with several important scrambles early, as well as some good throws on the run. While it's still early, Russell has put himself right at the forefront of the Heisman conversation.
True freshmen shine
Alabama had true freshmen making plays all over the field on Saturday, and not all of them necessarily just in garbage time at the end of the game. The true freshmen running back pair of Trae'shawn Brown and EJ Crowell continue to emerge as Alabama's top two backs. Brown went for 66 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, while Crowell had three carries for 49 yards. True freshmen linebacker Xavier Griffin had a monster day as he got playing time early and often. He finished with a team-leading nine tackles, plus a sack.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: 3 takeaways from Alabama's dominant road win vs. Mississippi State
