Mississippi State Football: Friends with the enemy round 2
By Landon Young
Mississippi State football heads to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide this Saturday night. The game will kick off at 6:00 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Bulldogs come into this game 5-2, and the Crimson Tide at 6-1.
To learn even more about the Alabama Crimson Tide, I met up with bamahammer.com’s Ronald Evans. Ronald is a long-time Alabama Crimson Tide fan who has written for Bama Hammer for several years.
What’s a bama hammer? In my mind, I have this image of a hammer with an elephant’s head on the end of it.
It does not immediately conjure up a specific image. Instead, it is a spin-off from the cheer, ‘Rammer Jammer, Yellow Hammer, Give-em hell Alabama’
How do you think Alabama responds after the loss vs. Tennessee last Saturday?
I think the Tide will respond well after the loss – players and coaches.
If you could point to one offensive and one defensive player that you expect to have a big game on Saturday, who would it be?
I expect big games from Will Anderson Jr. and obviously, Bryce Young but picking Young is too easy, so on offense, I will say Jahmyr Gibbs.
Bryce Young. Heisman trophy winner. What’s your grade for him this 2022 season?
I can make an argument Bryce Young is the best QB to ever play for the Crimson Tide. Though his numbers from this season are down from last season, Young is playing better than he did in his Heisman season.
Does Alabama run the ball or pass the ball more vs. Mississippi State?
Nick Saban wants balance. To him, in a perfect game, the passing and rushing yards would be equal. But the Tide offense is most focused on its passing attack. A more complete answer is opposing defenses, in formations and schemes, determine the play-calling. So if State drops eight, the Tide will run more.
We’re not too far from you guys, and I expect many State fans to travel despite the Kentucky loss last Saturday. Where should we eat? (Can’t be Dreamland)
The best bar-b-que ribs in the state of Alabama are in the backyard of a house in Northport. It is a small block building, with I think four stools at an inside counter, and no tables. There are picnic tables outside. The name is Archibald’s but don’t confuse it with the actual restaurant by the same name, that is not close to being as good. Click here for more info on Archibald’s.
Score prediction?
On the score, I’m thinking 41-13 or maybe 17 for the Bulldogs. This Saturday night is a bad time to play against Alabama.