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Week 5 SEC Picks and College Football Best Bets

By Evan Ertel

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after their 24-10 win over head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after their 24-10 win over head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jalen Hale (14) snags a touchdown pass
Sep 23, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jalen Hale (14) snags a touchdown pass from Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) over Mississippi Rebels safety Isheem Young (1) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mississippi 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 12 Alabama (-14.5) @ Mississippi State – O/U 46.5

Evan Ertel: A bad defense does not bounce back against a team like Alabama. Maybe they’ll get that chance against Western Michigan. Nick Saban’s mind games started early with his “Mississippi State is actually our toughest game yet.” Alabama -14.5

Ryan Strickland: Just going off of history here. State has not played competitively against Bama in a long, long time, and based on what we have seen so far from State I just do not see this being close at all. Bama should cover this rather easily.  Alabama -14.5

Justin Strawn: I’m choosing to be optimistic and hope Mississippi State can do enough offensively to keep this close. Plus, Alabama hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire with their offense, so I can see a path to Mississippi State covering this week. Mississippi State +14.5

Ethan Lee: Alabama wins, I’m convinced of that. If State can somehow keep Rogers upright and give him time to spread the ball around, this game could be closer than expected. Alabama’s offense doesn’t really thrive through the air and MSU’s coaches have hinted at adjusting defensive schemes to limit explosive plays. If MSU is willing to go more conservative on defense, limit big pass play opportunities, and can also force Jalen Milroe to beat the Bulldogs through the air, then maybe we get brief glimmers of hope before Alabama beats us in a 13-3 game. Mississippi State +14.5

Andrew Miller: I will never pick State to beat Bama nor will I ever expect a close game. Dallas against State’s OL is terrifying, and why would I trust this State defense to ever get a stop. Alabama -14.5

John King: The story after this one is going to be Jalen Milroe’s massive turnaround. I want to #believe, but I just can’t. Alabama -14.5

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