Alabama Crimson Tide at Mississippi Rebels Preview and Pick

Opening Line: Crimson Tide -6.5 / Rebels +6.5
3:30 EST Saturday October 10, 2009 on CBS

by Marasoft.com Staff

The 20th ranked Mississippi Rebels host the 3rd ranked Crimson Tide this Saturday afternoon in a big SEC game for both teams. Each team is the SEC West and the Rebels already have a loss in division play so if they lose they may not have a shot at the SEC Title game, which means no BCS game. The Tide are still undefeated in division play and they need to stay that way, as both Auburn and LSU have also not lost any SEC games. This is the tough time of the season for the Tide, as in 2 of their next 3 games they face teams ranked in the top 25.

Last week Alabama beat Kentucky 38-20 while the Rebels beat Vanderbilt 23-7.

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The Crimson Tide are led by QB Greg McElroy (1086 yds 9 TD 1 INT) and his main targets are WR Marquis Maze (8 rec 194 yds 2 TD) and TE Colin Peek (14 rec 160 yds 1 TD). The Tide rushing attack is led by the solid RB duo of Mark Ingram (487 yds 6 TD) and Trent Richardson (304 yds 4 TD). The Rebels are led by one-time Heisman candidate QB Jevan Snead (728 yds 9 TD 5 INT) and his main targets are WR's Shay Hodge (17 rec 269 yds 3 TD) and Dexter McCluster (11 rec 155 yds 1 TD). The Rebels rushing attack is led by Brandon Bolden (297 yds 1 TD).

The Rebels have their work cut out for them in this game, as the Tide rank higher in total yards, rushing yards, and passing yards this season. The Tide rank 2nd in the nation on defense only allowing an average of 222.2 yards per game. Snead will have to show why he was once considered for the Heisman, as the Tide are very solid at stopping the run, so the Rebels may have to move the ball through the air. WR Dexter McCluster is 2nd on the Rebels in both receiving yards and rushing yards and he will be counted on to move the chains in this game.

The Rebels rank 18th on defense, but their weakness is stopping the run, as they are allowing an average of 118 rushing yards per game. If The Tide can run the ball in this game they will be in great shape. They rank 10th in the nation in rushing yards per game and each RB is averaging around 6 yards per carry. The Tide cannot get down early in this game, as they do not have the passing offense to get into a shootout.

The Rebels have to stop the run and Snead has to have a big game. If either of those things does not happen they will not win this game.

The Marasoft Pick: Mississippi +6.5