No. 1 Alabama turns away stubborn Mississippi State

Marred by a plethora of turnovers and overall sloppy play in general, the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide managed to defeat a stubborn Mississippi State squad by the score of 20-7.

Call it a "post LSU hangover" or simply a lack of basic fundamentals and execution, the Crimson Tide looked very "mediocre" at times in the face of a very spirited MSU team.

Mississippi State fumbled 4 times and didn't lose any of them. Alabama turned it over 4 times.
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 17, 2013

While Alabama never trailed in the contest, the Crimson Tide were never able to gain momentum and essentially "break the will" of the Bulldogs. Instead, the Alabama defense simply held Mississippi State at bay until the contest meandered to a close.

Saban: "We won the game, but we didn't really beat the other team."
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 17, 2013

For those who enjoy comparison shopping, one could obviously, and without argument, make the case that Saturday's game with Mississippi State was the most "sluggish" Alabama has looked since the late September contest against Colorado State.

Saban: "We have to prepare our players better. That's on us. That's on me."
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 17, 2013

In respect to the positive side of life, running back T.J. Yeldon rushed for a career-high 160 yards against the Bulldogs, including a 50-yard run in the initial half of play. Yeldon averaged 6.7 yards per carry against a stout MSU defensive front.

In total offense, the Crimson Tide garnered 383 yards while holding Mississippi State to 197.

Defensively, Alabama used a "bend but don't break" effort against the Bulldogs for essentially the entire game. UA forced one turnover in the contest courtesy of an interception by safety HaHa Clinton-Dix.

AJ McCarron gets the win and is now 35-2 as a starter which ties Jay Barker with win total. #R0LLTIDE pic.twitter.com/Tq0NhT3pWG
— The Game (@TheGameWDGM) November 17, 2013

No. 1 Alabama sluggish but responds when pressed in win at Mississippi State http://t.co/UTuqfljmxI
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) November 17, 2013

-Complete Stats-

Injury report

Tight end Brian Vogler suffered what visually appeared to be a lower leg injury during the latter stages of the game. In his postgame press conference, head coach Nick Saban confirmed that Vogler sustained a sprained ankle.

While Saban did not mention T.J. Yeldon when confirming those who were injured, Tide beat writer Marquavius Burnett tweeted that Yeldon exited the stadium adorning a walking boot.

Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon leaves the locker room with a boot on his right foot.
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) November 17, 2013

Using examples such as Eddie Lacy last season, and AJ McCarron prior to the contest with Virginia Tech, the utilization of a walking boot is a common practice and often a precautionary measure.