MSU tries to bounce back against Arkansas

Mississippi State got brought back down to earth on Saturday. Second-ranked Alabama overcame a slow start offensively and capitalized on MSU's mistakes en-route to a 31-6 win at Davis-Wade Stadium.

What we learned

Dak Prescott isn't superman. The Bulldogs' record-setting quarterback imposed his will on a whole lot of games in his Bulldog career. Saturday, he had no chance.

Alabama's defensive line was in his face the very first play of the day with a sack. He would be dropped eight more times officially as Alabama's front seven whipped MSU's offensive line. Prescott endured the hits, carrying it 26 times for only 14 yards.

Prescott couldn't find a way to put MSU (7-3) over the top in the 25-point beat down.

We also learned that the talent gap between MSU and Alabama is still very large. The Bulldogs simply haven't recruited on the offensive line well enough to open holes against teams like Alabama. Pass protection was even more difficult.

MSU coach Dan Mullen has constantly won games that he's expected to win, but winning the bigger games continue to elude him. In order to take the next step, he has to find ways to win those kind of games. Recruiting is a priority.

MSU goes back to the drawing board in the final two games of the season with a chance for a 10-win season still alive. For Prescott, the disappointment still showed brightly on his face postgame, realizing his goal of making it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship was gone.

Up next

It's not getting easier for the Bulldogs. MSU goes on the road against one of the SEC's hottest teams. The Bulldogs travel to Fayetville, Ark. at 6 p.m. Saturday against Arkansas on ESPN.

This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 1:01 PM with the headline "MSU tries to bounce back against Arkansas ."