Tuscaloosa, AL -- (Sports Network) - The nation's top-ranked team puts its undefeated record on the line this weekend as the Alabama Crimson Tide host the Mississippi State Bulldogs in SEC action.

Not much has gone right for Mississippi State this season, as the team owns a 3-6 record and has yet to post back-to-back victories. The Bulldogs had an outstanding chance of accomplishing that feat in their last outing, but a 14-13 loss to Kentucky prevented a second straight win. MSU has been idle since November 1st and figures to be well-rested for this weekend's road clash.

Alabama was pushed to overtime by LSU on the road last weekend, but Nick Saban's team showed a great deal of toughness by pulling out a 27-21 victory. Saban, who is 10-0 for the first time ever as a head coach, has turned 'Bama into a national power a bit faster than most fans and analysts expected. The Tide will meet Florida in the SEC title game, but the team must take care of business both this weekend and on November 29th against Auburn to carry an undefeated record into that showdown with the Gators.

Alabama owns a commanding 71-18-3 series lead over Mississippi State, but the Bulldogs managed to win last season's meeting by a 17-12 final.

Mississippi State missed a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of its most recent game against Kentucky, and that miscue, coupled with a missed extra point, cost the Bulldogs a chance at a victory. They were only able to rush for 43 yards on 27 carries, so a great deal of pressure fell on the arm of Tyson Lee. "They piled the line of scrimmage which opened up our passing game," said MSU coach Sylvester Croom. Lee completed 26-of-42 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns, but he was sacked four times and did throw an interception. Arnil Stallworth paced the squad with eight catches for 71 yards and a score, while Brandon McRae had six grabs for 73 yards and a touchdown.

MSU has been one of the weakest offensive teams in the nation this season, as the squad is averaging only 16.1 ppg and 295.9 total ypg. Anthony Dixon paces the backfield with 647 rushing yards and six touchdowns on a modest average of 4.2 yards per carry. Lee, who has started five games, has completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,119 yards and four touchdowns against four interceptions. McRae is tops among the receivers with 43 catches for 434 yards and three scores.

Against Kentucky, Mississippi State allowed a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter. For the rest of the contest, however, the Wildcats played strong defense, and they finished the tilt permitting a total of just 274 yards. The pass defense was solid, yielding only 146 yards and 9.1 yards per completion. As for the run defense, it limited the Wildcats to a modest 3.6 yards per carry. "When we look at the film in games like these, you can always find eight or 10 plays in which we make the play we win the ballgame," said a disappointed Croom after the contest.

Opponents are posting 21.2 ppg and 295.9 total ypg against a solid MSU defense. The Bulldogs have only come up with 13 takeaways and 14 sacks, numbers that aren't going to scare many opponents, but they have done an outstanding job of avoiding the big play. Dominic Douglas paces the squad with 73 total tackles, 26 more than his closest teammate.

"For the first time this season we've had to come from behind, play the whole game and win in overtime," said Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson after the thrilling triumph over LSU. "I think it was great for our team." Wilson admitted that the 'Bama offense did not play very well, as the team averaged just 3.7 yards per rushing attempt and finished the game with three turnovers. Still, Wilson scored on a pair of one-yard runs, and Glen Coffee added a three-yard touchdown plunge. Freshman wideout Julio Jones was dominant, hauling in seven receptions for 128 yards. Coffee finished with 126 yards and a score.

Overall this season, Alabama is averaging 31.7 ppg and 367.4 total ypg. The Tide has scored 33 offensive touchdowns, including 25 on the ground. The squad is racking up rushing 198.6 ypg on an average of 4.9 ypc. Coffee has 1,020 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games, and Mark Ingram has also rushed for eight scores. Wilson has thrown for 1,627 yards with only five interceptions, and Jones has 40 catches for 634 yards and four touchdowns.

Alabama had a chance to beat LSU on a field goal at the end of regulation, but the kick was blocked, sending the game to overtime. "As a defense after that blocked field goal we knew it was on us to go out there and make a play," said Crimson Tide defensive back Ali Sharrief. "We knew we had to come out and put together another half of football and that's what we did." Rashad Johnson was huge for 'Bama, as he registered one of his three interceptions in the overtime period. In the second quarter, Johnson returned a pick 54 yards for a touchdown, one of the game's biggest players. 'Bama posted four interceptions in the clash and limited LSU to 13-of-34 passing, impressive to say the least.

Opponents are managing a mere 13.1 ppg against the Crimson Tide, who are one of the best defensive teams in the nation. They are giving up only 264.5 total ypg, including a low 79.1 ypg on 2.9 ypc. Alabama has forced 20 turnovers and registered 19 sacks. Johnson has five interceptions, and Rolando McClain is tops with 66 tackles.