TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Sporting Alert) — Alabama took a massive step towards making the College Football Playoff on Saturday after beating No. 1 Mississippi State 25-20 in a classic at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the game of the week.
The win saw Alabama (9-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) handing Mississippi State (9-1, 5-1 SEC) their first defeat of the season.
“It was a great win for our team, our players, our fans, our university and everyone in the organization,” a delighted Alabama coach Nick Saban told reporters.
“I think any time you beat the No. 1 team in the country, that’s a significant accomplishment. I was really proud of how our players competed in the game.
“I thought the defense did a fantastic job. The turnovers were huge with the three interceptions. They were all drive stoppers.”
Blake Sims went 19 of 31 passes for 211 yards and one touchdown in the win for the Crimson Tide, who strengthened their chance of moving into the CFP top four.
“We made big-time plays at the right time and the guys fought hard,” Sims said. “The defense made a great stand for us to have that drive.
“I’m just proud of the way that the whole team played.”
Alabama is ranked No. 5 in the College Football Playoff poll.
The Crimson Tide rushed off to a 19-0 lead, but the top ranked Bulldogs fought back to cut the advantage to 19-13, before T.J. Yeldon drove for seven yards to give the home side a 25-13 lead.
The Bulldogs kept fighting, but were unable to breakdown a very determined Alabama defense, despite Dak Prescott connecting with Jameon Lewis to help cut the lead again to 25-20 with 0:15 left.
“It was a really well-fought ballgame,” Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said.
“Those were two very good football teams out there playing.
“Give Alabama a lot of credit. They did the things you needed to do to win. They made more plays at the end than we did.”
Prescott went 27 of 48 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns for Mississippi State, but was also intercepted three times in the defeat.
“We just ran out of time,” a disappointed Prescott told reporters after the game. “I just think that it was us.
“We turned over the ball. It was just stupid turnovers. Then we had the ball intercepted. That one slipped away.
“I can’t turn the ball over like I did.”
Meanwhile, No. 3 Florida State rallied from 16 point deficit to earn a 30-26 victory over Miami (Fla) and stretched their win streak to 26 games.
Quarterback Jameis Winston finished with 25 of 42 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown for the Seminoles (10-0, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who stayed undefeated this season.
Dalvin Cook had seven catches for 92 yards and ran for two scores, including the go-ahead touchdown with 3:05 left in the game as Florida State held the Hurricanes (6-4, 3-3) to just three points in the second half.
Brad Kaaya completed 16 of 34 passes and threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns for Miami in the defeat.
In other results on Saturday, No. 4 TCU scored 17 unanswered points and rallied from being down 27-17 with less than four minutes to play in the third quarter, to beat Kansas University 34-30.
Elsewhere Northwestern upset No. 18 Notre Dame 43-40 in overtime, while Arkansas kept No. 17 LSU scoreless in a 17-0 victory and No. 9 Auburn were stunned 34-7 by No. 15 Georgia.
NCAAF TOP 25 SCORES AND RESULTS
(5) Alabama 25 (9-1), (1) Mississippi State 20 (9-1)
(3) Florida State 30 (10-0), Miami (FL) 26 (6-4)
(4) TCU 34 (9-1), Kansas 30 (3-7)
Oregon State 35 (5-5), (6) Arizona State 27 (8-2)
(8) Ohio State 31 (9-1), (25) Minnesota 24 (7-3)
(12) Michigan State 37 (8-2) – Maryland 15 (6-4)
(14) Arizona 27 (8-2), Washington 26 (6-5)
(15) Georgia 34 (7-2), (9) Auburn 7 (7-2)
(20) Wisconsin 59 (8-2), (16) Nebraska 24 (8-2)
Arkansas 17 (5-5), (17) LSU 0 (7-4)
Northwestern 43 (4-6), (18) Notre Dame 40 (7-3) OT
(22) Georgia Tech 28 (9-2), (19) Clemson 6 (7-3)
Virginia Tech 17 (5-5), (21) Duke 16 (8-2)
(23) Utah 20 (7-3), Stanford 17 (5-5) (2OT)
Missouri 34 (8-2) – (24) Texas A&M 27 (7-4)
