Alabama Football Preparing for Cowbells, Different Offense in First SEC Road Test

The Crimson Tide takes on Mississippi State in Starkville late Saturday night.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — From 2020-2022, Mississippi State was led by the late Mike Leach. Leach's offensive style was very unique — he brought his high-octane, throw-the-ball scheme to the SEC.

With Leach gone, new head coach Zach Arnett is changing things up in Starkville. The Bulldogs (2-2, 0-2 SEC) are returning to a ground-and-pound, balanced offense combined with a physical, aggressive defense.

In 2022-23, Mississippi State finished the season with 634 pass attempts to 295 rush attempts. That number is nearly even in 2023-24 thus far, with the Bulldogs attempting 123 passes to 122 rushes.

Everyone knows quarterback Will Rogers, who has been with the program since Leach's first season in 2020-21 — but running back Jo'Quavious Marks has been a huge part of the Bulldogs' offensive attack this season. Marks is averaging nearly 20 touches per game for 114.25 total yards per game.

"The big thing that stands out the most after watching a little bit of the tape is they threw the ball mostly every play last year against whoever they played, against us, against everybody else," Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry said. "I feel like this year, they’re running the ball a lot more — becoming more of a balanced offense."

Defensive tackle Jaheim Oatis isn't as worried about Mississippi State's new offense.

"It’s still the same old ball," Oatis said. "They have a good offense, a good quarterback, good running backs, good [offensive] line, so this week we’re just going to have to focus on that."

Saturday night's game will bring a lot of new challenges for the Crimson Tide (3-1, 1-0 SEC). Other than what was essentially a neutral-site game against USF, No. 12 Alabama hasn't gone on the road yet this season.

"This is the first SEC road game," head coach Nick Saban said. "This is actually a bigger challenge for us than the last two games in my opinion, in terms of this team is very physical, very aggressive on defense, create a lot of negative plays, got a lot of starters back. They know their system. They know their scheme. They play very, very well."

Davis Wade Stadium is known for one thing — the cowbells.

"Those cowbells are annoying, man," Oatis said. "Them cowbells loud. When I was a recruit, I went to the 'Bama-Mississippi State games the years I was there. They were loud. They was annoying."

"It feels good to go back and play in Mississippi — home. I get a lot of ... stuff about being from Mississippi. But going back there to play, it’s going to be a big, big game."

Communication will be key for Alabama on offense to avoid pre-snap penalties and keep everyone on the same page.

"We just have to be even more obsessive about communication," offensive guard Tyler Booker said. "Probably more eye contact with the running backs, actually looking back at the running back, making sure he has the call. Just being more obsessive about it."

It's going to be a late night as the two closest universities in the Southeastern Conference meet for the final time in the foreseeable future.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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Photos and Video from Alabama's First Practice of Mississippi State Week