Will Bama be able to handle a real SEC defense?

So far the average Scoring D Bama has faced has ranked 68th. MSU's scoring is ranked 9th in the country, and will have been without question the toughest defense Bama has faced thus far.

The only defense with a pulse thus far that Bama has faced was opening night in Dallas against Michigan. The same Michigan that allowed 25 points to Air Force at home and average 1.22 interceptions a game. Michigan currently has a turnover ratio of -3 and has a turnover ratio of -7 against teams with a scoring D ranked better then 70th.

As most, if not everyone on this board remembers, Michigan, threw three picks that game, causing Alabama to get 14 points off of turnovers as well as end the final drive of the game. Not to mention the three and outs and Michigan's lack of a passing game allowed Bama to have their way on defense.

Furthermore, due to the injuries of Jalston Fowler, Dee Hart, and Deandrew White 25% of Bama's passing game and 37% of Bama's running game from the Michigan game are gone, amounting to nearly a third of Bama's total offense against Michigan. Bama's offense won't be able to just throw people in there willy-nilly like they did against Michigan.

MSU on the other hand, has only thrown one pick all season, and has a turnover margin of +15. Bama's defense will play tough and smart, but for the first game this season they'll have to play long and hard as well, and by the time fourth quarter hits they'll be tired, and battered, and they'll make mistakes.

Unlike Tennessee or Michigan or Arkansas or any the other crap teams Alabama has played MSU can widen out and chuck it to the outside, bunch it up and push it in, run it to the outside, pass it up the middle. Alabama won't be able to stack the box or spread everyone out like they have all season.

Alabama's about to play a team that has an offense AND a defense, instead of one or the other. In terms of scoring O and scoring D this will be the best team Bama has face on both fronts, not to mention the team with the best ball control Bama will have faced all season. All year Bama's been able to walk in, punch their opponent in the mouth and watch them just roll over. Now, Bama's playing somebody that'll punch em back.

21-14 Grinders.