After about a month of either close calls or backup quarterbacking, Alabama could’ve used a blowout. It had a defense looking to regroup after a historic performance. An offense that had to continue defining itself.

Basically, Nick Saban and co. needed a showing like it had Saturday against Mississippi State.

The No. 6 Crimson Tide (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) demolished the No. 24 Bulldogs (5-3, 2-3), 30-6. Though Alabama recorded 290 yards to State’s 293, it was more one-sided than the stats would indicate. Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach tried for the unconventional path to an upset with many runs and fourth-down attempts. Neither worked. Meanwhile for the Tide, Bryce Young was immaculate with 249 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Here’s how instant analysis of Alabama’s blowout victory:

Alabama pass coverage was Dr. Jekyll this week

There was a clear point of emphasis for the Tide defense coming out of Tennessee. The secondary needed to be better. Against the Bulldogs’ pass-happy Air Raid offense and Will Rogers, the leading passer in the SEC, the unit responded with a new face and one of the best showings of the season.

Preseason All-American Eli Ricks started in place of Terrion Arnold and Alabama limited Mississippi State’s offense to 231 air yards. Ricks was tested on his first play of the game and recorded a pass breakup, one of his four. Alabama had 15 as a team including a few dropped interceptions.

Brian Branch had a one-handed deflection leading to a missed field goal. Jordan Battle knocked out a would-be conversion on fourth-and-1. And DeMarcco Hellams, a favorite target for the Vols’ a week ago, was all over the field with two breakups and a sack off the edge. With an early deficit, the Bulldogs kept challenging Alabama’s cornerbacks but the disruption was enough it even started getting lucky. In the third quarter, Bulldogs wideout Lideatrick Griffin dropped a touchdown in the end zone.

Mississippi State scored its first offensive touchdown in Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2014 (Dak Prescott to Jameon Lewis) on the last play of the game.

Bama’s big-play offense faces little resistance

Young finished his first half with 15-of-20 completions with 174 yards. He was directing traffic for cross-field passes, stepping up in the pocket to avoid sacks and rarely missed open crimson jerseys. A trio of roughing-the-passer flags kept giving the Tide yards its offense did not need.

It was a season-worst for Alabama on the ground (1.1 yards per attempt, 29 total). Still, the offense didn’t appear to miss it. The highlights included but were not limited to, a 40-yard bomb to Ja’Corey Brooks, a 31-yarder to JoJo Earle and a 19-yard rushing score for Jahmyr Gibbs.

Bulldogs pivot to ground game to no avail

Earlier in the week, Byron Young said the Bulldogs liked to run the ball when the defense lined up to stop the pass and Alabama had to be ready. The Tide senior defensive lineman actually predicted the first quarter.

To give itself short third- and fourth-downs, the Bulldogs opted for handoffs instead of quick passes. Mississippi State ran the ball 13 times in the opening frame and averaged 4.4 yards a carry. Overall, the Bulldogs registered more run attempts in the first three quarters (22) than Leach had called for in each of his last two games against Nick Saban.

Part of the early success on the ground was due to both starting defensive tackles DJ Dale and Jaheim Oatis out. The Tide matched with Damon Payne and Jamil Burroughs getting more playing time. Eventually, with the margin widening and the Bulldogs in desperate search of a comeback, Rogers had to start throwing and the Bulldogs’ run efforts were abandoned.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].