STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott said he believes he's a much better quarterback than this time a year ago.
For the Bulldogs, today's game would be a good time to prove it.
No. 17 Mississippi State (7-2, 3-2 SEC) hosts No. 2 Alabama (8-1, 5-1) today in a game with Western Division implications for both teams.
It will be the 100th meeting in a series that dates to 1896. Alabama has been dominant in the series, with 78 or 79 victories in the series, depending on which school you ask. Alabama has won seven consecutive in the series, including the past three at Starkville, Miss.
Prescott has a 21-8 record as a starter and played a critical role in victories over every team in the SEC West at least once in his career.
Except against Alabama.
The Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 last season when they lost 25-20 to the Tide at Tuscaloosa, Ala. Prescott said he learned from that experience.
"I think I'm better in every aspect of the quarterback position," Prescott said. "Game planning more so than anything -- watching tendencies of their defensive backs, putting a clock in my head of when to get the ball out and getting our team the best looks on certain plays with the defenses they give us."
Mississippi State certainly asks Prescott to do a lot. The 6-2, 230-pound senior has thrown for 2,351 yards, 18 touchdowns and 1 interception. He's also the team's best option to run the ball with 418 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.
Prescott is playing the final games of what's been an impressive college career. He needs 66 yards passing today to become the 12th Football Bowl Subdivision player with 8,000 yards passing and 2,000 yards rushing. He's also been responsible for 100 touchdowns, which is a school record and the sixth-most ever in the SEC.
Mississippi State's De'Runnya Wilson had a slow start to the season, but has had two of his best games over the past two weeks. He caught 4 passes for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns on Nov. 5 in a 31-13 victory over Missouri. Wilson has caught at least one touchdown pass in four consecutive games, which is the most for an MSU player since 2012.
The Bulldogs hope Alabama is a little beat up physically and emotionally following a 30-16 victory over fellow LSU last weekend.
Alabama Coach Nick Saban said he is working to prevent a letdown.
"Everybody's got to focus and get prepared to do the best job to play even better in [the Mississippi State] game," Saban said.
Alabama running back Derrick Henry has averaged 173.6 yards per game, including 236 yards rushing against Texas A&M and 210 in last week's victory over LSU.
Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland said the Tide's new spot atop the Western Division has helped refine the team's focus.
"Since you control your own destiny, you have to keep getting better and worry about yourself," Ragland said.
Sports on 11/14/2015