Brian Branch reveals what Mississippi State win says about the character of this Alabama team

Alabama was looking to bounce back from their upset loss to Tennessee, and they did just that this past weekend as they defeated Mississippi State 30-6. The Crimson Tide turned things around after their historically poor performance in Knoxville, especially on the defensive side of the ball, which defensive back Brian Branch spoke about

“For us to come out there and play like we did, I feel like that means that we fight and it shows that we’re not gonna let one game determine how good this defense is,” Branch said.

Alabama gave up 52 points in their matchup against Tennessee, the most they’d given up in school history since 1907, but followed it up with a stellar performance. The Tide held Mississippi State scoreless through the entirety of the game all the way up until the very last snap, when the Bulldogs reached the end zone on a one-yard rush as the game clock hit zero.

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The Crimson Tide were most impressive in the secondary, facing an air raid attack that averages 321 passing yards per game. Alabama held the Bulldogs to just 230 yards in the air on 60 pass attempts, while also holding quarterback Will Rodgers to zero touchdown passes for the first time this season.

This was the fourth game of the season that Alabama has held an opponent to seven or less points, but they’re still looking to grow and improve according to Branch.

“It’s just everybody, we know we have to improve on the little things, the penalties, I feel like if everybody does their job one game at a time I think we can be the defense I know we can be,” Branch said.

Branch was all over the field for Alabama on Saturday, making plays in the secondary and behind the line of scrimmage from his safety position. Branch ended the game with four tackles, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss as well as breaking up two passes, the seventh game of his career with two or more pass breakups.

Alabama is in the thick of a four-game stretch where they face ranked, SEC competition week after week. Their next game is a visit to Baton Rouge to take on No. 18 LSU, and hopefully for the Crimson Tide, their defense can live up to what Branch believes they can be in what could be their most crucial stretch of the season.