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Mississippi State

Mike Leach weighs in on the challenge of defending Alabama one-two punch of Bryce Young, Jahmyr Gibbs

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•10/18/22
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Alabama quarterback Bryce Young throws a pass to running back Jahmyr Gibbs during a 20-19 win over Texas on Sept. 10, 2022. (Greg Nelson / Getty Images)

No. 24 Mississippi State will travel to face No. 6 Alabama this weekend, with both teams looking to bounce back from losses. For coach Mike Leach and the Bulldogs, half the battle will be stopping the Alabama one-two punch of quarterback Bryce Young and running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

The duo has been virtually unstoppable this season, other than perhaps by injury. Gibbs’ addition from Georgia Tech via the transfer portal has been massive.

“I think he’s really good. I think that’s the thing,” Leach said. “They keep you kind of thinned out because you’re trying to tend to both of them. Then as they do that you can’t just focus on one thing, and then you’re vulnerable to both a little bit.”

Gibbs has run for 635 yards and five touchdowns this season already, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. That’s quite the clip for a back who is just 12 carries shy of the century mark in seven games.

Throw in Young’s ability to scramble when needed — he’s got 150 yards and three touchdowns rushing — and it’s hard to key in even on just the run game.

Add Young’s arm, which looked fine last week as he returned from a sprained AC joint in his shoulder, and the Crimson Tide can be downright deadly.

Alabama’s one-two punch one of nation’s best

Young and Gibbs have spearheaded the Alabama offense, but make no mistake about it: The Crimson Tide have other weapons, too.

You don’t become the nation’s No. 4 scoring offense at 45.0 points per game or the nation’s No. 7 total offense at 513.0 yards per game without multiple answers.

Mississippi State will have its hands full.

While Young and Gibbs are the two primary concerns defensively, the Bulldogs will also need to stop the supporting cast. Receivers Ja’Corey Brooks, Kobe Prentice, Jermaine Burton and Traeshon Holden have all logged at least 18 catches and at least 240 yards this season. That’s some serious balance in the passing attack.

Alabama and Mississippi State will kick off at 7 p.m. ET with a broadcast on ESPN.