Alabama-Birmingham @ Mississippi State preview
Davis Wade Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 6, 2007 ) Alabama-Birmingham 13, Mississippi State 30
Mississippi State's turnaround under second-year coach Dan Mullen has happened more quickly than expected.
Coming off a 10-7 win at Florida last week, the Bulldogs have won four straight for the first time since 1999 and have earned their first national ranking since 2001.
No. 24 Mississippi State (5-2, 2-2 SEC) will try to keep that momentum going when it welcomes non-conference opponent Alabama-Birmingham (2-4, 1-2 Conference USA) to Starkville for its homecoming game.
The Bulldogs' strong running game has played a big role in the four-game winning streak, as they've averaged 254.3 rushing yards per game during that span.
Junior Vick Ballard has led the rushing attack, which ranks 21st in the nation with 211.9 yards per game. Ballard averages 73.7 rushing yards per game and is tied for the SEC lead with 12 touchdowns.
With 98 yards against Florida, Ballard narrowly missed his third consecutive 100-yard game and he also failed to score a touchdown for the first time this season.
The Bulldogs gained a season-low 245 total yards - and a season-low 33 passing yards - against Florida, but the defense picked up the slack, holding the Gators to their lowest point total in five years. Senior linebacker Chris White led the effort with 11 tackles (4 1/2 for loss) and 2 1/2 sacks, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
White and the Bulldogs' defense face a challenge this week against a UAB offense that has totaled 500 yards or more in three of the past four games.
The offensive resurgence has come about since junior Bryan Ellis replaced sophomore David Isabelle at quarterback. Ellis came off the bench to lead the Blazers to a 34-33 victory against Troy after they trailed 23-0 in the first half.
Ellis has remained the starter since, and he has passed for 1,154 yards and eight touchdowns in the past four games, twice earning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The Blazers kept the offense rolling in a 21-6 win against UTEP last week, rolling up 500 total yards with a balanced attack - 228 rushing yards and 272 passing yards. Running back Justin Brooks ran for a career-high 81 yards in that game.
The Blazers nearly pulled off one upset against a Southeastern Conference opponent this season, losing 32-29 in double overtime at Tennessee on Sept. 25
The Bulldogs have won two of three previous meetings, including a 30-13 victory in Starkville the last time the teams played. UAB's one win in the series was in the first meeting, a 27-13 victory in Starkville.
With a win, Mississippi State would finish the season undefeated in non-conference games for the first time since 2000.