No. 5 Tide lock down on D to knock off top-ranked Mississippi State

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama's lead had dwindled into dangerous territory against the nation's top-ranked team. Suddenly, Blake Sims and the fifth-ranked Crimson Tide's offense roared to life with a downfield march full of clutch plays. The result was a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown that finally provided some comfort in Saturday's 25-20 victory over No. 1 Mississippi State. "It was one of the greatest drives in Alabama history, probably," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. And it came in one of the biggest games in Mississippi State annals. The Tide (9-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference, No. 4 AP) reasserted itself as a national title contender with a dominant first half and some clutch play in the fourth quarter. Alabama had been stuck just outside of the top four teams in the College Football Playoff rankings but powered its way squarely into the mix.