Alabama-Birmingham @ Mississippi State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2011 ) Mississippi State 21, Alabama-Birmingham 3

Dak Prescott and Mississippi State’s offense put on an impressive display in the season opener, overshadowed only by the performance of the defense. The Bulldogs look to put up another strong effort when they host Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday. Mississippi State put a 49-0 beating on Southern Miss in Week 1 and takes on a Blazers squad that looked nearly as strong in beating up on Troy in its opener.

Prescott played about half of the opening game and still ended up with a career-high 284 passing yards and four touchdowns as the Bulldogs had success pushing the tempo on offense against the Golden Eagles. “We just wanted to get better at the small things and doing things right,” Prescott told reporters, “and I think we’re heading in the right direction.” UAB coach Bill Clark made his team debut in Week 1 and introduced a pounding offensive attack that racked up 338 yards on the ground in a 48-10 triumph.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: Mississippi State -28

ABOUT ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM (1-0): Sophomore Jordan Howard needed only 19 carries to rush for 179 yards and two scores against Troy and was joined in the 100-yard club by D.J. Vinson, who added 106 yards and a score. “I think it takes two (running backs),” Clark told reporters. "... I think Jordan will be the first to tell you, ‘Boy I’m a lot better when I’m rested.’ There are just a lot less hits.” Quarterback Cody Clements adds to the ground game as well and helped open things up for Howard and Vinson with a pair of passing TDs to go along with his rushing score last week.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-0): The Bulldogs’ defense is being led by senior safety Jay Hughes, who missed nearly all of last season with an Achilles injury. Hughes made up for lost time in Week 1 with an interception in the first half and a blocked field goal return for a touchdown in the third quarter. “I just played my position,” Hughes told reporters. “I've been waiting on this so long. I worked hard and felt like I owed it to myself. I’m back. We’re back, and we’re not done yet.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mississippi State has won 12 straight home games against non-conference opponents.

2. The Blazers’ 338 rushing yards last week marked the team’s highest total since Sept. 2, 2010.

3. The Bulldogs’ defense has allowed one offensive touchdown in its last 13 quarters and forced 17 turnovers in the last six games.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 38, UAB 17