Alabama: Has one elite pitcher in Hunter and not much else to fear on the mound. Quigley has worn down over the season and tomorrow's starter Will Stroup is a crafty curveball heavy southpaw. The pen has serviceable sidearmer Josh Copeland and enigmatic hard-thrower Austin Hyatt.

Position-wise they have an all-America type in centerfielder Emeel Salem and a pair of lefthanded hitting sluggers in Alex Avila and Matt Bentley. Brandon Belcher is a gutty senior gap hitter and Kent Matthes has shown some pop. After that they have really struggled. Defensively they are weak in the infield corners and catcher. Strong in the middle infield and have speedy outfielders.

Mississippi State has gotten by with scrappy strikethrowers on the mound. Their best arm is closer Aaron Weatherford but the mid-90s thrower is out injured this weekend. The bullpen has numbers but no one other than Weatherford is going to strike fear.

Offensively is where MSU thrives. They are solid 1-9 - especially when healthy which they are not right now. Jeffrey Rea and Brandon Turner are very good at the top of the order. Edward Easley is a very good hitter in the three hole and Mitch Moreland and Brian LaNinfa have big-time power. The top of this lineup is very good. They do not have a lot of range defensively and have misplayed a few balls other teams make. This team will go as far the bats take them