Few saw Mississippi State coming last week. It's surprising 35-28 win over then-No. 4 Texas A&M opened some eyes seven days before traveling to top-ranked Alabama.

To better understand Mississippi State (4-5, 2-3 SEC), we contacted Bulldog beat writer Michael Bonner of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. Take a look at his work here and follow him on Twitter.

Now learn a little more about the team Alabama will face at 11 a.m. CT Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

1. What's the mood around the program? There was considerable optimism the last two years against Alabama, did the Texas A&M win ramp things up?

It's been pretty casual actually. I don't think the team is putting added pressure on itself like years past. They head to Tuscaloosa this year as 30-point underdogs. They feel they have nothing to lose as the country expects a blowout. It worked against Texas A&M. MSU will bring a similar attitude to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

2. What was different for a Bulldog team that allowed 41 points to FCS team Samford a week before beating the No. 4 ranked team in the country?

They just played football. In the past they tried to live up to expectations set by Dak Prescott or Benardrick McKinney. This year's team isn't as talented as years past. Yet, the younger players envisioned 10-win seasons or Orange Bowls. The season bottomed out against Kentucky. They entered Texas A&M with a can't lose attitude. No one expected them to win, but the Bulldogs put together their best practices of the year. It translated to the field.

3. How similar is the Mississippi State offense with Nick Fitzgerald from the Dak Prescott version?

It's almost the same. That's actually been part of the problem. Nick Fitzgerald isn't Dak Prescott but the offense still relies heavily on the quarterback, mainly because there just aren't weapons around him. Aeris Williams rushed for his first 100 yard game against Texas A&M last week, but hasn't been consistent enough to earn a starting spot. Donald Gray has flashed talent but also hasn't been consistent. Other than his favorite target Fred Ross, Fitzgerald has had to produce MSU's offense by himself.

4. State is No. 104 defending the pass while Alabama 79th throwing the ball. Is this secondary vulnerable or does it have an edge?

The secondary played its best game of the season against Texas A&M. We'll see if its turned a corner or if it was just a mirage. MSU has been crippled by injuries at safety and corner. While the Bulldogs have found an answer at corner, they may have found a playmaking safety. Mark McLaurin has three turnovers in the last four weeks at safey. He returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown against Kentucky. If MSU plays like it did against A&M, it's not as bad as its 104th ranking. If it plays like it did against Samford, it's worse.

5. Which Bulldogs will need to have a big game against Alabama for this to get interesting?

Offensively, it starts and ends with Nick Fitzgerald. His favorite target is Fred Ross. Defensively, Mark McLaruin is the team's playmaker in the secondary. Up front, Mississippi State has to rely on A.J. Jefferson and Jeffery Simmons to create plays in the backfield.