Alabama got another smothering defensive effort and another big game from its running backs as the Crimson Tide kept alive their hopes of getting back in the national championship picture with a 24-7 victory over host Mississippi State on Saturday.

Alabama (9-1, 6-1 SEC West) has won four straight and nine of 11 against Mississippi State (5-5, 1-5).

The Crimson Tide improved to 15-2 in road games since 2008 and 46-3 when leading at halftime under coach Nick Saban.

Alabama held the Bulldogs to 131 total yards. The Crimson Tide have not allowed more than 14 points to any of their past 11 opponents dating to last season's Capital One Bowl against Michigan State.

Alabama's Trent Richardson rushed for 127 rushing yards on 32 carries, his seventh 100-yard game of the season. Richardson has 2,656 career yards, passing Bobby Marlow for seventh on the school's all-time list.

Eddie Lacy added 96 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.

All of Mississippi State's losses have come against teams that were ranked in the Top 25 at the time of the meeting. The Bulldogs have lost 21 consecutive games against top 10 teams dating to a 47-35 victory over No. 3 Florida in 2000.