TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama brushed aside a top SEC West challenger and roared on to an even tougher one.

AJ McCarron passed for 208 yards and two touchdowns, and the top-ranked Crimson Tide reached the end zone on its first three possessions in a muscle-flexing 38-7 victory over No. 13 Mississippi State on Saturday night.

That blazing start indicated Bama wasn't looking ahead to No. 6 LSU in a national game rematch – at least until the second quarter.

"We felt like we had something to prove, because they felt like they could come in our house and beat us," Tide linebacker CJ Mosley said. "As a defense we did a great job of stopping the run and making them try to beat us with the pass."

Point made. The Tide (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) quickly turned the meeting of unbeaten SEC West teams into a mismatch with a 21-0 lead barely a minute into the second quarter.

"We certainly had a lot of respect for Mississippi State," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "You don't get to be 7-0 by accident. I think it was important for us to get off to a fast start in this game, preparing yourself to fight a 15-round fight, knowing that you're going to have to take the fight to them in the early rounds.

"You can't necessarily win the fight in the first round, but you can certainly lose it. I think we had the right amount of energy and the right physical energy to play in the game."

The Bulldogs (7-1, 3-1) came in averaging 36.7 points but didn't score until the final minutes. They had been leading the nation in turnover margin but lost two fumbles and an interception.

McCarron completed 16 of 23 passes before sitting out the fourth quarter. He headed to the locker room briefly early in the quarter with a bruised back but returned to the sideline. Saban said he could have returned and will be fine for the LSU game.

The Tide has now won the past five meetings and this one turned into more of the same, despite considerably more hype.

"They're No. 1 for a reason – they don't make mistakes," Mississippi State cornerback Johnthan Banks said. "I haven't played a team like that since I've been in college. I have great respect for AJ McCarron. He doesn't make mistakes."

The Bulldogs had started 7-0 for only the second time in program history. Instead of proving they were legitimate SEC contenders, this game showed they have a ways to go.

McCarron hit Kenny Bell in stride for a 57-yard touchdown to cap a drive that started at Alabama's 4. He then found tight end Michael Williams for a 9-yard score early in the second quarter.

His 18 touchdowns tie him with John Parker Wilson for second-most in school history, two behind Greg McElroy's single-season record.

T.J. Yeldon rushed for 84 yards on 10 carries, including an 11-yard touchdown. The subs tacked on two touchdowns after turnovers in the fourth quarter.

It wasn't the finish that mattered the most, but the start.

"This is a big game for us and we knew that they were going to come out really believing they could win the game," Tide center Barrett Jones said. "And that's when we knew we had to come out and play hard in the beginning. We really started fast. That's something we talked about all week."

Alabama held the SEC's leading rusher, LaDarius Perkins, to 38 yards on 15 carries after he came in with three straight 100-yard efforts. The Tide outgained Mississippi State 414-256.

Tyler Russell completed 15 of 30 passes for 169 yards but threw just his second interception of the season and took a number of hits from the nation's top defense.

"I think our guys are disappointed. They came in and expected to win the game," Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. "And probably nobody else out there thought we would. And I love our fans and how they believed in us. We didn't just believe, I think our guys expected us to win."

Alabama's 24-0 halftime lead held until Mississippi State had a muffed punt and another fumble in the fourth. Then Alabama's backup quarterbacks came in to convert those mistakes into touchdowns.

Phillip Ely hit Eddie Lacy for a 27-yarder and then Blake Sims led another scoring drive capped with a 3-yard touchdown run by freshman Kenyan Drake.

The Bulldogs finally scored on backup quarterback Dak Prescott's 2-yard touchdown pass to Robert Johnson with 4:39 left in the game.

Mississippi State couldn't cash in on two other scoring chances before the game really got out of hand. First, Dee Milliner blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt on the opening drive.

Then, Russell drove the Bulldogs 97 yards from their own 2-yard line before Robert Lester picked off a pass in the end zone late in the third.

"Things we've done right all year long, we couldn't do that against the No. 1 team in the country," Mississippi State linebacker Cameron Lawrence said. "These boys are the real deal.

"I feel like we played our worst game and Alabama capitalized on our mistakes. "

Mississippi State managed to slow down Alabama's offense for a stretch after getting bullied in the first 17 minutes but couldn't find many holes in the defense.

The Tide has two shutouts and has lost two more in the final minutes with the reserves on the field.

Loading Slideshow...

  • Jordan Reed, Jarvis Jones, Sanders Commings

    Florida tight end Jordan Reed, center, fumbles the ball as he is hit Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia cornerback Sanders Commings (19) recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchback. Georgia won the game 17-9. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

  • Anthony Rashad White, Marcus Rush, Montee Ball

    Michigan State's Anthony Rashad White (98) and Marcus Rush (44) chase Wisconsin running back Montee Ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Madison, Wis. Michigan State won 16-13 in overtime. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

  • Spirit

    Auburn mascot Spirit, a Bald Eagle, flies over the stadium before an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

  • Alex Carter, Dominique Williams

    Washington State wide receiver Dominique Williams (80) makes a 43-yard catch next to Stanford cornerback Alex Carter during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Mike Evans, Demetruce McNeal

    Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans (13) stiff-arms Auburn defensive back Demetruce McNeal (12) as he tries to reach the first-down marker during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

  • Aaron Murray

    Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (11) celebrates with fans after defeating Florida 17-9 in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

  • Jon Halapio

    Florida offensive linesman Jon Halapio (67) react at the end of the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia beat Florida 17-9. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)

  • University of Alabama student Jaden Rountree of Ocean Springs, Miss., sits bundled in a crimson blanket as she waits to help people outside Bryant-Denny Stadium prior to a NCAA college football game between Mississippi State and Alabama at in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. Temperatures dipped into the low 50's after a cold front moved through the state.(AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • Jawan Jamison, Luke Wollet

    Rutgers' Jawan Jamison (23) is grabbed by Kent State's Luke Wollet (39) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Piscataway, N.J., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. Kent State upset No. 18 35-23. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

  • Michigan State players celebrate after defeating Wisconsin 16-13 in overtime in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

  • Grant Hedrick, Mike Purcell

    Boise State quarterback Grant Hedrick runs for a touchdown past Wyoming defender Mike Purcell during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Laramie, Wyo. Boise State won 45-14. (AP Photo/Michael Smith)

  • Sylvester Williams

    North Carolina's Sylvester Williams (92) flexes his muscles after dropping North Carolina State's James Washington for a 3-yard loss in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Robert Willett) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Penn State kicks off to Ohio State before the start of an NCAA college football game at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

  • Braxton Miller, Mike Hull

    Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) is sacked by Penn State linebacker Mike Hull (43) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

  • Charlie Hegedus

    North Carolina State wide receiver Charlie Hegedus (84) scores a touchdown on 32-yard pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • South Carolina cornerback Victor Hampton (27) makes an interception on a pass intended for Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter (11) late in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. The South Carolina won 38-35. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, Adam Brimer)

  • Michigan State players celebrate after defeating Wisconsin 16-13 in overtime in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

  • Tyler Tettleton, Wes Williams

    Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton (4) is sacked by Miami (Ohio) defensive lineman Wes Williams (9) on the final play of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Oxford, Ohio. Miami (Ohio) upset Ohio 23-20. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

  • Kelvin Benjamin

    Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin celebrates his punt return for a touchdown against Duke in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida State won the game 48-7. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)

  • Demarcus Lawrence, Brett Smith

    Boise State defender Demarcus Lawrence (8) celebrates after sacking Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Laramie, Wyo. Boise State won 45-14. (AP Photo/Michael Smith)

  • Tramaine Thompson

    Kansas State wide receiver Tramaine Thompson (86) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

  • North Carolina's Giovani Bernard (26) breaks away from N.C. State's Will Baumann (36) as he races in front of the Wolfpack bench during a 74-yard punt return to score the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter of North Carolina's 43-35 victory in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Robert Willett) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • A fan is tossed in the air after SMU scored against Memphis during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Dallas. SMU won 44-13. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

  • Giovani Bernard

    North Carolina's Giovani Bernard (26) stiff-arms North Carolina State's Rickey Dowdy (34) on a 38-yard run during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Robert Willett) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Elisha Olabode, Joseph Randle

    TCU safety Elisha Olabode, right, tackles Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)

  • Kenjon Barner, Axel McQuaw

    Oregon running back Kenjon Barner, front, celebrates his touchdown with teammate Axel McQuaw during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. Barner rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 2 Oregon defeated Colorado 70-14. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

  • UCLA players celebrates their 45-43 win over Arizona State at mid field after their NCAA College football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

  • Collin Klein, Curry Sexton, Tyson Williams

    Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein (7) celebrates a touchdown with teammates Curry Sexton (14) and Tyson Williams, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

  • Bryan Bennett, Jered Bell

    Oregon quarterback Bryan Bennett, left, is tripped up by Colorado defender Jered Bell during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. Oregon won 70-14.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

  • Samuel Ukwuachu, Brett Smith

    Boise State's Samuel Ukwuachu dives after Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith during second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Laramie, Wyo. (AP Photo/Michael Smith)

  • Nick Lamaison

    UTEP quarterback Nick Lamaison prepares to pass against Houston in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

  • Giovani Bernard

    North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard (26) returns a punt 74 yards for a touchdown in the closing moments of North Carolina's 43-35 victory over North Carolina State in an NCAA college football game at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Tobias Palmer

    North Carolina State wide receiver Tobais Palmer (4) sits on the bench after North Carolina's 43-35 victory in an NCAA college football game at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman) MANDATORY CREDIT

  • Luke Kelly, Tyler Tettleton

    Miami (Ohio) defensive lineman Luke Kelly (36) loses his helmet as he sacks Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton (4) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Oxford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

  • North Carolina wide receiver Erik Highsmith (88) pulls in a long reception as North Carolina State safety Earl Wolff (27) and Juston Burris (11) defend during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman)

  • Matt Brakley Barkley, Silas Redd

    Southern California's starting quarterback Matt Barkley (7) hands the ball off to Silas Redd (25) in the backfield during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/John Miller)

  • Chip

    Colorado's mascot Chip, a buffalo, sits on the sideline with head in hands after an Oregon touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

  • Missouri v Kentucky

    Missouri defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson returns a fumble 60 yards during the first quarter against Kentucky in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. Sweat recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chris Lee,) EDWARDSVILLE INTELLIGENCER OUT; THE ALTON TELEGRAPH OUT

  • Daryle Hawkins, Ray Polk

    Oregon receiver Daryle Hawkins dives in for a touchdown as Colorado defender Ray Polk loses his helmet during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

  • Braxton Miller

    Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Penn State in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

  • Jeff Scott, Keith Lewis

    Mississippi running back Jeff Scott (3) is lifted by teammate linebacker Keith Lewis after Mississippi's 30-27 victory over Arkansas in an NCAA college football game in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

  • Jim Mora Jr., Ellis McCarthy

    UCLA head coach Jim Mora Jr. adjusts the pads of defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy during the first half of an NCAA College football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

  • Mychal Rivera, DeVonte Holloman

    Tennesse tight end Mychal Rivera catches a pass in front of South Carolina's DeVonte Holloman during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.(AP Photo/Richard Shiro)

  • Kenny Miles

    South Carolina running back Kenny Miles (31) breaks ahead of the Tennessee defense for long gain during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina won 38-35. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)

  • Solomon Patton, Shawn Williams

    Florida wide receiver Solomon Patton is tackled around the neck by Georgia safety Shawn Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Gainesville, Fla. Williams was injured on the play.(AP Photo/Stephen Morton)

  • David Ash

    Texas quarterback David Ash (14) calls out instructions to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

  • A Penn State fan wears a T-shirt referring to the NCAA sanctions prohibiting Penn State and Ohio State from playing in a bowl game this year, before an NCAA college football game between the two teams in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

  • Steve Beauharnais

    Rutgers' Steve Beauharnais (42) practices a drill during pre game warm ups before the start of an NCAA college football game against Kent State in Piscataway, N.J., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

  • Bo Cisek, Matt Frazier, Demetrius Dugar

    Northwestern defensive line Bo Cisek (1), offensive line Matt Frazier (57) and cornerback Demetrius Dugar (22) celebrate with teammates after Northwestern defeated Iowa 28-17 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

  • Keenan Davis, Daniel Jones

    Northwestern cornerback Daniel Jones, bottom, breaks up a pass intended for Iowa wide receiver Keenan Davis during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

  • Chase Rettig

    Boston College quarterback Chase Rettig looks to pass in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Maryland in Boston, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)