Alabama will visit Mississippi State in Starkville aiming to extend a 16-game series winning streak while Mississippi State leans on quarterback Kamario Taylor as it defends home turf at Davis-Wade Stadium.
Magnolia Tribune reported Oct. 2, 2026, that Alabama (4-0, 2-0 SEC), ranked No. 7 in the AP Top 25, has won 16 straight meetings in the series and has opened the season by beating each of its first four opponents by at least two touchdowns and scoring at least 45 points in every game. Mississippi State is 4-0 (2-0 SEC) and ranked No. 16.
The Tribune wrote that the past six meetings have not been close, with victory margins ranging from 41 points (2020) to 23 points (2023). On the all-time series (not counting one vacated result and one that was forfeited), Alabama has won 88 of 108 meetings since 1896; Mississippi State has 17 wins and the teams have tied three times. The Crimson Tide hold a 34-7-1 road record in the series, the Tribune reported.
The report said Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby called Taylor “playing really good football for us,” and praised his toughness. The Tribune gave Taylor’s season totals as completing nearly 70% of his passes for 298 yards per game with 14 touchdown passes and two interceptions; he has rushed 37 times for 185 yards and one touchdown.
The Tribune also reported that Alabama first-year starting quarterback Keelon Russell is completing about 71% of his throws for 282.3 yards per game with eight touchdowns and two interceptions, and has 32 rushes for 168 yards and three scores. Lebby was quoted by the Tribune saying, “For us it’s going to be about applying pressure, getting our fans really involved and excited about what’s going on in between those white lines.”
Magnolia Tribune noted Mississippi State’s crowd entered the Guinness Book of World Records by ringing 41,819 cowbells at once last week. The Tribune reported Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, in his third season at Alabama and never having been to Davis-Wade Stadium, said he expects “an absolutely crazy environment” and “We’re going to be prepared for that.” The story said DeBoer chose to keep his team in Tuscaloosa Friday night and travel the morning of the game for an 11 a.m. local kickoff.
The Tribune listed offensive contributors for each team: Taylor has targeted Anthony Evans for 408 yards and three touchdowns and running back Fluff Bothwell is averaging 100 rushing yards per game with three touchdowns; Russell’s top targets listed were Ryan Coleman-Williams (160 yards, three TDs) and Lotzeir Brooks (179 yards, one TD), per the Tribune.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
