Mississippi State hosts No. 7 Alabama in Starkville Saturday; kickoff 11 a.m. CT

Mississippi State will host No. 7 Alabama at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville on Saturday, Oct. 3, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. CT, SuperTalk Mississippi reported on Oct. 2, 2026. The outlet wrote that a Bulldogs win could push Mississippi State into the College Football Playoff conversation.

SuperTalk Mississippi reported the television broadcast will air on ABC. The game will also air on participating SuperTalk Mississippi radio stations and on the SuperTalk app. SuperTalk said SEC Nation will broadcast from the Junction from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT on ESPN’s SEC Network ahead of kickoff.

SuperTalk Mississippi listed these series and game notes:

• This will be the 109th meeting between Mississippi State and Alabama; Alabama leads the all-time series 87-18-3, with the last meeting a 40-17 Alabama win in 2023. Mississippi State has not beaten Alabama since 2007, SuperTalk reported.
• Alabama opened as a 5.5-point favorite. SuperTalk noted Alabama is 3-1 against the spread in 2026 while Mississippi State is 4-0 against the spread.
• Coaching records reported: Jeff Lebby is in his third season at Mississippi State with a 4-18 record; Kalen DeBoer is in his third season at Alabama and is 20-8 since taking the job in 2024, including a 2025 CFP berth.

Team statistics cited by SuperTalk Mississippi include Mississippi State ranking No. 4 in the FBS with 533.3 yards per game on offense and No. 74 with 353.8 yards per game allowed on defense. Alabama was listed at 471.5 yards per game (No. 24 in the FBS) and 315.3 yards allowed per game (No. 47). Scoring averages noted were 43 points per game for Mississippi State (No. 15) and 48 points per game for Alabama (No. 4); SuperTalk reported Alabama leads the FBS in red-zone offense at 100%.

On individual players and awards, SuperTalk Mississippi cited FanDuel odds that put Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor at +750 — the third-best odds to win the Heisman — with Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell listed at +1100, immediately behind Taylor. Through four games, SuperTalk reported Taylor has passed for 1,192 yards with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions and added 185 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. SuperTalk reported Russell has thrown for 1,129 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions and added 168 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

SuperTalk Mississippi also listed primary playmakers: Mississippi State receiver Anthony Evans (408 yards on 28 catches, 3 TDs) and running back Fluff Bothwell (402 yards on 73 carries, 3 TDs); Alabama receiver Ryan Williams (333 yards on 17 catches, 3 TDs) and running back Daniel Hill (225 yards on 46 carries, 4 TDs).

The Associated Press contributed to the SuperTalk Mississippi report, which was published Oct. 2, 2026.

Source: SuperTalk Mississippi