No. 7 Alabama at No. 16 Mississippi State: Game Central Rundown, Live Updates, Analysis

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Alabama has had its fair share of shootouts and high-scoring games since Kalen DeBoer arrived in 2024, and this contest against Jeff Lebby and Mississippi State could live up to that narrative, as both teams are among the top-10 in the country in points per game.

The Crimson Tide's highest combined point total with an opponent since DeBoer's hiring is 86 points (Week 3's 50-36 win over Florida State) and the firepower on both sides could beat that number. That said, while rain is not expected to fall in the cloudy Starkville sky, there is a chance it will — which could impact both offenses.

The then-No. 24 Bulldogs are coming off a 31-24 home victory over then-No. 19 Missouri. Then-No. 8 Alabama cruised past South Carolina 49-18 at home. Both teams moved up in the AP Top 25, as Alabama comes into Saturday ranked No. 7, while Mississippi State is No. 16.

The game at Davis Wade Stadium is scheduled for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff on ABC.

Pregame Alabama at Mississippi State Updates

Alabama still doesn't have a sponsor patch on its jersey despite moving the SEC logo to the middle of the uniform (replacing the Script A) and leaving the right shoulder empty.

Week 5 update: still no sponsor patch on Alabama’s jersey pic.twitter.com/1eSk9BujP5
— Hunter De Siver (@HunterDeSiver) October 3, 2026

Alabama's buses arrived to Davis Wade Stadium at 9 a.m. CT. The Crimson Tide drove in from Tuscaloosa this morning due to a variety of reasons.

Alabama’s buses have made it to Starkville pic.twitter.com/6qEvxnDJjC
— Theodore Fernandez (@TheoFernandez__) October 3, 2026

Latest Injury News from Alabama at Mississippi State

(latest updates at the top)

Final availability report: Out – LB Justin Hill, LB Desmond Umeozulu, DB Jorden Edmonds, LB Cayden Jones, DB Nick Sherman, DL Jeremiah Beaman, OL Jayvin James; Game-time decision: Zavier Mincey

The final availability report will come out at 9:30 a.m. CT.

Crimson Tide right tackle Jayvin James will also be unavailable for this one due to a lower extremity injury he sustained late against South Carolina. Freshman Tyrell Miller is expected to fill the starting job, as he subbed in for James last week, and he will definitely be someone to keep an eye on during the game.

Defensive back Zavier Mincey is probable after becoming a late scratch against the Gamecocks.

Alabama will be without edge rushers Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu for the second consecutive week.

Alabama at Mississippi State Game Information

Who: No. 7 Alabama (4-0, 2-0 SEC) at No. 16 Mississippi State (4-0, 2-0 SEC)

When: 11 a.m. CT

Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi (61,337)

Weather: The forecast projects temperatures in the low 80s at kickoff, but there will be a small bump in degrees as the game goes on. Earlier in the week, rain was expected to be a factor in this one, and while a shower is unlikely but still possible, the skies are expected to remain cloudy throughout.

Officials: Adam Savoie (Referee), Stan Weihe (Umpire), Adam Savoie (Referee), Ralph Green (Head Linesman), Nicholas Theriot (Line Judge), John Morton (Back Judge), Antonio Smith (Field Judge), Josh Aragon (Side Judge), Lee Hedrick (Center Judge) and Mitchell Wilkins (Replay Official)

Game Captains: Zabien Brown, Bray Hubbard, Ryan Coleman-Williams (Alabama); Amaree Williams, DJ Chester, Jett Jefferson (Mississippi State)

Series: Alabama leads 88-17-3, 34-7-1 on the road

Current streak: Alabama has won the last 16 meetings (2007 was its last loss)

Last Meeting: Sept. 30, 2023, in Starkville, Mississippi, Alabama won 40-17

How to Watch, Listen to Alabama at Mississippi State

TV: ABC (Play-By-Play: Sean McDonough, Analyst: Greg McElroy, Sideline: Katie George)

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts, Sideline: Damion Square, Host: Roger Hoover)

SiriusXM: 229 (Alabama), 84 (Mississippi State)

Betting Odds for Alabama at Mississippi State

Spread: Alabama -5.5

Over/Under: 60.5 points

This is will be updated throughout the game

Source: FanDuel Sportsbook

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Keys to the Game: Alabama at Mississippi State

Alabama must find a way to end these Mississippi State streaks: Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor has thrown for 3-plus touchdowns in each game this season, and running back Fluff Bothwell has rushed for at least 100 yards in the past three contests.

Can the Crimson Tide win the turnover battle? What does Alabama need to do to limit explosive plays? That and more in the storylines we're watching.

Can Keelon Russell outduel Kamario Taylor? Will Alabama's wide receivers break away from Mississippi State's highly touted cornerback duo? That and more in the matchups that will decide this Week 5 game.

Depth Chart: Alabama at Mississippi State

Alabama Depth Chart

Offense

Quarterback: Keelon Russell, Austin Mack, Jett Thomalla
Running Back: Daniel Hill, Trae'shawn Brown, OR, Kevin Riley, OR, EJ Crowell, OR AK Dear
WR (Z): Rico Scott, Cederian Morgan, Noah Rogers
WR (X): Ryan Coleman-Williams, Derek Meadows
WR (H): Lotzeir Brooks, Tyler Henderson
TE (Y): Kaleb Edwards, OR, Josh Ford, OR, Danny Lewis Jr.
TE (H): Marshall Pritchett, Jay Lindsey, Mack Sutters
LT: Jackson Lloyd, Tyrell Miller
LG: William Sanders, Mal Waldrep Jr., Kayden Strayhorn
C: Racin Delgatty, Casey Poe
RG: Michael Carroll, Ethan Fields
RT: Jayvin James (OUT) Tyrell Miller will start in his place, Nick Brooks

Defense

Bandit: Devan Thompkins, Fatutoa Henry
NT: Terrance Green, London Simmons, OR, Isaia Faga
DT: Kedrick Bingley-Jones, OR, Devan Thompkins, Edric Hill
Wolf: Yhonzae Pierre, Jah-Marien Latham
Stinger: Luke Metz, QB Reese, Abduall Sanders Jr.
Mike: Caleb Woodson, Xavier Griffin
CB: Zabien Brown, Zyan Gibson
CB: Dijon Lee Jr., Carmelo O'Neal
FS: Bray Hubbard, Zavier Mincey
SS: Keon Sabb, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., OR, Ivan Taylor
Husky: Red Morgan, Chuck McDonald III, OR, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.

Special Teams

Kickoff/place kicker: Lorcan Quinn, OR, Conor Talty
Holder: Alex Asparuhov
Punter: Alex Asparuhov, Adam Watford, OR, Anderson Green
Snapper: Ethan Stangle, OR, Alex Rozier
Punt Return: Ryan Coleman-Williams, OR, Dijon Lee Jr., OR, Rico Scott
Kick Return: Lotzeir Brooks, OR, Trae'shawn Brown, OR, Dijon Lee Jr.

Mississippi State Depth Chart

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