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

Everything you want to know about the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs, from football injuries and the depth chart down to the weather forecast at Davis Wade Stadium.
Hunter De Siver|
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Jireh Edwards (10) and Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman London Simmons (90) celebrate late in the fourth quarter during the Tides’ 45-17 win Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Jireh Edwards (10) and Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman London Simmons (90) celebrate late in the fourth quarter during the Tides’ 45-17 win Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

In this story:

Alabama Crimson Tide

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.

Follow along for updates from Starkville! Be sure to refresh your browser often, as the most recent events will be placed below this paragraph.

Alabama at Mississippi State Scoring, Breakdown

Fourth Quarter:

  • Alabama's reserves are playing the rest of this one out. Quarterback Austin Mack's first throw of the drive was an 18-yard completion to wide receiver Noah Rogers. A little while later, Mack ran in from three yards out. The drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:26; Alabama 56, Mississippi State 23 (8:02 left in the fourth quarter).
  • Live look at Mississippi State's student section after Alabama's last touchdown:
  • Keelon Russell finds Rico Scott in the end zone (8-yard catch) for the second time. The score was made possible after Mississippi State ran into Alabama kicker Conor Talty on a field goal attempt, resetting the downs marker. The drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:30; Alabama 49, Mississippi State 23 (12:02 left in the fourth quarter).

End of the third quarter: Alabama 42, Mississippi State 23

Alabama at Mississippi State Stats After Three Quarters
Alabama at Mississippi State Stats After Three Quarters | StatBroadcast

Third Quarter:

  • Kamario Taylor finds Anthony Evans III yet again for a 45-yard score. It was on fourth-and-6 near midfield. The two-point attempt failed after a sack by Alabama DB Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. The drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:29; Alabama 42, Mississippi State 23 (2:38 left in the third quarter).
  • Kamario Taylor's pass goes right into Alabama linebacker Caleb Woodson's hands. Alabama took over just outside of the red zone, and a couple of plays later, Trae'shawn Brown found the end zone from eight yards out for the second time today. "Roll Tide" chants have broken out in Davis Wade after that touchdown. The drive: 3 plays, 21 yards, 1:21; Alabama 42, Mississippi State 17 (7:07 left in the third quarter).
  • Keelon Russell hits Rico Scott for 13-yard score. It was made possible by 25-yard and 33-yard catches by Scott and Kaleb Edwards earlier in the drive. The drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 5:20; Alabama 35, Mississippi State 17 (9:40 left in the third quarter).

Halftime: Alabama 28, Mississippi State 17

Alabama at Mississippi State Halftime Stats
Alabama at Mississippi State Halftime Stats | StatBroadcast

Halftime of the highly anticipated duel between Keelon Russell and Kamario Taylor:

  • Russell: 6 for 10, 133 yards, TD, 5 rush, 16 yards (includes three sacks), TD
  • Taylor: 16 of 29, 196 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 1 fumble, 3 rush, -19 yards (all sacks)

Second Quarter:

  • Kyle Ferrie hits from 32 yards out as the first half expires. The drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 1:56; Alabama 28, Mississippi State 17 (0:00 left in the second quarter).
  • Alabama freshman running back Trae'shawn Brown runs it in from seven yards out. He's up to nine carries for 50 yards (5.6 yards per rush) and that score. The touchdown was made possible after a third-and-medium 50-yard conversion between Russell and Brooks on a deep ball. The drive: 7 plays, 88 yards, 2:57; Alabama 28, Mississippi State 14 (1:56 left in the second quarter).
  • Keelon Russell scrambles for a 17-yard score on the first play of the second quarter. This was all made possible following a third-and-19 connection between Russell and wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks earlier in the drive. The drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:33; Alabama 21, Mississippi State 7 (14:53 left in the second quarter).

End of the First Quarter: Alabama 14, Mississippi State 7

Alabama at Mississippi State First Quarter Stats
Alabama at Mississippi State First Quarter Stats | StatBroadcast

First Quarter

  • Kamario Taylor finds Anthony Evans III for a 2-yard score after the quarterback committed two turnovers in as many drives. BamaCentral listed Mississippi State WR Anthony Evans III in one of our matchups (vs. Red Morgan and the Huskies) that will decide today's game. Evans has 7 receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown late in the first quarter. The drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:04; Alabama 14, Mississippi State 7 (3:26 left in the first quarter).
  • PICK-SIX: Dijon Lee picks off Kamario Taylor and takes it 30 yards to the house. What a start for Alabama; Alabama 14, Mississippi State 0 (8:30 left in the first quarter).
  • Keelon Russell finds a wide open Ryan Coleman-Williams near the sideline for a 15-yard score. The drive started following a fumble by Kamario Taylor, who seemed to just mishandle the ball in the pocket. The drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 3:30; Alabama 7, Mississippi State 0 (9:41 left in the first quarter).
  • Alabama wins the toss and defers to the second half.

Pregame Alabama at Mississippi State Updates

  • The cowbells reaches its loudest point when Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor's name was announced in the starting lineup.
  • Alabama's first-team offensive line in warmups: LT Jackson Lloyd, LG Will Sanders, C Racin Delgatty, RG Michael Carroll, RT Tyrell Miller – filling in for injured Jayvin James
  • Mississippi State comes out for warmups 45 minutes before kickoff with the cowbells RINGING
  • Alabama DB Zavier Mincey (probable on availability report) is warming up in uniform
  • Kalen DeBoer’s black hoodie of death has made it to Starkville
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.

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

Mississippi State Depth Chart vs. Alabama
Mississippi State Depth Chart vs. Alabama | Mississippi State

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Hunter De Siver
HUNTER DE SIVER

Hunter De Siver is the lead basketball writer for BamaCentral and has covered Crimson Tide football since 2024. He previously distributed stories about the NFL and NBA for On SI and was a staff writer for Missouri Tigers On SI and Cowbell Corner. Before that, Hunter generated articles highlighting Crimson Tide products in the NFL and NBA for BamaCentral as an intern in 2022 and 2023. Hunter is a graduate from the University of Alabama, earning a degree in sports media in 2023.

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