Alabama at Mississippi State: Unbeaten SEC Teams Meet on ABC
The short version
- Alabama (4-0, 2-0) visits Mississippi State (4-0, 2-0) on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. local time on ABC.
- Alabama right tackle Jayvin James is out, while Mississippi State misses DL Trevion Williams and LB Zakari Tillman; Ryan Williams wore a knee brace in warmups.
- MSU safety Isaac Smith and running back Fluff Bothwell are dealing with injuries but on track to play.
- FanDuel makes Alabama a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 60.5.
- Thunderstorm risk in Starkville has fallen away; expect clouds and a high near 84.
The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs are each 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the SEC ahead of Saturday's game in Starkville, which kicks off at 11 a.m. local time on ABC.
Two undefeated SEC programs share the field on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, when the Alabama Crimson Tide visit the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville, Mississippi. Both teams sit at 4-0 overall and 2-0 in league play, meaning the winner moves to 3-0 in the conference. It is the fifth game of the season for each side. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. local time (noon Eastern), and the game will air on ABC.
The telecast airs on ABC, where Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy will handle the commentary and Katie George will report from the sideline. Listeners on the Alabama radio broadcast will hear Chris Stewart and Tyler Watts.
Jeff Lebby guides Mississippi State in his third campaign as a head coach. His career ledger reads 11-18 overall, with a 3-15 mark in SEC action.
Alabama's availability picture carries several uncertainties. Wide receiver Ryan Williams was seen wearing a knee brace during morning warmups, and no reason was given. Right tackle Jayvin James has been ruled out, with Tyrell Miller in line to take his place, while reserve defensive back Zavier Mincey will have his status determined close to kickoff, according to the pregame report.
Mississippi State has absences of its own. Defensive lineman Trevion Williams will sit after leaving on a cart during the Bulldogs' Sept. 19 victory at South Carolina, and linebacker Zakari Tillman, who carried a questionable designation into the week, also will not play. Safety Isaac Smith and running back Fluff Bothwell, both starters, are nursing knocks but are anticipated to suit up.
As conference play intensifies, Yahoo Sports' preview frames the game around the two quarterbacks and suggests the opposition only gets stronger from here for the Crimson Tide. Mississippi State landed in this week's rankings, a spot the preview calls unexpected — though earned. Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor is touted as an emerging standout with three gifted targets — Anthony Evans, Sanfrisco Magee and Marquis Johnson — capable of testing Alabama's defensive backs. The Tide counter with a potent offense of their own, while Mississippi State's pass coverage has been leaky at times in 2026.
The trip is the second road game of the season for Alabama, whose earlier away outing came in Lexington, Kentucky. The preview expects a harsher reception this time, pointing to the ringing artificial noisemakers that spectators are permitted to use at Mississippi State's home games.
The weather picture has brightened in Starkville. Forecasts earlier in the day had raised the possibility of thunderstorms, but that threat has faded to nearly zero, leaving mostly cloudy skies and a high temperature around 84 degrees.
In the betting market, FanDuel now lists Alabama as a 5.5-point favorite, and the over/under for the contest sits at 60.5 points.
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