Alabama football Week 5 opponent preview: Mississippi State Bulldogs

Alabama football Week 5 opponent preview: Mississippi State Bulldogs

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Alabama football Week 5 opponent preview: Mississippi State Bulldogs

This Saturday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to Starkville to face arguably their toughest test yet in the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Alabama's first ranked opponent this season, the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs have a lengthy series history that dates back to the late 1800's. The Crimson Tide have owned the series historically though with an 88-17-3 advantage all-time, and have won the last 16 meetings between the two dating back to 2008.

This latest matchup against Mississippi State will also be Alabama's first of the post-Saban era, with Kalen DeBoer set to face the Bulldogs for the first time ever this Saturday.

Here is everything you need to know about Mississippi State ahead of Saturday's undefeated matchup in Starkville.

Mississippi State Bulldogs 2026 overview

Sep 5, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; A detail view of a Mississippi State Bulldogs football helmet on the sidelines during the third quarter of a game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

  • Conference: SEC
  • Stadium: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi
  • Record: 4-0 overall (2-0 SEC)
  • Ranking: No. 16 in US LBM Coaches Poll, No. 16 in AP Poll

Mississippi State comes into Saturday undefeated at 4-0 overall (2-0 SEC), and as a result, are ranked the nation's No. 16 team. The Bulldogs own wins this season over UL Monroe and Missouri at home, as well as road victories at Minnesota and South Carolina.

Mississippi State Bulldogs 2026 coaching staff

Sep 5, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby looks on during the second quarter against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

  • Head Coach: Jeff Lebby
  • Defensive Coordinator: Zach Arnett

Jeff Lebby is in his third season as head coach at Mississippi State where he owns a combined record of 11-18. The Mississippi State head coach serves as the Bulldogs' primary offensive play caller, while Zach Arnett, who was head coach in Starkville prior to Lebby, is the defensive coordinator.

Mississippi State Bulldogs 2026 offensive stats

Sep 5, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Anthony Evans III (3) reacts after a first down catch during the first quarter against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

  • Points Per Game: 43 (No. 15 in FBS)
  • Total Yards Per Game: 533.3
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 315.5
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 217.8

Mississippi State's offense enters Week 5 averaging 43 points per game this season, while also leading the SEC at an average of 533.3 total yards a contest. The Bulldogs' 315.5 passing yards per game also ranks No. 2 in the SEC, while Mississippi State on the ground ranks fifth in the conference.

Mississippi State Bulldogs 2026 defensive stats

Sep 26, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Kelley Jones (1) reacts after a defensive stop during the first quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

  • Points Per Game Allowed: 21 (No. 53 in FBS)
  • Total Yards Per Game Allowed: 353.8
  • Passing Yards Per Game Allowed: 249
  • Rushing Yards Per Game Allowed: 104.8

The Mississippi State defense is allowing 21 points a game to opponents, a number which ranks around the middle in the SEC. Mississippi State's defense is also allowing 353.8 total yards per game to opponents, as well as 249 a contest through the air, a number which ranks worst in the SEC.

Mississippi State Bulldogs 2026 offensive players to know

Sep 19, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) passes against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

  • Kamario Taylor, Quarterback, Sophomore
  • Anthony Evans III, Wide Receiver, Senior
  • Fluff Bothwell, Running Back, Junior
  • Sanfrisco Magee, Wide Receiver, Redshirt Sophomore
  • Marquis Johnson, Wide Receiver, Senior

The Bulldogs are led offensively by star quarterback Kamario Taylor, a sophomore who is currently leading college football with 14 passing touchdowns so far this season. Anthony Evans III and Sanfrisco Magee also led the SEC in receptions and receiving touchdowns, respectively, while Fluff Bothwell is the Bulldogs' go-to running back.

Mississippi State Bulldogs 2026 defensive players to know

Sep 5, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Jalen Smith (10) reacts after a tackle during the first quarter against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

  • Tyler Lockhart, Linebacker, Sophomore
  • Jalen Smith, Linebacker, Redshirt Junior
  • Jardin Gilbert, Safety, Sixth-Year Senior
  • Amaree Williams, Edge Rusher, Junior
  • Jett Jefferson, Cornerback, Redshirt Freshman

Leading the Bulldog defense in tackles is the linebacker duo of Jalen Smith and Tyler Lockhart with 28 and 26 total, respectively. Jett Jefferson, a redshirt freshman cornerback, also leads college football with seven pass defenses, while teammate Kelley Jones is right behind him as well.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football Week 5 opponent preview: Mississippi State Bulldogs

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