Alabama vs. Mississippi State: Winners & Losers as Crimson Tide Quiet Kamario Taylor Hype in Week 5

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Heading into Week 5 of the college football schedule, a matchup many had circled was the SEC clash between Alabama and Mississippi State. It was the first big ranked test of 2026 for Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer in what is a highly pressurized third season. And unfamiliar football fans were going to get the chance to see much hyped Bulldogs QB Kamario Taylor on a national stage.

However, after three quarters it was clear that Taylor and Mississippi were not yet ready to become a new powerhouse in the conference as Alabama smacked them around en route to a dominant win on Saturday afternoon. We now look at the biggest winners and losers from today’s Alabama vs. Mississippi State game.

Winner: Keelon Russell

Heading into Saturday’s game, the Mississippi State QB was getting all of the attention after an outstanding start to the season. The sophomore has been so impressive that he was even getting buzz as a Heisman Trophy favorite. Well, Alabama’s Keelon Russell reminded everyone that there were two sophomore quarterbacks playing in this game.

The Crimson Tide QB1 was highly efficient as he hit on 16 of his 22 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns to no interceptions. He also added another TD on the ground. Russell led a very good showing for the offense in Week 5 and demanded that more college football analysts put respect on his name as well.

Loser: Kamario Taylor

mississippi state — Sep 26, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) hands the ball off to running back Fluff Bothwell (24) during the fourth quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Many around the sport thought this might be the day when Taylor becomes a household name. Well, Alabama’s defense was not having it. They battered the young QB throughout the day (5 sacks) to the point that a lower-leg injury forced him out of the game in the fourth quarter.

While he threw for 258 yards and three more TDs, he also had two interceptions and a fumble. Some of his miscues on Saturday were head-scratching and showed experts around the sport need to cool down the Kamario Taylor Heisman talk in 2026.

Winner: Alabama’s Defense

As mentioned above, Alabama’s defense quieted the hype about Taylor in Week 5. Yes, they gave up over 20 points, but for those tuning in to watch the Mississippi State QB for the first time, they left wondering if he was overhyped. The Crimson Tide defense recorded 5 sacks, 2 INTs, and an interception return for a TD. In their first major test of 2026, the defense had a pretty good day against a top signal caller.

Loser: Jeff Lebby

In his third season as head coach at Mississippi State, Jeff Lebby’s program rebuild was finally delivering positive results. Things were going so well that it looked like he had a Heisman contender and a team that might make the college football playoff after going 5-8 in 2025. But they needed to get a W against Alabama on Saturday.

They came nowhere close as his team was soundly smacked around at home by the Crimson Tide as they gave up over 50 points. They played sloppy, unfocused, and seemed unprepared for the national spotlight. Mississippi State is on the rise, but they aren’t a serious team yet.

Winner: Anthony Evans III

While it was a pretty miserable day for Mississippi State, there was one bright spot. And that was wide receiver Anthony Evans III. In the biggest game of his career, he had the best game of his career. Tallying 166 receiving yards and 2 TDs, including a 45-yard bomb, in a frustrating loss in Week 5.

Most of the Bulldogs should hang their heads following Saturday’s game. Evans III isn’t one of them.

Loser: Daniel Hill

Sep 19, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams (1) and Alabama running back Daniel Hill (4) celebrate Coleman-Williams’ touchdown at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Florida State 50-36. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

Alabama running back Daniel Hill entered Week 5 as the team’s leading rusher. However, he had a nightmare day on Saturday. The junior had just 22 yards on five carries because DeBoer couldn’t trust handing him the ball after two fumbles — one lost — against Mississippi State.

He should definitely be worried about his snaps in the weeks ahead after a rough performance this weekend.

Winner: Kalen DeBoer

Sep 26, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer looks up at a video board to see a replay of an Alabama touchdown at Saban Field at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

As mentioned above, there is a ton of pressure on the Alabama head coach. Winning 11 games and a college football playoff game in 2025 should have cooled the heat in Tuscaloosa. However, after close to two decades with the greatest college football coach of all time, expectations are absurd in Alabama.

However, in the team’s first big test of 2026, the Crimson Tide crushed the competition and has a case to move into the top five of the college football rankings after Week 5.

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