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Expert prediction

NCAAF: #7 Alabama vs #16 Mississippi State Preview, Odds, Picks (Oct 3)

  • Keith McCarthy
  • Oct 1, 2026 at 9:34 PM EDT

Pick rationale

Analysis & key factors

  • Alabama took down South Carolina on Saturday, defeating them by a score of 49-18.
  • Mississippi State defeated #19 Missouri in a 31-24 thriller, climbing to 4-0 overall.
  • These two teams last faced met on September 30, 2023, in a game that Alabama won 40-17
  • Mississippi State Bulldogs +6.0

In this week’s Alabama vs Mississippi State matchup a pair of top SEC teams faces off in a top-20 matchup. The Crimson Tide are favored to win on the road but face a challenge against a rough Bulldogs team. The winner will rise to 5-0 and the top of the SEC.

Alabama Seeking to Rise into Top-5

Alabama is having the most early-season success in the Kalen DeBoer era as they’ve had so far this season, jumping out to a 4-0 start. That being said, the Crimson Tide also played an uncharacteristically easy first four games, not facing any ranked opponents prior to this week’s faceoff with Mississippi State. In order to continue their winning ways, Alabama will need to lock down on defense, after struggling to contain lesser opponents so far this season.

Mississippi State Eyes Massive Upset

Mississippi State has a huge opportunity in this game against Alabama. They host the Crimson Tide with a chance to climb to 5-0 overall and likely into the top-10 of the AP Rankings. The Bulldogs have looked sensational on offense so far this season, led by Sophomore QB Kamario Taylor, who ranks top-10 in the nation in QBR. Taylor’s dual threat ability will be dangerous against any team, though Mississippi State still has work to do on the defensive side of the ball.

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Alabama vs Mississippi State NCAAF Pick

Alabama and Mississippi State are both strong SEC teams with CFP aspirations. Alabama is a more balanced, capable team from an overall standpoint, but the Crimson Tide have not really been tested so far this season. Under Kalen DeBoer, Alabama has looked like a shell of their past selves. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have a ranked win over Missouri under the belt, home-field advantage, and one of the nation’s top QBs. Take Mississippi State to cover in this one.

Topics:

NCAAF

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