An undefeated Mississippi State, ranked a staggering No. 16 in the nation, is staring down No. 7 Alabama this Saturday in what feels like one of the biggest games Starkville has seen in years. This isn’t just another Saturday showdown, this is a moment where the Bulldogs could finally flip the script on a losing streak against the Crimson Tide that stretches all the way back to 2007. Yeah, seriously, star quarterback Kamario Taylor was a baby back then.
Starkville Is Absolutely Electric Right Now
Look, when you’re undefeated and crack the top 20, especially at No. 16, things get wild. This is the program’s highest ranking since 2022, and the energy around head coach Jeff Lebby’s squad is absolutely surging. You know it’s a huge deal when Mississippi State’s athletic director, Zac Selmon, says it’s “Probably the biggest (game) I can remember just because of all the other stuff we have going into it.” He’s not wrong. It’s a sell-out crowd for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff, getting that national game treatment on ABC, and a country music star is even performing the night before. This isn’t just football, it’s an event. Football general manager Marc Votteler hit it right on the head, “This place is buzzing like it hasn’t in a long time.”
Recruits Are Suddenly Knocking Down the Doors
That buzz? It’s translating directly into results, especially where it counts for the future: recruiting. Votteler, who runs the recruiting and personnel operations, has seen a total shift. Remember Lebby’s 2-10 debut in 2024? Recruits weren’t exactly lining up then. Now? All the recruit tickets for this Alabama game were gone by midweek. Top options who acted like they weren’t interested before are now reaching out, asking if they can come to games. Votteler even joked about it, saying, “We kind of laugh about it now like ‘Oh, now you want to come visit?’ But it’s what you build for, man.” After State’s 31-24 win over a ranked Missouri team last weekend, a good collection of recruits saw the light, and another group is expected for this massive matchup. This isn’t just about winning games, it’s about building a program that everyone wants to be a part of.
Can the Bulldogs Finally End the Alabama Torture?
This game isn’t just about an undefeated start or a national ranking, it’s about exorcising some serious demons. Mississippi State hasn’t beaten Alabama since November 10, 2007. Think about that for a second. That was the *first year* of the Nick Saban era! This Bulldog team is on its fifth different head coach since Sylvester Croom. They’ve had heartbreakers along the way, too. A 25-20 loss in 2014 when State was the No. 1 team in the country? Devastating. Or in 2017, when Jalen Hurts snatched a victory with a game-winning touchdown with just 25 seconds left, crushing the home crowd. A win this Saturday would not only be their first 5-0 start since that famous 2014 season with Dak Prescott, but it would finally be the moment they take down an opponent that has absolutely tortured them for far too long. This is the chance, folks. This is the moment.
Saturday, the Bulldogs have a chance to not just beat No. 7 Alabama, but to rewrite history and really put the college football world on notice. Can they do it? You gotta watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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