World War II was nearing its end the last time Mississippi State started a season 4-0 in back-to-back years.
Barack Obama was still eight months away from winning the Democratic nomination for president the last time the Bulldogs beat Alabama
And Dak Prescott was the quarterback in Starkville the last time the Maroons started 5-0.
So yeah, you can bet your bottom dollar that Stark Vegas will be living up to its nickname when the Crimson Tide rolls into town for a battle of SEC unbeatens Saturday afternoon.
Despite playing on the road in a hostile environment, No. 7 Alabama is a six-point favorite against No. 16 Mississippi State, and the Over/Under is set at a whopping 60.5 points.
Can the Bulldogs rewrite the script Saturday?
Mississippi State vs. Alabama odds, pick
There were signs last season that Jeff Lebby had Mississippi State on the right track.
The Bulldogs faded when their schedule stiffened up, but they still got to a bowl game and were one play away from upsetting Florida, Texas and Tennessee.
Perhaps the most notable development was that Lebby’s freshman quarterback, Kamario Taylor, excelled in a small sample size.
Well, it’s a bigger sample size now. Taylor has been the goods in 2026, throwing for 1,192 yards and 14 touchdowns (tied for the most in FBS) against just two interceptions in four games. Taylor’s Heisman odds are now down to +500, trailing only Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Miami’s Darian Mensah.
The defense has some work to do, but Taylor and this big-play offense have certainly bought some time for Zach Arnett’s unit.
The bend-but-don’t-break approach worked fine against South Carolina and Missouri, but the Bulldogs will need to be more assertive against Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide.
Alabama ranks seventh in offensive SP+ and is 11th in yards per play.
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Russell, like Taylor, has hardly put a foot wrong through four games, and his ability to keep defenses on their toes with his legs makes him a real challenge for a defense that is still trying to sort itself out.
The Alabama defense has delivered to this point, but Mississippi State’s quick-strike offense and the fact that the Tide have Georgia on deck make laying the six points on the road an unappealing proposition.
Instead, we’ll ride the wave and back the Over 60.5 points, as this thing could go ballistic at any moment.
The Play: Over 60.5 points (-110, DraftKings)
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Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
