History of Alabama vs Mississippi State series
Geographically the closest rivalry for Alabama is Mississippi State, not Auburn. Starkville is less than 90 miles from Tuscaloosa while Auburn is close to 160 miles. Even though Alabama and Mississippi State are the closest geographically it has not transferred into a heated rivalry. The biggest reason for that is Alabama has dominated the series. Alabama leads the series with a 78-18-3 record. I lived in Mississippi a few years and many Mississippi State fans adopt Alabama as a second favorite team because of proximity and Alabama's winning history. Yes, State fans would love to beat Alabama and be on the same level year in and year out, but there is very little hostility in this rivalry. This is as close as you will get to a friendly rivalry in the SEC. Below is a game by game look at the series provided by Wikipedia.
Alabama has played Mississippi State more than any other team. This will be the 100th meeting. Auburn and Mississippi State are the longest continuing series against Alabama as they have played each other every year since 1948.
Most notable games;
1956 - This game was historical in that Alabama ended a 20 game winless streak. It was homecoming and Alabama entered the game with an 0-4 record while Mississippi State entered the game with a 3-2 record. It looked like Mississippi State would continue Alabama's winless streak as the Maroons (changed nickname to Bulldogs in 1961) took a 12-0 lead in the first quarter. Alabama cut into the lead in the second quarter on a 46-yard Clay Walls touchdown pass to Jimmy Bowdoin to make the score 12-6 after a missed extra point. Clay Walls would score on a one yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and the extra point was good and Alabama held on the beat Mississippi State 13-12.
1980 - This game is considered by many as the biggest win in Mississippi State history. Alabama entered the game ranked #1 and was the two time defending national champion with a 28 game winning streak. The Bulldog defense shut down the Crimson Tide wishbone attack that day only allowing 116 yards rushing. Mississippi State led 6-3 as Alabama drove down to the Bulldog 4 yard line with under a minute remaining in the game. Mississippi State would force a fumble and recover the ball the seal the biggest win in Mississippi State history at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi.
1981 - The first top ten matchup between Alabama and Mississippi State took place in 1981 when the 7th ranked Bulldogs took on the 8th ranked Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. This would be another defensive battle as Alabama would beat Mississippi State 13-10 in a nail biter.
2014 - For the first time in school history Mississippi State was ranked #1 as they traveled to take on #5 ranked Alabama in the second top ten meeting all time between the two schools. This was considered the biggest game in Mississippi State football history. Alabama would jump out to a 19-0 second quarter lead before a Mississippi State field goal would narrow the lead to 19-3 at halftime. State would tack on another field goal in the third quarter to make the score 19-6 heading into the fourth quarter. Mississippi State would make it a one possession game with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to cut the Tide lead to 19-13. But Alabama would respond with a 15 play 76 yard drive that ended with a 7 yard TJ Yeldon touchdown run to extend the lead to 25-13. Alabama would fail on the two point conversion. The Bulldogs would score a touchdown in the final minute to close the scoring and Alabama would come away with a 25-20 victory.
Alabama will look to extend their current eight game winning streak against Mississippi State this Saturday.
