Alabama Football 2026: Previewing the Mississippi State Offense

Mississippi State Bulldogs' head coach Jeff Lebby, who previously held various roles at Baylor, UCF, and Ole Miss, has taken over the team this season. The Bulldogs are currently on a roll, scoring an impressive 43 points per game as they face Alabama. The emergence of sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor has been a key factor in the team's success.

With his impressive arm strength, speed, and ability to make deep throws, Taylor has already accumulated 1,200 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 185 rushing yards in just four games. He is quickly becoming the focal point of national attention for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs' offensive line has struggled with pass protection, allowing Taylor to take advantage of these weaknesses. His deep-ball capability has been particularly effective, and he has found his favorite target in receiver Anthony Evans, who has 408 receiving yards this season. Another key contributor is running back Fluff Bothwell, who has transferred from South Alabama and is already averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Bothwell's ability to break tackles and find large gains has added another dimension to the Bulldogs' offense.

However, Alabama's defense has shown vulnerability against deep balls in recent games, and they have struggled to effectively counter Mississippi State's run-first approach. The Bulldogs' Veer-and-Shoot offense, spearheaded by Taylor, could pose a significant challenge for Alabama's defense. If the Bulldogs continue to perform as they have been, they may be able to put up 31-34 points on Alabama, making for an exciting and high-scoring game.