Rising College Football Contender Set to Plummet in New Rankings After Ugly Loss
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- Mississippi State, previously undefeated and ranked No. 16, suffered a heavy 56-23 home loss to No. 7 Alabama, exposing weaknesses in their offense and defense.
- Alabama dominated the game with a strong defense limiting Mississippi State to 18 rushing yards and quarterback Keelon Russell accounting for four touchdowns, improving Alabama's record to 5-0.
- Mississippi State's quarterback Kamario Taylor threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns but also had two interceptions and struggled under pressure, contributing to the team's offensive struggles.
- The loss is expected to result in a significant drop for Mississippi State in the upcoming AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll rankings, with some voters potentially removing them from the top 25 entirely.
- Despite the setback, Mississippi State remains in postseason contention but faces a challenging schedule ahead, including games against LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas, which will be critical for their season's success.
