Alabama–Mississippi State football rivalry
The Alabama–Mississippi State football rivalry, also known as the 90 Mile Drive or the Battle for Highway 82, is an American college football rivalry between the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and Mississippi State Bulldogs football team of Mississippi State University. Both universities are founding members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and are currently members of the SEC's Western Division. The two campuses are located approximately 90 miles apart and are the two geographically closest SEC universities.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
| |
| First meeting | November 14, 1896 Alabama, 20–0 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | September 30, 2023 Alabama, 40–17 |
| Next meeting | TBD |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 108 |
| All-time series | 86–18–3 Alabama leads 88–17–3 on the field, but two wins were vacated or forfeited. |
| Largest victory | Alabama, 59–0 (1922) |
| Longest win streak | Alabama, 22 (1958–1979) |
| Current win streak | Alabama, 16 (2008–present) |
In 1935, MSU Coach Major Ralph Sasse, on "orders" from his team, went to Memphis, Tennessee, to select the first bulldog mascot. Ptolemy, a gift of the Edgar Webster family, was chosen and the Bulldogs promptly defeated Alabama 20–7.
Alabama–Mississippi State is one of the Southeastern Conference's longest-running series, dating back to 1896. Mississippi State is Alabama's most played opponent, while Alabama is MSU's third most played team behind Ole Miss and LSU. Aside from the Alabama–Ole Miss football rivalry, it also has been one of the league's most lopsided with Alabama leading the series 86–18–3 through the 2023 season.