Kickoff time set: Alabama at Mississippi State — 11 a.m. CT on Oct. 3

# Overview Alabama will play at Mississippi State on Saturday, Oct. 3, with kickoff scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Central Time. ABC will broadcast the SEC matchup. The announcement confirms the time and network for a game both programs enter undefeated.

# Broadcast and kickoff ABC will carry the game nationally. The 11 a.m. kickoff is an early start by SEC standards and shifts the usual game-day routine for fans and teams. If you plan to watch live on television, set your DVR or streaming app for ABC and verify local listings for any regional pregame coverage.

# Where each team stands now At the time the kickoff was announced both Alabama and Mississippi State were undefeated. Alabama's immediate next game before traveling to Starkville is against South Carolina. Mississippi State's next opponent is Missouri.

# Recent meeting between the teams The last time these two met in Starkville was the 2023 matchup, which ended with Alabama defeating Mississippi State 40–17. That result is the most recent head-to-head score noted in the announcement.

# What to watch in the matchup

• Early kickoff factors: An 11 a.m. start can affect routines, preparation windows, and weather conditions. Expect different warmup and pregame timelines than for evening games.
• Team form: Both squads are undefeated, so look for how each team's strengths and tendencies developed through their early-season opponents.

# Schedule context and immediate lead-ins Alabama faces South Carolina before making the trip to Mississippi State. Mississippi State plays Missouri next. Fans tracking travel plans, tailgating, or local viewing parties should account for the early kickoff time when making arrangements.

# Bottom line This is an early-afternoon national window for two undefeated SEC programs. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on ABC on Oct. 3. The matchup follows Alabama's game with South Carolina and Mississippi State's game with Missouri, and the most recent meeting in Starkville ended 40–17 in Alabama's favor in 2023.

Published: September 21, 2026. Author: Justin Smith.