Mississippi State ranks in AP Top 25 despite blowout loss to Alabama

Mississippi State remains in the AP Top 25 at No. 10, despite a 56-23 loss to Alabama on October 3, 2026. The defeat raises questions about their ranking amidst a competitive SEC, with experts differing on criteria used for selection., Mississippi State's loss is viewed as less damaging compared to other teams in the conference, aiding their top-10 status. The voting process allows for significant flexibility, complicating evaluations of teams with similar records. The focus now shifts to the impact of these rankings on upcoming games.

• 9:30 PMYahoo Sports — Inside Greg Luca's AP Top 25 ballot: How could Mississippi State move up after a blowout loss?