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By Reice Shipley
Contributing Sports Writer
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Several SEC programs have emerged as true national championship contenders early on in the 2026 college football season. But according to former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, one SEC program has clearly emerged as the "surprise" team of the conference.
One of the more intriguing games in Week 3 of the college football season comes out of the SEC when the Missouri Tigers head to Starkville, Mississippi to take on the No. 24 ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday night.
Both teams come into the game without any blemishes on their record. And according to Nick Saban, one of the team's within this high-profile matchup may very well be the dark-horse team to watch out for in the SEC.
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On ESPN's College GameDay, Saban not only picked Mississippi State to keep their undefeated season alive with a win over Missouri. But Saban also called the Bulldogs the "surprise" team of the SEC.
"I think they’re gonna be the surprise of the league," said Saban, via Mike Rodak of 247 Sports.
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It's easy to understand why Saban holds Mississippi State in such high regard on paper. Early on in the season, Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor has emerged both as a true Heisman Trophy candidate, but potentially even a name to watch as an NFL Draft prospect when he first becomes draft-eligible in 2028.
Only time will tell whether the Bulldogs will ultimately live up to the high praise that Saban has placed on them. But they will certainly be put to the test both this week and in weeks to come as their conference schedule starts to get more and more difficult.
Following their Week 4 clash against Missouri, Mississippi State is set to face four SEC opponents ranked inside the top ten of the latest AP Poll. So it will soon be quite clear where the Bulldogs stand in perhaps the toughest conference in the country.
Mississippi State will face off against the Missouri Tigers on Saturday at 7:45 EST on the SEC Network.
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