As the director of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Rick Cleveland has forgotten more about the history of football in the Magnolia State than most could hope to learn in a lifetime.

He seemed like the perfect person with whom to discuss this weekend’s monumental showdown between Mississippi State and Alabama, and he did not disappoint in providing context to this weekend’s game.

Let’s cut right to the chase:

There’s no doubt that, heading into it, this is the biggest game in Mississippi State history. There’s so much at stake. You’ve got an undefeated season, national championship implications and Heisman Trophy implications.

Those are strong words from a man who has seen more Mississippi State football than most. The Bulldogs have already achieved their first ever 9-0 record this season, and are seeking their first undefeated season, first national title and first Heisman Trophy winner in Dak Prescott.

Cleveland hinted that this has been the best MSU football season of all-time, making this Saturday’s game the biggest game in school history, but he added a caveat most might find interesting.

I sort of agree with Mississippi State A.D. Scott Stricklin who says, “Let’s see what happens before we call it the biggest game in school history.”

What does that mean? It means fans love to remember the great wins and love to forget the heartbreaking losses. Cleveland explained by using two examples from Mississippi State’s series with Alabama through the years.

By far the most memorable (game) from a Mississippi State standpoint was 1980 when Bear Bryant’s Crimson Tide was ranked No. 1, had won 26 straight SEC games, 27 straight games overall and had defeated State 22 straight times. State, a 20-point underdog, won 6-3. It was probably State’s greatest football victory ever.

To clarify, the Bulldogs finished the 1980 season with a 9-3 record. It was far from Mississippi State’s greatest season ever, and the showdown with Alabama had nowhere near the hype leading up to it that this weekend’s showdown has. Nevertheless, it remains on the short list of great moments in Mississippi State history.

On the other end of the spectrum, you have the last time State went to Tuscaloosa, which was 2012. The Bulldogs were 7-0, nationally ranked and sporting “We believe!” T-shirts and bumper stickers. Bama won 38-7 and it was just that one-sided.

Even though the game was just two years ago and remains entrapped in the memories of many MSU fans, it’s hardly ever talked about or regarded for its historical significance. The point being, Saturday’s game is historic but it won’t be remembered as the biggest game in school history if MSU loses.

What about Mississippi State’s three-straight wins against top 10 teams earlier this season? MSU came out on top in all three games, so where do those stand among the great games in school history?

Those Auburn and LSU games were huge, no doubt. But Alabama fans will uunderstand this better than any one. Each time you win, and the later you go into the season, the games get bigger. Each time State has knocked off a Top 10 team this season — LSU, and then Texas A&M and then Auburn — the next one has been a little bit bigger because the stakes get higher. Obviously, this Saturday would be the biggest one yet.

I would tell you I think that LSU game was sort of a hump game for State. Winning at LSU after the way LSU has dominated them in recent years was huge.LSU had beaten State 14 straight times and most of those weren’t even close.

To add even more context to Cleveland’s assertion, LSU hadn’t just beaten Mississippi State 14 times overall from 2000-2013, but it had beaten MSU 11 straight times in Baton Rouge dating back to 1991. Mississippi State had lost 15 straight games to ranked opponents when it entered Death Valley in Week 4, and the win over LSU opened the floodgates for Mississippi State to begin its perfect run to No. 1.

As Cleveland put it, Saturday’s game could be the biggest in Mississippi State history. If MSU wins, it would certainly be the greatest win in program history. But if the Bulldogs lose, it will be just another disappointing loss added to a long list of disappointing losses throughout the years.

No game in State history has provided more possibilities. No game had this much at stake. 

So enjoy the moment Saturday, Clanga Nation. The entire season has been building to this.