This was back when SEC games were just one of several regional games to air on ABC in the 3:30PM time slot. In 1996 they went to CBS so games like this one could have an exclusive national audience in that window instead of being one of 4 or maybe 5 regional games to air at the same time on ABC. This game was only shown in maybe 10-12% of the country. SEC going to CBS changed the whole ballgame for their conference.
Alabama would not win again in Starkville until 2003 - Jackie Sherrill's last year at Mississippi State. The funny thing about Mississippi State under Sherrill is that they always played well at home. That small stadium - 40,000 at the time - could be loud and imposing. But they lost some games on the road against mediocre opponents. That made the difference in having very good teams under Sherrill vs great or championship type teams.