A game-by-game look at MSU's 2026 schedule
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Mississippi State’s season is creeping closer.
Last season was an improvement for the Bulldogs. After a 2-10 campaign in Jeff Lebby’s first season, the Bulldogs went 5-7, won their first SEC game in two years and reached their first bowl game in three.
However, State will have to face the sixth-toughest schedule in the country in 2026, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. Another step forward will not come easily.
Sept. 5 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
MSU’s opener will also be its seventh ever matchup against the Warhawks. The teams last played in 1997 in Starkville, and the Bulldogs won 24-10.
Louisiana-Monroe finished 2025 ranked 131st out of 136 FBS teams in FPI. The Warhawks went 3-9 overall and 1-7 in the Sun Belt Conference. They return quarterback Aidan Armenta for his third season.
Sept. 12 at Minnesota
The Bulldogs hit the road for a mid-afternoon showdown with the Gophers in Minneapolis.
Minnesota has been a stable program under 10th-year coach P.J. Fleck. The Gophers have won at least eight games and reached a bowl game in four of the last five seasons. They return a talented running back in Darius Taylor, quarterback Drake Lindsey and their top tackler in linebacker Maverick Baranowski.
These teams have never faced each other.
Sept. 19 at South Carolina
Cue "Sandstorm." Mississippi State’s conference opener takes it east to Williams-Brice Stadium. It will be the teams’ first showdown since 2023 and just their second in the last 10 years.
The Gamecocks underwhelmed last season but still possess talented pieces capable of giving State fits. LaNorris Sellers, though raw, is a very talented quarterback and will get his top target, the uber-athletic Nyck Harbor, back for another rodeo. Edge rusher Dylan Stewart will be a big test for an offensive line that needs an improved season.
Sept. 26 vs. Missouri
Here lies State’s first chance at a get-back.
These two teams faced off in Columbia last November with the Tigers rolling to a 49-27 win. Mississippi native Ahmad Hardy rumbled for 300 yards on the ground and is back this year. The Tigers forced five sacks and 13 tackles-for-loss that night.
Whether Hardy plays again is up in the air after he was shot during the offseason, and the Tigers' defense has no returning starters. However, there’s plenty of reason to think Eli Drinkwitz can restock the war chest in some way.
Oct. 3 vs. Alabama
These teams have played each other 107 times, with Alabama leading 86-18-3. The Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide have not faced off in three years, but before that, they played each other for 76 straight years. The two will get reacclimated over the coming years as annual opponents through 2029.
Alabama is fresh off an 11-4 campaign (7-1 SEC) that ended in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Questions do surround the program heading into Year 3 under Kalen DeBoer. The roster includes a lot of new faces, but receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and safety Keon Sabb should be recognizable.
Oct. 10 BYE
Oct. 17 at LSU
Mississippi State’s first test coming off the bye week? Death Valley.
Lane Kiffin is the new man in charge in Baton Rouge, and he’s brought in one of the better recruiting classes in the country in hopes to win big right away. That haul includes former Ole Miss Rebels in defensive lineman Princewill Umanmielen and offensive lineman Devin Harper.
The Tigers’ offense has plenty to work with, too. First-year coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. will get Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt under center.
Oct. 24 vs. Oklahoma
The Sooners boasted the best defense in the SEC – and arguably the best in the country – a season ago. They led the conference in points allowed per game (15.5), total yards per game (272.5) and sacks (45). This season, they bring back their leader in tackles in Kip Lewis and their top pass rusher, Taylor Wein.
QB John Mateer is giving reason to believe he can take a big step forward in Year 2 in Norman. His leading receiver, Isaiah Setegna III, nearly eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards last year, and the offensive line returns three starters.
Oct. 31 at Texas
Mississippi State will be seeing a lot of orange on Halloween, but it won’t be pumpkins.
The Longhorns head into 2026 with one of the most talented rosters in America. Arch Manning got better as last season went on and is hoping to build on the momentum. His team has supplied him and coach Steve Sarkisian with a bevy of weapons (like wide receiver Cam Coleman and running backs Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers) to compliment a strong line and an equally talented defense.
This could be another revenge spot for the Bulldogs. They held a 17-point lead over Texas in the fourth quarter before losing in overtime last October.
Nov. 7 vs. Vanderbilt
Mississippi State’s other annual opponent (not named Ole Miss) will be experiencing life after Diego Pavia.
In his place will be Jared Curtis, a five-star freshman from Nashville ranked by 247sports as the top quarterback and the second-best player in the Class of 2026. Last year’s top running back, Sedrick Alexander, and top receiver, Junior Sherrill, could help him ease into the role.
Nov. 14 vs. Auburn
Year 1 of the Alex Golesh Era on The Plains continues for the Tigers with a visit to Davis Wade Stadium, their first since 2022.
Auburn has just two returning starters in running back Jeremiah Cobb and linebacker Xavier Atkins. The rest are a collection of transfers, including former USF quarterback Byrum Brown.
Nov. 21 vs. Tennessee Tech
In its home finale, State welcomes the Golden Eagles to Starkville for the first ever meeting between the teams.
Tennessee Tech went 11-2 last season, winning the Ohio Valley Conference with an 8-0 record and reaching the first round of the FCS playoffs. The program has since moved to the Southern Conference.
Nov. 27 at Ole Miss
State travels to Oxford on Black Friday for the 121st meeting between the in-state rivals.
Ole Miss is coming off one of its best seasons ever, going 13-2 and reaching the College Football Playoff semifinal. The Rebels bring back quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy, defensive lineman Will Echoles and more talented players for first-year head coach Pete Golding.
The Rebels have won three straight meetings and five of the last six. They lead the all-time series 67-47-6.
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