The 2026 Mississippi State football schedule opens at home against ULM on September 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Mississippi State Bulldogs face 12 regular-season games plus a potential SEC Championship appearance, with classic rivalries including the Battle for Highway 82 and the Egg Bowl.
Davis Wade Stadium hosts eight home dates on the 2026 Mississippi State football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in late October and early November with consecutive ranked road and home tests against Texas and Oklahoma.
2026 Mississippi State Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | ULM WarhawksDavis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS | 7:30pm ETESPNU | ||
| Saturday | at Minnesota Golden GophersHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 3:30pm ETCBS/Paramount+ | ||
| Saturday | at South Carolina GamecocksWilliams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC | 4:15pm ETSECN | ||
| Saturday | 25 Missouri TigersDavis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS | 6:00-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Battle for Highway 82 | ||||
| Saturday | 13 Alabama Crimson TideDavis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS | 12:00-1:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at 11 LSU TigersTiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA | 12:00-1:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | 10 Oklahoma SoonersDavis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS | 3:30-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 5 Texas LonghornsDKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX | 6:00-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Vanderbilt CommodoresDavis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS | 3:30-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Auburn TigersDavis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS | 12:00-1:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesDavis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS | 1:00pm ETSECN+ | ||
| Egg Bowl | ||||
| Friday | at 9 Ole Miss RebelsVaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS | 12:00pm ETABC | ||
| Saturday | vs SEC ChampionshipMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | 4:00pm ETABC | ||
How the 2026 Mississippi State Football Schedule Sets Up
September opens with a home game and early road tests on the 2026 Mississippi State Bulldogs Football schedule. ULM at home, a road trip to Minnesota, a road game at South Carolina, and #25 Missouri at home. That early stretch mixes manageable dates with early SEC challenges.
October brings the Battle for Highway 82 against #13 Alabama at home, the bye week, a road trip to #11 LSU, #10 Oklahoma at home, and a road game at #5 Texas. The consecutive ranked games will define the middle of the season.
November features Vanderbilt at home, Auburn at home, Tennessee Tech at home, and the Egg Bowl at #9 Ole Miss. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible SEC Championship appearance.
Home Games at Davis Wade Stadium
Eight home dates appear on the 2026 Mississippi State football schedule:
- September 5 vs. ULM
- September 26 vs. #25 Missouri
- October 3 vs. #13 Alabama (Battle for Highway 82)
- October 24 vs. #10 Oklahoma
- November 7 vs. Vanderbilt
- November 14 vs. Auburn
- November 21 vs. Tennessee Tech
The Alabama, Oklahoma and Auburn games will generate the strongest crowds in Starkville.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 Mississippi State football schedule.
The October 3 Battle for Highway 82 against #13 Alabama is an early SEC measuring stick. The October 24 home date against #10 Oklahoma is a key ranked test. The November 27 Egg Bowl at #9 Ole Miss always carries the most weight of the season.
Win two of those three and the Bulldogs stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 SEC Championship appearance in Atlanta.
Where to Watch Mississippi State Bulldogs Football
Confirmed networks on the 2026 Mississippi State Bulldogs Football schedule:
- ESPNU (Sept. 5 vs. ULM)
- CBS/Paramount+ (Sept. 12 at Minnesota)
- SECN (Sept. 19 at South Carolina)
- SECN+ (Nov. 21 vs. Tennessee Tech)
- ABC (Nov. 27 at Ole Miss and Dec. 5 SEC Championship)
Most remaining SEC games still list TV as TBA. Expect additional network assignments once the final slate is set.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Sept. 5 — Season opener vs. ULM, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU
- Oct. 3 — Battle for Highway 82 vs. #13 Alabama
- Oct. 10 — Bye week
- Oct. 24 — #10 Oklahoma at home
- Nov. 27 — Egg Bowl at #9 Ole Miss, 12:00 p.m. ET, ABC
- Dec. 5 — Potential SEC Championship in Atlanta, 4:00 p.m. ET, ABC
The 2026 Mississippi State football schedule opens with early road tests and builds toward classic rivalries and ranked games. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Mississippi State open the 2026 season?
Mississippi State opens the 2026 season at home against ULM on Saturday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
How many home games do the Mississippi State Bulldogs have in 2026?
The Bulldogs have seven home games at Davis Wade Stadium on the 2026 Mississippi State football schedule: ULM, #25 Missouri, #13 Alabama, #10 Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Auburn, and Tennessee Tech.
Who do the Mississippi State Bulldogs play in the Egg Bowl?
On November 27 the Bulldogs travel to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to face #9 Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl at 12:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
What channel are Mississippi State games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include ESPNU, CBS/Paramount+, SECN, SECN+, and ABC. Most SEC games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
