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The 2026 Mississippi State football schedule features 12 games as head coach Jeff Lebby leads the Bulldogs through a nine-game SEC slate that includes seven home games at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville. Mississippi State opens at home before two straight road games at Minnesota and South Carolina, then returns to Starkville for back-to-back home games against Missouri and Alabama. Game times and TV broadcast channels are listed as TBD and will be updated once the SEC and ESPN release the official broadcast schedule.
- Conference: SEC.
- 2026 opener: Saturday, September 5 vs UL Monroe Warhawks.
- Home games: 7 at Davis Wade Stadium.
- How to watch: ABC, ESPN, and SEC Network (stream on ESPN+).
2026 Mississippi State Football
Jeff Lebby enters 2026 in his third season as Mississippi State head coach on a contract worth $4.5 million per year. After his first two years focused on rebuilding the program following the Mike Leach era, the 2026 schedule presents a chance to measure the Bulldogs against the top of the SEC. The year opens at home against ULM before a challenging two-game road stretch at Minnesota and South Carolina in Weeks 2 and 3. Mississippi State returns home for a four-game stretch – including Alabama in Week 5 – before the bye week on October 10 gives the team a break heading into the second half of the season.
After the bye, the Bulldogs face a demanding six-game stretch to close the year. Road trips to LSU and Texas bookend home games against Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Auburn, and Tennessee Tech before the season ends in Oxford on November 28 for the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss. With seven of 12 regular-season games at Davis Wade Stadium, Mississippi State has a strong home schedule to build on as Lebby works to return the program to bowl contention.
For the latest roster moves and program news, visit the Mississippi State Football official athletics site.
2026 Mississippi State Football Schedule
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Sep 5 | vs UL Monroe Warhawks | 7:30 PM | ESPNU |
| 2 | Sat, Sep 12 | @ Minnesota Golden Gophers | TBD | TBD |
| 3 | Sat, Sep 19 | @ South Carolina Gamecocks | 4:15 PM | SEC Network |
| 4 | Sat, Sep 26 | vs Missouri Tigers | Night | TBA |
| 5 | Sat, Oct 3 | vs Alabama Crimson Tide | Early | TBA |
| Open Date – Bye Week (Sat, Oct 10) | ||||
| 7 | Sat, Oct 17 | @ LSU Tigers | Early | TBA |
| 8 | Sat, Oct 24 | vs Oklahoma Sooners | Flex | TBA |
| 9 | Sat, Oct 31 | @ Texas Longhorns | Night | TBA |
| 10 | Sat, Nov 7 | vs Vanderbilt Commodores | Flex | TBA |
| 11 | Sat, Nov 14 | vs Auburn Tigers | Early | TBA |
| 12 | Sat, Nov 21 | vs Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles | 1:00 PM | SEC Network+ |
| 13 | Fri, Nov 27 | @ Ole Miss Rebels | 12:00 PM | ABC |
All times Eastern. Window games show their ESPN TV window (Early, Afternoon, Night, or Flex); exact kickoff times and networks are confirmed about six days before each game. Updated June 11, 2026.
Game times and TV/streaming information are TBD. This page will be updated when the SEC releases its official broadcast schedule.
More 2026 College Football Resources
Mississippi State is one of 16 SEC programs competing in 2026 in the nation’s most competitive conference. For a full look at every team’s slate, check out our complete SEC Football Schedule, which includes printable grids for every program from Alabama to Vanderbilt.
The path to a national championship runs through the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Our full breakdown of the 2026-2027 College Football Playoff covers every round, site, and bracket format for the season.
2026 Mississippi State Football FAQ
Who is Mississippi State’s head football coach in 2026?
Jeff Lebby is the head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in 2026, entering his third season with the program. Lebby was hired in 2024 on a contract worth $4.5 million per year to rebuild the Bulldogs following the Mike Leach era.
How many home games does Mississippi State have in 2026?
Mississippi State plays seven home games at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville in 2026. Home opponents include ULM, Missouri, Alabama, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Auburn, and Tennessee Tech.
When is Mississippi State’s bye week in 2026?
Mississippi State’s bye week is October 10, 2026, between the home game against Alabama (Oct 3) and the road game at LSU (Oct 17). The break comes at a useful point midseason before the Bulldogs close the year with six straight games.
When will Mississippi State’s game times and TV channels be announced?
The SEC and its broadcast partners – ESPN, ABC, and SEC Network – typically release game times and TV assignments on a rolling basis, usually 6-12 days before each game. This page will be updated as kickoff times and broadcast details are confirmed.
When do the Mississippi State Bulldogs play Ole Miss in 2026?
Mississippi State travels to Ole Miss on November 28, 2026, for the annual Egg Bowl rivalry game. The Egg Bowl caps the regular season every year and is the most anticipated game on the schedule for fans of both programs in the state of Mississippi.
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Resource Hub
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Everything you need for the 2026 college football season.
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| → 2026 College Football Schedule Full FBS slate with kickoff times and TV networks. |
| → 2026-27 College Football Playoff Bracket The 12-team bracket, dates, and projected matchups. |
| → 2026-27 Bowl Game Schedule Every bowl game, date, and matchup in one place. |
| → SEC Football Standings Live SEC standings, records, and results. |
