You’ve probably heard people call the annual meeting between Mississippi State and LSU "just another SEC game." Honestly, that’s kind of insulting to a series that’s been around since 1896. We’re talking about 117 meetings. This isn't some manufactured corporate rivalry with a shiny new name and a social media hashtag. It’s "Cowbells vs. Cajuns," a gritty, Southern scrap that has literally shaped the Southeastern Conference.
LSU leads the all-time series 75–36–3. On paper, it looks like the Tigers have owned the Bulldogs. But if you've ever stood on the sidelines in Starkville when those cowbells start clanging, you know the record book doesn't capture the actual vibe.
The Miss State vs LSU football dynamic most people get wrong
There is this weird misconception that this is a "lopsided" series.
While LSU has long win streaks—like that 14-game run from 2000 to 2013—the games themselves are often absolute dogfights. It’s about styles clashing. You have the flash and "DBU" reputation of Baton Rouge going up against the "blue-collar, punch-you-in-the-mouth" mentality of Mississippi State.
What happened to the 2024 and 2025 games?
If you were looking for the miss state vs lsu football score this past fall, you probably noticed something weird. The schedule was empty. For the first time since 1943 (when the world was a bit busy with other things), these two teams didn't meet.
SEC expansion is the culprit. With Oklahoma and Texas joining the party, the old divisional scheduling died. We lost a game that had been played for 80 straight seasons. It’s a bummer for traditionalists. The good news? They’re back on the calendar for October 17, 2026, in Baton Rouge.
Moments that actually changed the SEC
We can't talk about this series without mentioning the 2014 game.
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LSU was a powerhouse. Mississippi State was, well, unranked and overlooked. Then Dak Prescott happened.
Prescott led the Bulldogs into Death Valley and basically tore the roof off the place. They jumped out to a 34–10 lead in the fourth quarter. LSU tried to pull off one of those "only in Tiger Stadium" miracles with three late touchdowns, but a Hail Mary interception by Will Redmond sealed it.
That 34–29 win wasn't just an upset. It launched Mississippi State to the #1 spot in the polls for the first time ever. It proved that "little" State could walk into the most intimidating stadium in the country and leave with a win.
The 2020 Air Raid explosion
Remember Mike Leach? Of course you do.
In his very first game at Mississippi State in 2020, he took his Air Raid offense to Baton Rouge. Keep in mind, LSU was the defending national champion. K.J. Costello threw for a mind-boggling 623 yards—an SEC record.
State won 44–34. It was the kind of game that made you question everything you knew about SEC football. It was messy, it was high-scoring, and it was pure entertainment.
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The historical "weirdness" of the series
Back in the day, the geography of this game was all over the place.
From 1934 to 1957, LSU hosted every single game. Why? Because the Bulldogs’ home fields in Starkville and Jackson were too small to handle the crowd. Mississippi State basically traded home-field advantage for a bigger "gate" (the ticket money).
Even when they did play in Mississippi, they often went to Jackson instead of Starkville. It wasn't until more modern times that "Davis Wade Stadium" became the true fortress it is today.
Forfeits and Vacations
The record books for miss state vs lsu football are a bit of a mess if you look closely.
- Mississippi State had to forfeit their 1975 and 1976 wins.
- LSU had to vacate wins in 2012, 2013, and 2015 due to NCAA stuff.
So, depending on who you ask (or which website you're looking at), the win-loss totals might shift by a game or two.
Key stats you should know
- Largest Victory: LSU won 61–6 back in 1969.
- Longest Winning Streak: LSU won 14 in a row between 2000 and 2013.
- Recent Trend: LSU has won the last three meetings (2021-2023), including a 41–14 blowout in Starkville during their last meeting.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond
The SEC’s new 1-7-7 scheduling format means we won't see this game every year anymore. LSU will keep Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M as annual partners. State keeps their annual Egg Bowl.
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But miss state vs lsu football is too historic to let fade away.
When they meet in 2026, it’ll be a massive test for whoever is under center. Expect Tiger Stadium to be even louder than usual since they've missed a couple of years of clanging cowbells.
If you're planning to attend a future matchup, here is how to handle the "atmosphere":
- In Baton Rouge: Get there early for the tailgating. The food is better than the football sometimes.
- In Starkville: Bring earplugs. Seriously. The cowbells are a legal loophole in the SEC’s artificial noise rules, and the fans use them effectively.
- Watch the line: This is a game where the underdog often covers. Historically, the spread is usually a bit too generous toward the Tigers.
The hiatus in 2024 and 2025 has been a strange gap in a rivalry that’s older than your grandfather. But when that 2026 date rolls around, you can bet the intensity will be right back where it left off.
To prepare for the 2026 return, start by tracking the recruiting cycles for both Brian Kelly and Jeff Lebby, as the rosters for that specific October matchup are being built in the transfer portal right now.