If you aren't from Mississippi, you might think you understand "rivalry." You’ve seen Michigan and Ohio State fans trade barbs, or maybe you've watched the Iron Bowl on a cozy Saturday afternoon. But the Ole Miss vs Miss St rivalry—better known as the Egg Bowl—is just different. It’s not just a game. It’s a family-ruining, furniture-tossing, multi-generational grudge that basically feels like a 365-day war.
Honestly, the hatred is the point.
The 2024 and 2025 editions of this game proved that even when the teams are heading in opposite directions, the intensity never dips. In November 2024, Ole Miss took care of business in Oxford with a 26-14 win. It wasn't pretty. It was a cold, defensive slog where Ulysses Bentley IV basically saved the day with an 89-yard touchdown run that blew the roof off Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Then, just a few weeks ago in November 2025, the Rebels kept the momentum rolling with a 38-19 win in Starkville. That win was historic—it gave Lane Kiffin and the Rebels a program-record 11 regular-season wins.
Mississippi State fans? They’re hurting right now. But if you know anything about the Bulldogs, you know they don't stay down. They just wait for the next chance to ruin a Rebel's Thanksgiving.
The Chaos That Created a Trophy
Most trophies are born from a committee. The Golden Egg? It was born from a riot.
In 1926, Ole Miss finally beat Mississippi State (then called Mississippi A&M) after a miserable 13-game losing streak. Naturally, the Rebel fans rushed the field. They tried to tear down the goalposts at Scott Field. The State fans, unsurprisingly, weren't having it. They fought back with cane-bottomed chairs.
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It was a total "royal rumble" situation.
To prevent another full-scale brawl the following year, the schools decided they needed a "peace offering." They created a trophy shaped like a football. Because the footballs in 1927 were way more rounded and blunt than they are today, the thing ended up looking exactly like a giant brass egg. Thus, the Egg Bowl was born.
Series Snapshot: The Numbers
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| All-Time Series | Ole Miss leads 67–46–6 |
| First Meeting | 1901 (MSU won 17-0) |
| Current Streak | Ole Miss, 3 wins (2023–2025) |
| Longest Streak | MSU, 13 wins (1911–1925) |
What Most People Get Wrong About the Matchup
You’ll hear national pundits say this game only matters to the people in the Magnolia State. That’s a massive oversight. The Ole Miss vs Miss St clash is the 10th longest-running uninterrupted rivalry in the entire country. We are talking about a game that has been played every single year since 1944.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the "bigger" program always wins. Wrong. This game is the king of the upset. Remember the "Immaculate Deflection" in 1983? A 40-mph gust of wind literally stopped a game-winning field goal in mid-air. Or the 2019 "Piss, Miss, and Double Dismiss" where a controversial end-zone celebration led to a missed extra point and a one-point loss for the Rebels.
You can't script this stuff.
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Why 2025 Changed the Stakes
The 2025 game wasn't just about bragging rights; it was about the College Football Playoff. Ole Miss, led by Trinidad Chambliss, walked into Starkville with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Chambliss was electric, throwing for 359 yards and four touchdowns.
Mississippi State, under Jeff Lebby, put up a hell of a fight behind freshman QB Kamario Taylor, who somehow managed to rush for 173 yards himself. But the Rebels' defense, anchored by stars like Walter Nolen, was just too much.
Wait, what about Lane Kiffin?
That’s the question everyone is asking. As the 2025 season wrapped up, the rumors about Kiffin's future started swirling again. Does he stay in Oxford after delivering the most successful regular season in school history, or does the coaching carousel pull him elsewhere? For now, the Golden Egg stays in Oxford, and Kiffin remains the King of Mississippi.
The Cultural Divide: Oxford vs. Starkville
To understand Ole Miss vs Miss St, you have to understand the schools.
Oxford is the "Velvet Ditch." It’s The Grove, cocktail attire at games, and a certain level of southern sophistication (or at least the appearance of it). It’s "Hotty Toddy" and chandeliers in tents.
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Starkville is the "Cowbell." It’s grit. it’s loud. It’s the "Hail State" mantra and a blue-collar pride that loves nothing more than being the underdog.
When these two worlds collide, it’s not just a football game; it’s a referendum on who runs the state. For the last three years, it’s been the Rebels. But the pendulum in this rivalry always swings.
Memorable Moments That Still Sting
- 1999 (The Pick and Kick): A wild interception by MSU's Robert Bean set up a game-tying field goal, leading to an overtime win for the Bulldogs.
- 2008 (The 45-0 Shutout): Houston Nutt’s Rebels absolutely humiliated the Bulldogs in Oxford.
- 2018 (The Egg Brawl): A literal fight broke out in the end zone, resulting in every single player on both teams receiving an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Mark your calendars for November 28, 2026. The game returns to Oxford.
Mississippi State will be in year three of the Jeff Lebby era. They’ll be looking for revenge after three straight losses. Meanwhile, Ole Miss will be trying to maintain their status as a national powerhouse. The 2026 schedules are already out, and both teams have brutal SEC slates leading up to the finale.
State has to travel to Texas and LSU earlier in the year, while Ole Miss has to face Georgia and Oklahoma. By the time they meet in late November, they’ll be bruised, battered, and ready to take it all out on each other.
How to Prepare for the Next Egg Bowl
- Secure your tickets early: Since the game moved back to campus sites (it spent years in Jackson), tickets for the Ole Miss vs Miss St game are some of the hardest to get in the SEC. Oxford 2026 will be a sell-out months in advance.
- Learn the traditions: If you're going to Starkville, bring earplugs for the cowbells. If you're going to Oxford, dress up. Seriously.
- Watch the lines: This game is notorious for being close. The last decade has seen a near-even split in wins and losses, with most games decided by less than 10 points.
- Check the weather: From 40-mph winds to freezing rain, the weather in Mississippi in late November is a wild card that often decides the winner.
The Egg Bowl is the purest form of college football. It’s petty, it’s historical, and it’s absolutely essential. Whether you’re yelling "Hail State" or "Hotty Toddy," you know that for one night a year, nothing else in the world matters.
Next Steps for Fans
Check the official athletic sites for Ole Miss and Mississippi State to view the full 2026 broadcast schedules and kickoff times as they are finalized. If you are planning to attend the 2026 game in Oxford, look into lodging now; hotels in the North Mississippi area often book up over a year in advance for the Thanksgiving weekend. Stay tuned to local sports radio like SuperTalk Mississippi for updates on coaching changes and transfer portal moves that will reshape both rosters before the next kickoff.