Starkville was loud. Really loud. But by the time the fourth quarter rolled around at Davis Wade Stadium this past November, a strange, heavy silence started to settle over the maroon-clad sections of the crowd.
The Ole Miss vs Mississippi State game—better known as the Egg Bowl—isn't just a football game for people in this state. It’s a 365-day-a-year argument. Honestly, it’s a lifestyle. And on November 28, 2025, the No. 7 ranked Rebels didn't just win; they essentially rewrote their own history books while the Bulldogs were left wondering what hit them.
Final score: 38-19.
It sounds like a blowout, and in some ways, it was. But if you were watching closely, there were moments where this thing felt like it could have swung the other way.
The Chaos and the Scoreboard
Trinidad Chambliss is a name Mississippi State fans are going to be seeing in their nightmares for a while. He was surgical. He finished the day with 359 passing yards and four touchdowns. That’s elite production by any standard, but doing it in a rivalry game on the road? That's cold.
He found Deuce Alexander for an 88-yard dagger in the fourth quarter that basically ended the contest. One play. 88 yards. Heartbreak for the home team.
🔗 Read more: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
But let’s give credit where it’s due: Kamario Taylor, the freshman quarterback for State, showed some serious guts. He didn't just play; he survived. Taylor put up 351 total yards on his own. He scrambled for a 35-yard touchdown in the fourth that briefly made things interesting, cutting the lead to 31-19. For a second there, you could feel the momentum shifting.
Then came that 88-yard Alexander touchdown.
Game over.
Why This Specific Game Mattered So Much
Usually, the Egg Bowl is for bragging rights. This time, the stakes were astronomical. Ole Miss entered the day with a 10-1 record, and that 11th win secured the most successful regular season in the history of the program. Think about that. Since 1893, they’ve never had a regular season this good.
The Rebels weren't just playing for a trophy that looks like an oversized egg. They were playing for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
💡 You might also like: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
The Lane Kiffin Factor
You can't talk about the Ole Miss vs Mississippi State game without mentioning the circus surrounding Lane Kiffin. The rumors were everywhere. Was he going to LSU? Was he staying?
Even with the "coaching carousel" noise at a deafening volume, his team looked incredibly focused. They didn't commit the dumb penalties that usually plague teams in high-tension rivalries. They just went out and executed.
Key Moments You Might Have Missed
The game wasn't all highlights and long bombs. It was a grind for the first 30 minutes.
- The Early Lead: Kewan Lacy opened the scoring with a 31-yard run that silenced the crowd early. Lacy ended the day with 143 yards on the ground.
- The Goal Line Stands: State had opportunities. They really did. But the Rebels' defense, led by guys like Prince Umanmielen, came up huge when it mattered.
- The Half-Time Shift: Leading 21-10 at the half, Ole Miss didn't let up. They outscored State 17-9 in the final two frames.
It’s worth noting that the Bulldogs actually moved the ball. They had 440 total yards. Most teams win with that kind of production. But turnovers and an inability to finish drives in the red zone killed them. Kyle Ferrie, State's kicker, had to settle for field goals when they desperately needed six points.
The History Behind the Hate
This was the 122nd meeting between these two. The series started in 1901. Back then, they weren't even called the Rebels or the Bulldogs. It was Mississippi A&M vs. the "Red and Blue."
📖 Related: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
The trophy—the Golden Egg—wasn't even a thing until 1927. They had to create it because fans kept fighting on the field. Literally. In 1926, the post-game brawl was so bad that students from both schools decided they needed a trophy to act as a "symbol of peace."
Ironically, the trophy has probably made the rivalry more intense, not less.
What This Means for the Future
For Mississippi State, the 2025 season ended at 5-7. It’s a bitter pill. But seeing Kamario Taylor play the way he did? That gives people in Starkville something to actually look forward to in 2026. He’s a playmaker.
For Ole Miss, the win kept them in the hunt for the SEC Championship and solidified their CFP resume. It also marked their third straight win in the series. The last time they did that was back in 2002-2004.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the fallout of the Ole Miss vs Mississippi State game, here’s what you need to watch over the next few weeks:
- Watch the Transfer Portal: With the season over for State and Kiffin's status always a talking point, expect a lot of movement. Key players on both sides will be targets.
- Check the Playoff Rankings: The Rebels' 11-1 record is a massive statement. Their seeding will determine if they get a home playoff game at Vaught-Hemingway.
- Recruiting Battles: Several top-tier in-state recruits were at this game. Winning the Egg Bowl often leads to winning the "Signing Day" battle in Mississippi.
The Golden Egg stays in Oxford for another year. Whether Kiffin stays with it is the million-dollar question, but for one Friday in November, the Rebels proved they were the kings of the Magnolia State.