If you're asking what rank is Mississippi State football right now, you aren't going to find them in the AP Top 25. Honestly, it’s been a bit of a rough ride lately for the folks in Starkville. After wrapping up the 2025 season with a 5–8 record, the Bulldogs aren't exactly the darlings of the national polls. But rankings in college football are a weird, multi-headed beast. You have the official win-loss standings, the "eye test" power rankings, and the recruiting numbers that tell you if next year is going to be any better.
Basically, the Bulldogs finished the most recent season unranked. In the SEC, which is essentially a meat grinder with better tailgating, they ended up near the bottom of the pile. Depending on which source you check, they were either 14th or 15th out of 16 teams in the conference standings.
The Current State of the Bulldogs
Jeff Lebby just finished his second year at the helm. It’s a transition period. Most fans knew that going in, but it doesn't make the 1–7 conference record any easier to swallow. When people search for what rank is Mississippi State football, they are usually looking for where the team stands in the hierarchy of the SEC.
Right now? They are in the "rebuilding" tier.
Breaking Down the 2025 Final Numbers
The team didn't make the cut for the major polls, but advanced analytics like the SRS (Simple Rating System) tell a slightly more nuanced story.
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- Overall Record: 5–8.
- SEC Standing: 14th (1–7 in conference play).
- Predictive Rank: Around #50 nationally according to TeamRankings.
- Strength of Schedule: 30th (They played a brutal lineup).
The Bulldogs lost the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to Wake Forest, 43–29. That loss was a bit of a damp squib to end a season that had flashes of potential, particularly from young quarterback Kamario Taylor. Taylor’s emergence is really the only reason there's a buzz around Davis Wade Stadium right now.
Why the Recruiting Rank Matters More Right Now
If you only look at the scoreboard, things look grim. But if you look at the 2026 recruiting class, you see why Lebby hasn't lost the fan base just yet. Mississippi State is currently pulling in a top-30 class nationally. On3 and 247Sports have them bouncing around the #26 to #30 range.
That’s actually pretty impressive for a team that only won five games.
The crown jewel of this group is Bralan Womack, a 5-star safety who flipped from Auburn. Landing a guy like that tells you that the "Starkvegas" brand still has pull. In the SEC-specific recruiting ranks, they sit at #12. In any other conference, that’s a top-tier class. In the SEC, it’s just middle-of-the-pack, which shows you how insane the competition is.
The Transfer Portal Rank
Then there’s the portal. College football is basically free agency now. Mississippi State’s portal rank for 2026 is sitting at #13 on On3. They are being aggressive. Lebby knows he can’t wait three years for high school kids to grow up; he needs "plug-and-play" guys from the portal to fix a defense that gave up over 30 points a game last year.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rankings
A lot of people see that 5–8 record and assume the team is "bad." In the context of the SEC, "bad" is relative. The Bulldogs played a schedule where nearly every opponent was ranked at some point.
When you ask what rank is Mississippi State football, you have to account for the fact that they are playing in the toughest division in sports history. They beat Arizona State when the Sun Devils were ranked #12. They hung tough with some of the big boys before the depth issues caught up to them in the fourth quarter.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Where will they be ranked next year?
It all depends on the development of Kamario Taylor. If he takes the "sophomore leap," this team could easily be a 7 or 8-win squad. If the defense doesn't improve from its #115 national ranking in points allowed, it won't matter how many points the offense puts up.
Most preseason projections for 2026 have the Bulldogs unranked but "receiving votes." They are the kind of team that could sneak into the Top 25 by October if they take care of their non-conference business and steal one in Tuscaloosa or Athens.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Bulldogs' trajectory, keep your eyes on these three specific metrics over the next few months:
- Spring Game Performance: Watch the chemistry between Taylor and the new portal receivers.
- Defensive Coordinator Moves: Any staff changes in the secondary will be a huge indicator of whether they can stop the bleeding.
- Final Recruiting Push: If they can keep Bralan Womack committed through the late signing period, it’s a massive win for the program’s long-term health.
The rank right now isn't what anyone wanted, but the "floor" of the program seems to be stabilizing. It’s a long climb back to the top of the SEC, but the pieces are starting to hit the board.