When college football fans think of rivalries and regional pride, 🏈 Southern Miss vs Mississippi State might not be the first matchup that comes to mind. But come Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 11:00 PM ET, all eyes in Mississippi—and across the nation—will be on this hard-hitting, pride-filled showdown. This Week 1 late-night kickoff is packed with storylines, from program trajectories to in-state bragging rights.
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles will travel to Starkville, where the Mississippi State Bulldogs await inside the roaring confines of Davis Wade Stadium. While the Bulldogs are considered SEC favorites in this clash, Southern Miss is a seasoned Group of Five program that loves an underdog opportunity.
Both teams are eager to begin the 2025 season on a strong note, and this matchup could be more competitive than the odds suggest.
📅 Game Information
- Matchup: 🏈 Southern Miss vs Mississippi State
- Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
- Time: 11:00 PM ET
- Location: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi
- TV Channel: ESPN2 (Expected)
- Streaming Platforms: FuboTV, ESPN+, Hulu Live, YouTube TV
🏟️ Davis Wade Stadium: Where Noise Meets Tradition
One of the oldest stadiums in college football, Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field can seat over 61,000 fans and is known for its deafening cowbells and passionate atmosphere. Mississippi State fans are fiercely loyal and will turn up in full force under the lights for the season opener.
For Southern Miss, walking into this stadium isn’t just another road game—it’s a chance to upset a Power Five opponent in their own backyard.
🔍 Team Breakdowns – 🏈 Southern Miss vs Mississippi State
🟡 Southern Miss Golden Eagles: Building Back With Purpose
Southern Miss continues its rebuilding phase under head coach Will Hall, who has infused energy and identity into the program. With a balanced offense and a defensive unit that quietly overachieved in 2024, the Golden Eagles could surprise in 2025.
Their 2024 campaign saw ups and downs, but late-season momentum has fans believing in a turnaround.
🔑 Key Players – Southern Miss
- QB Billy Wiles – Transferred from Clemson, solid arm, smart reads
- RB Frank Gore Jr. – Star back and fan favorite; explosive runner with NFL upside
- WR Jakarius Caston – Versatile receiver who stretches the field
- LB Swayze Bozeman – Veteran linebacker and defensive signal-caller
- CB Natron Brooks – Lockdown corner who can disrupt SEC receivers
🐶 Mississippi State Bulldogs: Resetting the SEC Standard
After an emotional few years following the death of head coach Mike Leach, the Bulldogs are moving forward with Jeff Lebby, the former Oklahoma offensive coordinator known for his uptempo, aggressive style.
🔑 Key Players – Mississippi State
- QB Chris Parson – Highly-touted dual-threat with elite upside
- RB Jo’Quavious Marks – Senior back with breakaway speed
- WR Zavion Thomas – Deep-ball threat with track speed
- LB Jett Johnson – Tackle machine and team leader
- S Shawn Preston Jr. – Veteran safety who brings experience and edge
🔄 Recent History & Series Outlook
This in-state rivalry hasn’t seen consistent meetings in recent years, but Mississippi State has won the last 3 encounters, including a commanding 41–20 victory in 2023. However, Southern Miss fans still recall their 1990s dominance and dream of an upset that would put their program back on the national radar.
⚔️ Position Matchups – Who Has the Edge?
Quarterback
- Chris Parson is the more talented and physically gifted QB, but Billy Wiles brings poise and experience.
Edge: Mississippi State
Running Back
- Frank Gore Jr. could be the best player on the field and has the talent to shift the game. Marks is great—but Gore is a game-changer.
Edge: Southern Miss
Receivers
- Mississippi State’s WR corps is deeper and faster.
Edge: Mississippi State
Defense
- Mississippi State boasts a better front seven, but Southern Miss’s secondary may outperform expectations.
Edge: Mississippi State
📊 Odds & Betting Lines – 🏈 Southern Miss vs Mississippi State
- Spread: Mississippi State -14.5
- Over/Under: 49.5
- Moneyline: MSST -650 | USM +480
🔮 Score Prediction:
Mississippi State 31, Southern Miss 20
Expect Southern Miss to keep it competitive through three quarters before the Bulldogs pull away with superior depth.
Best Bets:
- Southern Miss +14.5 (value pick)
- Under 49.5 (defenses will grind it out early)
- Frank Gore Jr. anytime touchdown
📺 Where to Watch and Stream
Fans can enjoy 🏈 Southern Miss vs Mississippi State on several platforms:
- TV: ESPN2 (expected)
- Stream:
- ESPN App
- Hulu + Live TV
- YouTube TV
- Sling TV
- FuboTV
- DirecTV Stream
Always check your local listings and blackout restrictions.
🧠 Coaching Matchup – Will Hall vs Jeff Lebby
Both coaches represent new energy for their programs. While Lebby has the SEC machine behind him and a high-tempo pedigree, Hall is a gritty tactician who’s molded winning programs at multiple levels.
Expect Hall to have a few tricks up his sleeve early on, but Lebby’s offense may ultimately be too much.
🔑 Keys to Victory
Southern Miss
- Control the clock – Keep Mississippi State’s offense off the field
- Gore Jr. must shine – Get him involved in both run and pass game
- Win the turnover battle – Must capitalize on any Mississippi State mistakes
- Red zone efficiency – Turn drives into touchdowns, not field goals
- Contain explosive plays – Force State to play disciplined football
Mississippi State
- Establish tempo early – Make Southern Miss chase
- Parson protection – Keep the young QB clean in the pocket
- Pressure Wiles – Disrupt the rhythm of the Golden Eagles’ offense
- Get the crowd involved – Feed off Davis Wade energy
- No letdowns – Don’t overlook Southern Miss as just another G5 team
🔥 Players to Watch
- Frank Gore Jr. – Can carry Southern Miss on his shoulders
- Chris Parson – The future of Mississippi State football
- Zavion Thomas – Big-play threat every time he touches the ball
- Swayze Bozeman – Can he anchor the Golden Eagles’ defense against the SEC?
- Jo’Quavious Marks – Needs a big game to avoid early-season criticism
🏈 Southern Miss vs Mississippi State – What’s at Stake?
For Southern Miss:
- An upset would be a program-defining victory and could boost recruiting, ticket sales, and national recognition.
- Beating an SEC opponent in-state is the kind of win you hang a banner for in Hattiesburg.
For Mississippi State:
- This game must be won convincingly to set the tone for the 2025 SEC campaign.
- Anything short of a double-digit victory will raise eyebrows.
❓FAQs
When is the game?
Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 11:00 PM ET.
Where is it being played?
At Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi.
Who is favored?
Mississippi State is favored by 14.5 points.
Where can I stream it?
Via ESPN+, Hulu Live, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and the ESPN App.
Has Southern Miss ever beaten Mississippi State?
Yes, Southern Miss has several wins historically, but none in recent memory.
🧩 Southern Miss vs Mississippi State
The 🏈 Southern Miss vs Mississippi State matchup is more than just an opening game—it’s a litmus test for two programs on divergent paths. For Mississippi State, it’s about asserting SEC dominance and validating the Jeff Lebby era. For Southern Miss, it’s an opportunity to shock the world and revive golden memories of past glories.
Under the lights in Starkville, this late-night Week 1 battle could prove to be one of the most entertaining—and important—games of the weekend.