Mississippi State Renews Rivalry With Southern Miss to Start Season

SEO Title (50 characters): Mississippi St. Meets Southern Miss Again
SEO Description (150 characters): Mississippi State opens its season against rival Southern Miss as both programs aim to rebound from difficult 2024 campaigns.

Bulldogs looking to rebound under Jeff Lebby

The Mississippi State Bulldogs enter the new season with modest expectations after a difficult first year under head coach Jeff Lebby. Last fall, the Bulldogs finished at the bottom of the SEC with a 2-10 overall record and an 0-8 mark in league play. Lebby, who arrived with a reputation as an offensive innovator, saw his team struggle with injuries and inconsistency, leaving them firmly projected to finish last in the conference again this year. Still, the Bulldogs are aiming to start fresh against a familiar in-state rival and prove they can take steps forward in year two of his tenure.

One bright spot for Mississippi State is the return of quarterback Blake Shapen. The Baylor transfer started four games last season before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the final eight contests. Before his injury, Shapen showed flashes of stability, and his return brings much-needed experience to the offense. Having started the last 27 games he has been healthy for, Shapen’s presence under center should provide a steadier foundation as the Bulldogs try to climb out of the SEC cellar.

Mississippi State 2024 snapshot

Southern Miss begins new era under Charles Huff

On the other side, Southern Miss is also beginning a fresh chapter with the arrival of Charles Huff as head coach. Huff comes to Hattiesburg after leading Marshall to a Sun Belt championship, and while expectations are tempered in Year One, there is cautious optimism about what he can build. The Golden Eagles went 1-11 last season and were winless in Conference USA play, leaving plenty of room for improvement.

Huff didn’t come alone. He brought several key players with him from Marshall, including quarterback Braylon Braxton, who enters the season as the Sun Belt’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. While Huff emphasized that this is not the same team that won at Marshall, he acknowledged the continuity Braxton brings to the system is a major positive. “It’s going to be a huge challenge for us,” Huff said this week. “We’re just trying to get better. I know everyone’s like, ‘Well, you brought the team from the other place that won the championship.’ It’s not the same team. It wouldn’t be the same team if we were in the same location.”

Key Southern Miss additions from Marshall

Rivalry renewed in Hattiesburg

Saturday marks the renewal of a regional rivalry that has deep roots. Mississippi State and Southern Miss last met in 2023, when the Bulldogs rolled to a 41-20 victory in Starkville. Historically, the series has been competitive, with Mississippi State holding an 18-12-1 advantage overall. The programs have long viewed this matchup as a measuring stick, with bragging rights carrying plenty of weight across Mississippi.

For Lebby, the challenge will be balancing preparation with the unknowns that come from facing a team undergoing so much change. He admitted this week that Week 1 always carries unpredictability. “You’d think there’d be some carryover,” Lebby said of Huff’s arrival from Marshall. “But Week 1 is always a little bit up in the air. You try not to chase ghosts. The best way to handle that is to keep things simple so guys can adjust and play fast no matter what happens.”

For Southern Miss, the opportunity is about proving they can compete with an SEC program, even one coming off a down year. Huff acknowledged that the “big, bad SEC” will provide a reality check but believes the experience will only accelerate his team’s growth.

Fans tracking the game through NCAAF picks, scores & odds, and the expert betting guide will note the intrigue of two rebuilding programs colliding, each with a new leader under center and much to prove.

Conclusion

Mississippi State and Southern Miss both enter the 2025 season searching for a fresh start. The Bulldogs hope the return of Blake Shapen and a simplified approach under Jeff Lebby will help them move past last year’s struggles. The Golden Eagles are embracing change with Charles Huff, who brings continuity from Marshall and a talented quarterback in Braylon Braxton. While expectations for both programs remain modest, the rivalry setting ensures intensity, and for the victor, Week 1 will provide a much-needed dose of optimism for the long road ahead.