Get to Know Mississippi State:
- Location: Starkville, MS
- Established: 1878
- Enrollment: 22,649
- Mascot: Bulldogs
- Colors: An inferior shade of maroon and somehow more boring shade of white
- Conference: SEC
What You Need to Know:
- Texas A&M is 4-0 (1-0) and ranked No. 6 in the country. This is the first time A&M has entered October without a loss since 2016, and the highest they’ve been in the rankings since 2022.
- Mississippi States is 4-1 (0-1) after dropping their SEC opener in overtime against Tennessee a week ago.
- It will be strength on strength when A&M has the ball, as the Bulldogs are No. 62 in rushing defense and No. 27 in passing defense, and will face an A&M offense that is N0. 61 rushing and No. 23 passing. Conversely, the A&M defense is now No. 42 nationally against the run and No. 49 against the pass, and faces an MSU offense that is No. 33 in rushing and No. 75 in passing.
- This is a “blackout” game for the Aggies, with A&M wearing their black uniform (last worn against LSU in 2024), and fans are encouraged to wear black to the game as well.
Betting Lines:
- The Aggies are a 14.5-point favorite
- The over/under is 57.5.
Historical Notes:
- The all-time series is tied 9-9, but the Aggies lead 7-6 since joining the SEC in 2012.
- The Aggies are 4-2 against Mississippi State at Kyle Field, with the last loss coming in 2021.
- Famous Mississippi State alumni include novelist John Grisham, Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and former Texas Rangers first basemen Rafael Palmiero and Will Clark. Machine Gun Kelly also attended MSU but did not graduate.
- MSU has a highly touted broadcast meteorology program, training approximately 1⁄3 of all on-air meteorologists. But we have Max Crawford and they don’t.
What To Watch For:
- “One game a time” mentality: This is the second of five straight game for A&M, including three straight at Kyle Field. After faltering down the stretch last season, keeping the mental edge each week will be crucial for this team to take the next step.
- Contain the ground game: Over the last three weeks, Mississippi State has averaged 47 rushes per game for 257 yards. Texas A&M’s rushing defense has appeared to improve with each passing week, and will be put to the test in a big way against the Bulldogs.
- PENALTIES!: The Aggies have committed 13 penalties in each of the past two games, and their 9.5 penalties per game is now the worst in the SEC. Want to know who is second-to-worst with 9.4 penalties per game? Mississippi State. The team who reduces those errors has a great shat at pulling this one out.
Media Blitz:
- Venue: Kyle Field (College Station, TX)
- Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
- TV: SEC Network
Weather:
- Mainly sunny. High 91F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
