Predicting every Mississippi State football score in 2026. Will MSU reach bowl game?

Mississippi State football is set to embark on a crucial 2026 season under Coach Jeff Lebby. The team started the year with a 5-8 record and is aiming to climb the standings. Due to the SEC's decision to add a ninth conference game, Mississippi State will have to cancel their nonconference matchup against Troy. New starting quarterback Kamario Taylor will lead the Bulldogs, while Coach Lebby's coaching staff has undergone several changes, including former coach Zach Arnett returning as defensive coordinator.

Here's Mississippi State's predicted game-by-game schedule for the 2026 college football season:

- September 5: Mississippi State vs. ULM at Davis Wade Stadium, 6:30 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs are predicted to win with a score of 41-7.

- September 12: Mississippi State at Minnesota in Huntington Bank Stadium, 2:30 p.m. CT. Minnesota, with quarterback Drake Lindsey, is expected to defeat Mississippi State 30-26.

- September 19: Mississippi State at South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium, 3:15 p.m. CT. Mississippi State is predicted to win 27-24.

- September 19: Mississippi State vs. Missouri at Davis Wade Stadium, 5-7 p.m. CT. With star running back Ahmad Hardy recovering from an offseason injury, Mississippi State is predicted to win 26-24.

- October 3: Mississippi State vs. Alabama at Davis Wade Stadium, 11 a.m.-noon CT. Alabama is expected to win 37-20 in a game that comes as part of a challenging October schedule.

- October 17: Mississippi State at LSU at Tiger Stadium, 11 a.m.-noon CT. LSU is predicted to win 31-21 after overcoming a strip sack of quarterback Kamario Taylor.

- October 24: Mississippi State at Oklahoma at Davis Wade Stadium. The game is expected to go into overtime, with Oklahoma winning 34-27.

- October 31: Mississippi State at Texas at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium, 5-7 p.m. CT. Texas is predicted to win 27-13, marking Mississippi State's first real offensive struggle of the season.

- November 7: Mississippi State at Vanderbilt at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State is expected to win 24-20, despite the Commodores' usual ease.

- November 14: Mississippi State at Auburn at Davis Wade Stadium. Auburn's new coach Alex Golesh brings in USF quarterback Byrum Brown, but Mississippi State is predicted to win 23-21.

- November 21: Mississippi State vs. Tennessee Tech at Davis Wade Stadium, Noon CT. A predicted easy win that would secure bowl eligibility for Mississippi State.

- November 27: Mississippi State at Ole Miss at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, 11 a.m. CT. Mississippi State enters the Egg Bowl with newfound confidence, predicted to win 56-6.