One of the fiercest rivalries in all of college football returns for its 121st edition on Black Friday. Ole Miss and Mississippi State will play the annual Egg Bowl with the latest chapter of what’s a wild series full of bizarre moments and various subplots set to unfold in Starkville.
The stakes are high for both teams, too. This year’s host, Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6 SEC), is working to claw its way out of a hole that quickly deepened after the passing of former coach Mike Leach. The Bulldogs haven’t made a bowl game since 2022, but with Jeff Lebby now in his second year at the helm, there’s more optimism in Starkville than there has been in some time. An Egg Bowl win would launch the Bulldogs to bowl-eligibility and snap a downward streak for a program that went to 13 straight bowl games from 2010-22.
As for the visitors, No. 7 Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1), most of the talk surrounding the Rebels has been about whether coach Lane Kiffin will stay or go. That announcement is expected to come Saturday, according to athletic director Keith Carter. But for the time being, Kiffin said his team is blocking out the “noise” and focused on a win-and-you’re-in game. If Ole Miss beats Mississippi State, the team will essentially clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time ever. If they lose, and potentially have a coach hitting the door, the committee may have some concerns over letting the Rebs in.
From injury updates to start time and how to tune in live, here’s what else to know ahead of Friday’s Egg Bowl.
Clean injury reports
Both teams released relatively clean availability reports earlier in the week.
For Mississippi State, those listed were DL Will Whitson (out), OL Blake Steen (out), DB Jett Jefferson (out), OL Brennan Smith (out), and S Isaac Smith (questionable). Having Smith potentially able to play is encouraging after the SEC’s leading tackler from a season ago missed the team’s last game against Missouri. What did raise some eyebrows is that RB Davon Booth was listed as out for the first half, it later being revealed that he’s suspended over an undisclosed disciplinary matter.
For Ole Miss, those listed were LB Raymond Collins (doubtful), DB Antonio Kite (questionable), and WR Caleb Cunningham (probable). Kite has started most games this season.
Numbers to know
- 2,657: That’s how many passing yards Trindad Chambliss has for Ole Miss as he continues to be mentioned on some Heisman lists. The former Division II star came in after Austin Simmons was injured earlier in the year and hasn’t given the coaches any reason to take him out. He’s also tossed for 14 touchdowns, compared to three interceptions. Chambliss’ favorite receive has been Harrison Wallace III (647 yards on 42 catches with two touchdowns).
- 2,436: That’s how many passing yards Blake Shapen has for Mississippi State as the veteran tries to get back to the postseason for the first time since the 2022 Armed Forces Bowl when he was playing for Baylor. He’s also tossed for 15 touchdowns, compared to eight interceptions. Shapen’s favorite receiver has been Brenen Thompson (868 yards on 47 catches with six touchdowns).
- 19: That’s how many rushing touchdowns Kewan Lacy has for Ole Miss, a single-season record. He’s totaled 1,136 yards on the ground.
- 39: That’s where Mississippi State ranks in the FBS with a +3 turnover margin. Ole Miss is 97th with a -3 turnover margin.
- 3: That’s where Ole Miss ranks in the FBS with 493.8 yards per game on offense. On the flip side, Mississippi State’s defense allows 393.2 yards per game, which ranks 91st.
- 67-47-6: That’s the all-time record of the rivalry in favor of Ole Miss. The Egg Bowl carries with it more games played than the Iron Bowl (Alabama vs. Auburn), The Game (Michigan vs. Ohio State), and the Red River Rivalry (Oklahoma vs. Texas). The first matchup was in 1901 with the trophy being introduced in 1927. Ole Miss has won two in a row.
Egg Bowl start time
The Egg Bowl gets underway from Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville at 11 a.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 28.
How to listen to the Egg Bowl
For those tuning in via radio, SuperTalk Mississippi’s 12 talk stations will be airing the Egg Bowl. To find a station in your signal range, click here. You can also listen on the SuperTalk app, available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
How to watch the Egg Bowl
For those tuning in via TV, ABC is carrying the game. It can be streamed on the ESPN App.
