It is no secret that Mississippi State Football was the black sheep of the Southeastern Conference last season. As a school in the most difficult conference, you would think that MSU would at least win one conference game, but that did not happen in 2024. 

Going 2-10 is bad enough, but going 0-8 in your own conference is embarrassing. MSU finished the season ranked last in the SEC, but in their defense, they faced teams like Texas, which made it to the College Football Playoff Semifinals and put up a fight against the National Champion team, Ohio State.

Last season was criticized enough, but just like everything else, good things take time. That is what the Bulldog locker room has been preaching. 

“Inside our walls right now, we have great belief, we have great hope, we have great energy,” Head Coach Jeff Lebby said at the 2025 SEC Media Day. “Our guys are incredibly intent on getting better and changing the outcome this fall.” 

As a sports fan, it is hard to continue supporting and cheering for a team when you are let down every weekend, but when it becomes obvious that the team is working harder each practice, it makes picking up a cowbell feel meaningful again. 

Lebby and his staff have accumulated over 50 commits and transfers, including two great quarterbacks, Luke Kromenhoek, a transfer from Florida State University, and Kamario Taylor, a true four-star freshman. 

There’s an old saying that goes “out with the old, in with the new,” and that is what State’s roster is looking like. Four-star commits Tyler Lockhart and Fluff Bothwell have the ability to assist the team in having a show-out season. 

Alongside new players, Lebby also added 3 new coaches to his staff.

Phil Loadholt and Vincent Dancy traveled from Colorado to Starkville, and no coach switches programs unless they see an opportunity; they see potential. 

Colorado finished their 2024 season 9-4 in the Big 12, so Loadholt and Dancy must be seeing something that fans cannot see yet, which is why they made the huge move. 

This duo proved their power during their time at Colorado, and it would be an understatement to say that State fans are eager to see how they can turn the Bulldogs around. 

Paul Rhoads, a well-known name in the SEC, will also be joining Lebby’s staff here in Starkville. Rhoads served as head coach for numerous teams throughout his career, spending a seven-year tenure at Iowa State, and has also served as defensive coordinator and position coach at other schools. 

Rhoads will be the senior defensive analyst, while Loadholt will be the offensive line coach and Dancy will lead defensive ends and outside linebackers. 

This season holds a lot of potential, but also uncertainty. State will face highly competitive teams like No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Georgia, but the Bulldogs will have the advantage of proving the hate wrong on their home turf, especially against Ole Miss, the season’s most important game to fans. 

Mississippi State will start its season on Aug. 30 vs Southern Miss, then return home for the first two night games of the season against Alcorn State and Arizona State. 

The players and coaching staff at Mississippi State may be more frustrated than anyone, and when that anger turns to fuel, State may just rock the SEC. So, fans, dust off your cowbells, warm up your wrists and get ready to ring all season long.