“Starkville vs. Everybody.”

Those words have circulated on social media and become a rallying cry for Mississippi State University fans since the Bulldogs’ 24-20 win over Arizona State University on Sept.6.

Tables are turning for Mississippi State. In recent years, MSU has become the black sheep of the SEC, a team other SEC schools would see on their roster and think of as a ‘cupcake game.’ However, with Mississippi State Athletics’ astounding success across the board this season, the narrative around MSU is changing.

Football, volleyball and soccer have collectively been the talk of the town because of their astounding performances this past month. Two out of the three sports remain undefeated as conference play begins across the south. 

Football is arguably the biggest sport at colleges in the South, so when your football team does not perform well, it sets the tone of how people view your school. Last year, the 2-10 record left no room for hope that MSU would be considered a competitive SEC team, but the players have continuously proven that wrong each week.

Gambling plays a huge role in college athletics. Before the season started, some sports bettors bet that MSU football would win no more than 3.5 games this season. It is now week four, and the Dawgs have surpassed that bet.

In 12 games last year, the Dawgs put up 310 points, but in just four games so far this year, they have put up 159. In simple terms, the team has scored over half of last season’s total points in just four games this season. 

State football is currently 4-0. This marks the first 4-0 start in over a decade. After seeing history start to repeat itself, fans wonder just how far our football team will go this year. The Dawgs will begin conference play against Tennessee on Sept. 27 for a whiteout at Davis Wade, remaining unranked. 

Also unranked this season is the women’s Volleyball team, which is currently 10-0. Last season, the Lady Dawgs ended their season with an 11-14 record. This year, they have already shown immense improvement, winning just one fewer game in pre-conference play than they won in the entirety of last season. 

MSU volleyball has not had a start this good since 2000, when the team won its first 11 games, something that has not happened since. In the 38 sets that they have played so far this season, they have shut out almost every game, aside from five lost sets. Seven out of 11 matches have been 3-0 wins for the Bulldogs.

The team is now finished with non-conference play and is scheduled to see its first SEC match-up against the University of Florida on Sept. 26.

And then there is Mississippi State soccer, one of Starkville’s favorite sports to ring for. The team has defeated both ranked teams that they have played so far. 

The first-ranked team they played was No. 10 Wake Forest, which they knocked down 2-1, followed by the win over No. 1 Tennessee with a score of 3-2. Conference play has already begun for the Dawgs, and spirits are high that it will be a successful SEC season. 

Their next game will be against Missouri. They will be going into this game with a 7-1-1 record and are ranked the No. 12 team.

All the successes flooding Starkville have been circling through social media, specifically on @redcuphailstate, with posts saying, “I want you to put the word out there that we back up.”

Everyone doubted MSU, hence the weekly “Believe” posts to try to get people to continue believing in the Bulldogs. Students, faculty, alumni and friends are showing up now more than ever for what seems to be a historic athletic season for the Dawgs.

After each win, @redcuphailstate Instagram posts memes engaging all of the community in a funny, lighthearted celebration because ultimately, we are so back.