College football eve is upon us in Mississippi, and fans of the state’s Division I FBS programs know exactly what that means — tailgating, thrilling wins, heartbreaking losses, and unforgettable moments with loved ones on the horizon.
This year, two of Mississippi’s big three programs will square off in a week-one showdown, while the other will host a non-conference foe with a couple of familiar faces.
Southern Miss vs. Mississippi State
Looking at the game starting things off on Saturday, once ESPN’s “College GameDay” wraps up its celebration of legendary coach and show host Lee Corso, the cameras will immediately pan to what is expected to be a raucous scene in Hattiesburg where Southern Miss is set to welcome Mississippi State.
The in-state battle will begin Charles Huff’s inaugural campaign as the Golden Eagles’ head coach and year two of the Jeff Lebby era with the Bulldogs. Southern Miss’ cast will be headlined by Braylon Braxton, a dual-threat quarterback who helped lead Huff’s Marshall Thundering Herd to a Sun Belt championship a season ago, along with talented defensive back Josh Moten.
Blake Shapen, coming off a season-ending surgery in 2024, will take the reins once again as Lebby’s signal-caller, while preseason All-SEC defensive back Isaac Smith is anticipated to be the team’s leader on the other side of the ball.
Though Mississippi State opens things up on the road, the Bulldogs currently sit as 13.5-point favorites over the Golden Eagles, per ESPN.
Date: Sat., Aug. 30
Time: 11 a.m. CT
Location: M.M. Roberts Stadium
TV: ESPN
Radio: Participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations
No. 21 Ole Miss vs. Georgia State
After college football fans in Mississippi have had time to digest the opening in-state matchup, another contest featuring a local team will kick off. No. 21 Ole Miss will host Georgia State, with the game slated to begin just as the sun starts to set.
Going into year six in Oxford, Lane Kiffin will look to have his crew ready to land in the College Football Playoff after narrowly missing the 12-team field with arguably the most talented roster in program history in 2024. Commandeering the Rebels’ offense will be sophomore southpaw Austin Simmons, who takes over for now-New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. Defensively, veteran linebackers Suntarine Perkins and TJ Dottery will be among Pete Golding’s defensive leaders.
As for Georgia State, the Panthers enter the 2025 campaign after a 3-9 mark in head coach Dell McGee’s debut season. However, the Sun Belt squad did post a momentous win over Vanderbilt. McGee’s year-two supporting cast features a few faces familiar to Mississippi. Former Ole Miss player and coach Enrique Davis oversees the Panthers’ running backs room. Featured in his stable are former Rebel back Rashad Amos and Canton native Branson Robinson.
Ole Miss enters its season opener as 34.5-point favorites over Georgia State, according to ESPN.
Date: Sat., Aug. 30
Time: 6:45 p.m. CT
Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations
As always, SuperTalk Mississippi News will provide postgame articles detailing what occurred in the matchups, along with what coaches and players had to say.
