The Sooners will travel to Starkville to meet Mississippi State in Week 8 of the 2026 season, a return trip that carries extra intrigue because the Bulldogs are led by former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby.
Timing and context
The game is slated for Oct. 24 at Davis Wade Stadium, with kickoff expected in one of the midafternoon or early-evening windows. This matchup will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs and comes as Oklahoma begins its third season in the SEC and Brent Venables’ fifth season as head coach in Norman.
How Mississippi State looks on paper
Mississippi State struggled in 2025, finishing 5-8 overall and 1-7 in conference play, which placed the Bulldogs near the bottom of the SEC standings. Jeff Lebby enters Year 3 in Starkville with a program still trying to find consistent traction; his record at Mississippi State stands at 7-18.
The Bulldogs return a modest core of experience: six returning starters, including two on offense and four on defense. That continuity centers around a few playmakers and veteran linemen.
- Offense: QB Kamario Taylor; RB Fluff Bothwell; WR Anthony Evans III (67 catches, 831 yards, 4 TD in 2025)
- Offensive line: Center Canon Boone (13 starts)
- Defense: DT Jaray Bledsoe; DE Trevion Williams; LBs Zakari Tillman and Jalen Smith; CB Kelley Jones
| Item | 2025 figure / note |
|---|---|
| Overall record | 5-8 |
| SEC record | 1-7 |
| Returning starters | 6 (2 offense, 4 defense) |
Players to watch
Mississippi State’s most productive skill-player from 2025 was wide receiver Anthony Evans III, who posted 67 receptions for 831 yards and four touchdowns. On the defensive front, linemen and linebackers such as Jaray Bledsoe, Trevion Williams, Zakari Tillman and Jalen Smith supplied the Bulldogs with veteran presence. Cornerback Kelley Jones led the secondary with two interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
For Oklahoma, the matchup poses both schematic and emotional challenges. Lebby’s familiarity with OU offensive personnel and systems adds a storyline overlay to what will otherwise be a regular conference test. The Sooners, fresh off a 10-win season and a playoff appearance, will want to avoid letting that edge swing to the Bulldogs in a hostile Starkville environment.
Specific betting lines are not yet available this far out. As the season approaches, personnel changes, injuries and spring and fall camp developments will clarify the matchup more fully. For now, the early indicators suggest Mississippi State will lean on its returning defensive leaders and selective offensive playmaking while trying to close gaps that opened up in its 2025 SEC slate.
Fans should mark their calendars for Oct. 24 and expect more detailed scouting reports as both programs progress through spring practice and fall camp.
