Mississippi College Football 2024: Exact Kickoff Dates Revealed
Mississippi College Football 2026: Your Simple Guide to Every Team’s Season Opener
Published: August 15, 2026 | By: Tia Reid, Clarion Ledger
What’s Happening?
The 2026 college football season is about to kick off! Mississippi has six Division I teams — that means they play at the highest level of college sports. Think of it like the "major leagues" for college football.
These six teams play in different "conferences" (leagues):
- FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision): The biggest schools with the most resources
- SEC (Southeastern Conference): The toughest conference in college football
- Sun Belt Conference: A growing conference with competitive teams
- FCS (Football Championship Subdivision): Still Division I, but with slightly different rules and playoffs
- SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference): Historic conference with HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)
ELI5 Alert: Think of FBS like the "varsity team" and FCS like the "junior varsity" — both are great, but FBS schools usually have bigger stadiums, more TV money, and more scholarships.
Quick Schedule at a Glance
| Team | Conference | First Game | Date & Time (CT) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson State | SWAC (FCS) | vs. Tennessee State | Aug 29, 7:30 PM | ESPN+ |
| Mississippi Valley State | SWAC (FCS) | @ Nicholls State | Aug 27, 6:00 PM | TBD |
| Mississippi State | SEC (FBS) | vs. Louisiana-Monroe | Sept 5, 6:30 PM | ESPNU |
| Southern Miss | Sun Belt (FBS) | vs. Alcorn State | Sept 5, 4:00 PM | ESPN+ |
| Alcorn State | SWAC (FCS) | @ Southern Miss | Sept 5, 4:00 PM | ESPN+ |
| Ole Miss | SEC (FBS) | vs. Louisville | Sept 6, 6:30 PM | ABC |
Important: Two Mississippi teams play each other week one! Southern Miss vs. Alcorn State on Sept 5 — that’s a rare in-state matchup between FBS and FCS.
Team-by-Team Breakdown
1. Ole Miss Rebels (SEC, FBS)
The "Championship Contenders"
- Last Year: 13-2 record — made it to the College Football Playoff semifinals (Final 4!)
- New Coach: Pete Golding (first full season as head coach)
- Star Player: QB Trinidad Chambliss returns — he’s the engine of the offense
- Preseason Ranking: #3 in the SEC (media poll) — huge expectations!
- Opener: vs. Louisville in Nashville (Music City Kickoff at Nissan Stadium)
- Why Watch: They’re legit title contenders. If Chambliss plays like a star, the Rebels could run the table.
2. Mississippi State Bulldogs (SEC, FBS)
The "Building Something New" Team
- Last Year: 5-8 record, lost in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
- Preseason Ranking: #15 in the SEC (near the bottom)
- New Leader: Sophomore QB Kamario Taylor — young but talented
- Opener: vs. Louisiana-Monroe at home in Starkville
- Why Watch: Low expectations = zero pressure. If Taylor develops fast, they could surprise people.
3. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (Sun Belt, FBS)
The "Comeback Kids"
- Two Years Ago: Only 1 win all season
- Last Year: Bounced back to 7-6 and made the New Orleans Bowl!
- New Coach: Blake Anderson (promoted from offensive coordinator — he knows the team)
- Preseason Ranking: #5 in Sun Belt West Division
- Opener: vs. Alcorn State at home in Hattiesburg
- Why Watch: Momentum is real. Can they keep climbing?
4. Jackson State Tigers (SWAC, FCS)
The "Standard of Excellence"
- Last Year: 9-3, won SWAC East Division, lost in conference championship
- Preseason Ranking: #2 in SWAC East (behind Florida A&M)
- Opener: vs. Tennessee State in Nashville (John A. Merritt Classic at FirstBank Stadium)
- Why Watch: Year in, year out, JSU is the class of the SWAC. High expectations, big stage.
5. Alcorn State Braves (SWAC, FCS)
The "Late Bloomers"
- Last Year: 5-7, but won 4 straight to end the season — hot streak!
- Preseason Ranking: #3 in SWAC West
- Opener: @ Southern Miss (same game as above — FBS vs. FCS showdown)
- Why Watch: That 4-game win streak wasn’t luck. They’re trending up.
6. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (SWAC, FCS)
The "Fresh Start" Team
- Last Year: 2-10 — tough season
- Coach: Terrell Buckley (Year 2 — former NFL star, knows defense)
- Preseason Ranking: Last in SWAC East
- Opener: @ Nicholls State in Thibodaux, Louisiana (Aug 27 — earliest start!)
- Why Watch: Buckley is a winner. Year 2 is usually where coaches install their full system.
Your Viewing Plan: 5 Steps to Follow Every Team
- Mark your calendar — Games span from Aug 27 to Sept 6
- Check streaming — Most games on ESPN+ (need subscription), one on ABC (free!), one on ESPNU (cable/streaming)
- Follow local beat writers — They know the team better than national TV
- Watch the QB battles — Chambliss (Ole Miss), Taylor (MSU), and JSU’s QB situation will decide seasons
- Root for the underdogs — MVSU, Alcorn, and MSU all have "prove them wrong" energy
Key Storylines to Watch
CALLOUT: THREE THINGS THAT MATTER MOST
- Can Ole Miss make the Playoff again? They lost talent but kept their QB and got a defensive-minded coach.
- Will Southern Miss keep rising? 1 win → 7 wins is rare. Year 3 under Anderson’s system could be special.
- SWAC supremacy: Jackson State vs. Alcorn State vs. Florida A&M — this conference race will be fire.
Summary
Mississippi football fans have six reasons to be excited this fall:
| Team | Vibe | Must-Watch Game |
|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss | National title dreams | vs. Louisville (Sept 6, ABC) |
| Mississippi State | Fresh start, young QB | vs. Louisiana-Monroe (Sept 5) |
| Southern Miss | Momentum builders | vs. Alcorn State (Sept 5, in-state!) |
| Jackson State | SWAC royalty | vs. Tennessee St. (Aug 29, Nashville) |
| Alcorn State | Quietly dangerous | @ Southern Miss (Sept 5) |
| Miss. Valley State | New culture loading | @ Nicholls St. (Aug 27) |
First kickoff: August 27 (Mississippi Valley State)
Last opener: September 6 (Ole Miss)
Best in-state clash: Southern Miss vs. Alcorn State — Sept 5, 4 PM, ESPN+
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What’s the difference between FBS and FCS?
FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) = bigger schools, 85 scholarships, bowl games, 4-team Playoff (expanding to 12).
FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) = still Division I, 63 scholarships, 24-team playoff tournament to decide champion. Both are elite — just different structures.
2. Why does Jackson State play in August while Ole Miss starts in September?
FCS seasons start one week earlier than FBS. Also, the SWAC often schedules "classic" games (like the John A. Merritt Classic) on weekends before Labor Day for exposure.
3. Can FCS teams beat FBS teams?
Yes! It happens almost every year. It’s called an "upset." Alcorn State beating Southern Miss wouldn’t shock anyone who follows SWAC football — those teams are disciplined and physical.
4. Who is Trinidad Chambliss and why does he matter?
He’s Ole Miss’s starting quarterback — the most important position in football. He led them to the Final 4 last year. If he’s healthy and improved, Ole Miss is a title threat. If not? Different story.
5. How can I watch these games without cable?
- ESPN+ ($11.99/month) carries most SWAC, Sun Belt, and some SEC games
- ABC is free over-the-air (antenna) or via streaming apps (YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Fubo, etc.)
- ESPNU requires a cable/streaming login — check if your provider includes it
Follow the coverage: Tia Reid covers Jackson State for the Clarion Ledger.
Email: treid@usatodayco.com | X (Twitter): @tiareid65
Geaux Rebels! Hail State! Go Eagles! Go Tigers! Go Braves! Go Delta Devils!
Mississippi football is back — pick your team (or root for all six) and enjoy the ride!