MS State Permanent Rivals

Alabama Crimson Tide – While not as sexy as the “Iron Bowl” or even the “Egg Bowl”, “The Battle for Highway 82″ (Yes, that’s a thing) holds significance to the respective fan bases. Much of this game’s vitriol revolves around proximity. Starkville, MS and Tuscaloosa, AL are only separated by 83 miles. 

This games’ matchup doesn’t go quite as far back as “The Iron Bowl”, but it does date back a respectable 129 years. The first meeting was on October 24, 1896 when the Crimson Tide trounced the Bulldogs 20-0. In fact, it wasn’t until year 4 that MS State scored at all. In that game they actually won 11-0. 8 of the first 10 meetings ended in a shutout. Alabama won 6 of those first 10 and MS State won 3 and they tied once. Having set that tone, Alabama holds a slight edge in victories against the folks from Stark Vegas, 87-18-3, winning the last 16 straight. In all honesty, it’s hard to call this matchup a rivalry, but I know for a fact the folks in Starkville certainly do.

Ole Miss Rebels – Ahhh, the “Egg Bowl”. Traditionally called the “Battle for the Golden Egg”. Ole Miss and Mississippi State have been playing this game since 1901. It has been contested annually for 119 of the last 123 years. As a proud Mississippian, I can tell you that this game ranks right there with the “Iron Bowl”, Army/Navy, and “The Game”. Although Oxford and Starkville are only 90 miles apart, they may just as well be on different planets. ~Credit Reporter Here 

In simple terms (in deference to Southern Miss), Ole Miss trains doctors and lawyers while Mississippi State trains engineers and veterinarians. Although their respective student bodies are the same age, these two groups of kids are not the same!

Ole Miss currently holds the edge in the series 66-47 with 6 ties and they have won the last two in a row. The “Egg Bowl” will be contested this year on Black Friday, November 28th in Starkville.

Vanderbilt Commodores – Mississippi State and Vanderbilt have played football only 24 times in their respective histories, but the first one was all the way back in 1904 when they played the game in Columbus, MS. Vanderbilt won that contest 61-0 and they didn’t play for another 19 years when they tied 0-0. That must have been a thriller. Overall, MS State does hold the advantage in the series 15-7 with 2 ties.

P.S. My biggest question about this is, where on earth did they play in Columbus? I’ve been there 100 times and the only thing there is the Mississippi University for Women (or “The Dub” as we affectionately know it). It just doesn’t add up! Vandy beating State by 61 in Columbus. It all seems sus! Just sayin’!