Mississippi State Faces Southern Miss in 2025 Season Opener Amid Transfer Connections

Mississippi State prepares to open its 2025 football season on the road against Southern Miss, a matchup that carries added intrigue due to several former Mississippi State players now on Southern Miss's roster. The Bulldogs enter the season under head coach Jeff Lebby, looking to improve offensively after a disappointing 2-10 record in 2024; key returning players include running backs Davon Booth and transfer Fluff Bothwell, while the receiving corps features new transfers but lacks a proven standout. Mississippi State boasts an impressive recent history in season openers, having won their last eight, despite going through five different head coaches in eight seasons, highlighting the program's instability yet resilience. The upcoming game also rekindles a rivalry atmosphere, especially with Southern Miss transfer Matt Jones, a former Ole Miss player, who carries a strong competitive spirit towards Mississippi State. Historically, Mississippi State's season-opening away games have been a mixed bag with some memorable victories and tough losses, adding context to the challenges they face on the road this year. Overall, Mississippi State aims to leverage its running back strength and new coaching stability to break from last year's struggles and build momentum starting with the Southern Miss game.