Every year the Bulldogs play their archrivals Ole Miss for the Golden Egg. This rivalry began when Mississippi State had to protect their goal posts with wooden chairs from Ole Miss fans. These two teams clash every year for the grand prize of being the coveted Egg Bowl victor. Ole Miss holds the edge in the all-time series 62-43-6, but the Bulldogs will look to narrow the gap when these instate rivals meet next.
Both Mississippi State and LSU are founders of the SEC meaning these two teams have played each other a lot over the years. In fact, LSU is Mississippi State’s second oldest rival after Ole Miss having played each other 109 times. LSU held the edge in the all-time series 72-34-3 and had won 14 meetings in a row leading up to 2014, but the Bulldogs have improved significantly over the last few seasons and will look to put a dent in LSU’s lead.
The rivalry between Mississippi State and Alabama is sometimes called the 90-mile drive or Battle for Highway 82 about the proximity of the two schools. These two schools are two of the closest SEC schools geographically, and there is no love lost when these two foes meet. Mississippi State hasn’t fared super well against Bama over the years. However, the Bulldogs have managed to win an impressive eight times at Bryant-Denny Stadium over the years, which is tied for the most with LSU.
Bulldogs Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
With their recent success on the field, the Mississippi State University Bulldogs are drawing more of a crowd than ever before at Davis Wade Stadium. Students and fans anxiously await the playing of “Hail State” at promptly 4 pm the day before kickoff, signifying the earliest time tailgates can be set up. Cowbells in hand, students have a unique tradition of using these musical instruments to ring right on game day. Everyone at Mississippi State University is part of the band. From Scott Field to the jumbotrons, you’ll never miss a beat.
Fans pour into the Junction on the south side of the stadium before kickoff to get their tailgate on, and they prove to be one of the loudest fan bases in all of college football. Considered widely by many to be the ultimate tailgate experience. Fans are as close to the stadium as you can get.
If you want to experience the tailgating downtown at the bars, there are free shuttles with a designated driver at the helm to take you to the game. You may want to park downtown and use the shuttle service if you plan on celebrating at the bars after a win.
There are several big games played here because Mississippi State is in the powerhouse conference that is the SEC. Tailgating can be as much a part of game day as the game itself since Mississippi State University has reclaimed its prominence is in the college football rankings.
Before the kickoff fans can submit their tweets and photos to air on the video boards during the game. It is a great experience to be acknowledged at one of college football’s most historic venues. Games often sell out as fans show up in mass support to cheer on their Bulldogs, so come on down to Mississippi State where you’ll have a great time tailgating and rooting for MSU.
The Dawg Walk takes places approximately two hours before kickoff and is a chance for all Bulldogs fans to show off their MSU spirit. You’ll be able to see the band, cheer team, players, and coaches march to the stadium right before your very eyes. Make sure to get to the game early so that you can take part in this great tradition.
When looking for a spot to tailgate at MSU, look no further than the Junction. Added in 2007, it gives fans a place to come before game day, as well as on game day. It is open after 4 pm the day before game day and 5 hours before the game on game day.
The JunctionWhen looking for a spot to tailgate at MSU, look no farther than the Junction. Added in 2007, it gives fans a place to come before game day, as well as on game day. It is open after 4 pm the day before game day and 5 hours before the game on game day.
The 1878 ClubIf you want to tailgate in style at Mississippi State then check out The 1878 Club. Here you’ll find a whole group of suites designed for the premium tailgating experience. These 400-foot suites feature hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, vaulted ceilings, and four HD TVs.
Bulldogs Stadium Guide
In Game
The home of the Mississippi State Bulldogs is Davis Wade Stadium, the fifth oldest stadium in college football as it was constructed in 1914. The stadium’s current capacity is just over 60,000 after a $75 million expansion that was completed in August of 2014. Davis Wade Stadium is also home to the second largest video board in the SEC (seventh in all of college football), measuring at a whopping 111 feet wide and 47 feet tall. The stadium itself is named after Floyd Davis Wade, Sr., co-founder, and director of Aflac, who made a sizeable donation to the 1999 renovation and expansion project that was completed in 2002.
The crowd at Davis Wade Stadium is getting bigger and louder as the Mississippi State Bulldogs due to their impressive performances at home in recent years, as well as the renovations making the stadium more fan friendly. The most recent expansion brought the tailgating atmosphere inside by building terraces on the scoreboard level that open up and are welcoming to fans. The student section was also expanded from 2,000 seats to over 8,000 and consolidated the students in the north end zone, providing a new home field advantage that wasn’t always there inside Davis Wade Stadium.
The 2014 season marked one hundred years of football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and they have much to be proud of! Such as a newly renovated and expanded stadium, the first ever #1 ranking in the Coaches Poll as well as the AP Poll in 2014, and an impressive record of thirty-one consecutive sellout games inside Davis Wade Stadium.
Despite having the 5th oldest stadium in college football history, Davis Wade Stadium is home to some of the most advanced scoreboards, too. See replays, and maybe you can help tell the refs to reverse a call. Or just be close to the action no matter where you’re sitting. Either way, it’s a sight in itself.
This luxury seating area is unique to Mississippi state and cannot be found anywhere else throughout college football. It’s meant to be an authentic replica of the field, but you’ll also find that it’s filled to the brim with modern furniture and amenities. The Gridiron is great and will even allow you to be right next to Scott Field.
The most distinct (and loud) tradition at Mississippi State University is the use of cowbells during the game. The origins of this tradition are unclear, but the cowbell has been a staple of Bulldogs games since the 50s. The tradition was put on hold though for a while when the SEC banned artificial noisemakers that making it illegal to sound the cowbell during the game, thus halting the tradition for the next thirty-six years. During the spring of 2010, the twelve SEC schools agreed to make a compromise regarding noisemakers as the cowbells were a historical and significant role in Mississippi State University history. So in the fall of 2010, cowbells were permitted on a one-year trial basis with specified restrictions (pregame, quarter breaks, half-times, time outs, and when Mississippi scores); due to Bulldogs fans adhering to and being respectful of the restrictions in place, cowbells are officially allowed back into Davis Wade Stadium.
he live mascot of Mississippi State University is Bully, an American Kennel Club registered English Bulldog and had been the official mascot of MSU since 1935. A student wearing a Bulldog suit (also named Bully) is part of the MSU cheerleading team and helps to stir up State spirit at games and pep rallies.
The Famous Maroon Band is the official band of Mississippi State University. The band can be found performing at the tailgate as well as during the pregame and halftime. One of the most famous routines carried out by the band is the spelling out of STATE during the pregame performance, which is accompanied by fans cheering and ringing their cowbells.
Hail Dear Old State, Fight for that victory today, Hit that line and tote that ball, Cross the goal before you fall, And then we’ll yell, YELL YELL YELL! For Dear Old State we’ll yell like H-E-L-L, Fight for Mississippi State, Win that game today (Repeat Verse)
Mr. Touchdown, U.S.A.
They always call him Mr. Touchdown. They always call him Mr. Team. He can run, and kick and throw. Give him the ball and just look at him go! Hip, hip, hooray for Mr. Touchdown! He’s gonna beat ‘em today! So give a great big cheer for the hero of the year! It’s Mr. Touchdown, U.S.A.!
Madelon
O Madelon you are the only one O Madelon for you we’ll carry on It’s so long since we have seen a miss Won’t you give us just a kiss? But Madelon she takes it all in fun She laugh and says “You’ll see it can’t be done, for I’m true to the whole regiment!” Madelon, Madelon, Madelon!
Great southern cooked food with an original creativity in a sports grill atmosphere. STAGgerIN prides itself in offering a lot of food at a fair price.
Originating in Starkville, Mississippi, The Little Dooey™ has become the most popular barbeque destination in the region, attracting regular, local diners and guests from all over the country.
A sophisticated atmosphere with a laid-back twist, The Grill is a place that is comfortable and welcoming like a local sports bar but provides an upscale dining experience.
Watch video
