Bulldogs Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Football

Head Coach: Zach Arnett

Team Mascot: Bully

Year Opened: 1914

Capacity: 60311

City / State: Mississippi State / Mississippi

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Mississippi State vs Ole Miss

Rival Team: Ole Miss Rebels

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.

Mississippi State vs LSU

Rival Team: LSU Tigers

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.

Mississippi State vs Alabama

Rival Team: Alabama Crimson Tide

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.

Traditions

Dawg Walk

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.

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The Junction

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.

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Where to tailgate

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.

Things to check out

The Scoreboard

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.

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The Gridiron

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.

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Cowbells

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.

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Bully

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.

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Famous Maroon Band

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.

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Fight Songs

  1. Hail State

    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)

  2. 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.!

  3. 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!

Bulldogs Bars & Restaurants

  1. Harvey’s

    Harveys

    Amazingly delicious steaks at an affordable price and excellent service!

    406 MS-12, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-323-1669

    Bar website

    steakhouse - $$

  2. StaggerIn

    StaggerIn

    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.

    106 Maxwell St, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-324-2447

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  3. Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern

    Daves Dark Horse Tavern

    Dimly lit pub featuring local bands, sports on TV & a variety of deep-dish & thin-crust pizza.

    410 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr E, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-324-3316

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Oby’s

    Obys sandwich

    Fall in love with New Orleans style, taste and tradition!

    504 Academy Rd, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-323-0444

    Bar website

    american - $$

  5. Stromboli’s

    Strombolis pizza

    Starkville's favorite place for amazing friends and food.

    408 University Dr, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-615-4080

    Bar website

    italian - pizza - $

  6. Bop’s

    Bops sweets

    Bop's is a gourmet homemade style ice cream store. Our specialties are concretes, sundaes, frappes and more!

    127 MS-12, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-323-5449

    Bar website

    american - $

  7. Petty’s Carry Out

    Pettys Carry Out sandwich

    Petty's Barbecue serves up the best pulled pork and rib plates in the United States, in the opinion of all who are fortunate enough to discover it.

    103 MS-12, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-324-2363

    Bar website

    bbq - $

  8. McAlister’s Deli

    McAlisters Deli

    Home of handcrafted sandwiches, fresh salads, giant spuds and Famous Sweet Tea.

    500 Russell St #7, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-324-2565

    Bar website

    american - $$

  9. Restaurant Tyler

    Restaurant Tyler

    Offering the best of Mississippi on a plate.

    100 E Main St, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-324-1014

    Bar website

    american - $$

  10. Little Dooey

    Little Dooey burger

    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.

    100 Fellowship St, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-323-6094

    Bar website

    bbq - $$

  11. Central Station Grill

    Central Station Grill

    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.

    200 S Montgomery St, Starkville, MS 39759, USA

    662-327-6982

    Bar website

    american - $$