The latest Tennessee vs MS State football statistics show a long SEC rivalry with 49 all-time meetings through September 27, 2025. Tennessee leads the series 31-16-1 and has won three straight meetings, including the latest 41-34 overtime thriller in Starkville.
The two programs are not scheduled to meet during the 2026 regular season. Therefore, the most recent head-to-head result remains the September 27, 2025 game, while the 2026 statistics below describe each team’s separate current-season performance.
Through September 26, 2026, Tennessee was 3-1 after a 20-17 home loss to No. 1 Texas, while Mississippi State was 4-0 after defeating Missouri 31-24. That makes current-season form an important part of any statistical comparison.
Quick Answer
Here are the most important Tennessee vs MS State football statistics:
| Statistic | Tennessee | Mississippi State |
|---|---|---|
| All-time meetings | 49 | 49 |
| All-time wins | 31 | 16 |
| All-time losses | 16 | 31 |
| All-time ties | 1 | 1 |
| Tennessee home record in series | 15-7 | — |
| Tennessee away record in series | 14-9 | — |
| Current 2026 record | 3-1 | 4-0 |
| 2026 conference record | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| 2026 points scored | 160 | 172 |
| 2026 points allowed | 62 | 84 |
| Latest H2H result | W 41-34 OT | L 34-41 OT |
| H2H winning streak | 3 Tennessee wins | — |
The historical record comes from Tennessee Athletics’ official opponent-history database. Current-season point totals are calculated directly from each team’s four completed 2026 games through September 26.
Tennessee vs MS State Head-to-Head Record
Tennessee and Mississippi State have met 49 times, with the first meeting taking place on November 16, 1907. Tennessee’s official record shows 31 wins, 16 losses and one tie.
| H2H category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total meetings | 49 |
| Tennessee wins | 31 |
| Mississippi State wins | 16 |
| Ties | 1 |
| Tennessee home record | 15-7 |
| Tennessee away record | 14-9 |
| Conference record | 18-7-1 |
| Tennessee current streak | 3 wins |
| First meeting | Nov. 16, 1907 |
| Most recent meeting | Sept. 27, 2025 |
The series has been played primarily as an SEC matchup, although the programs have also gone through periods without meeting. Tennessee’s official history lists its most recent 10-game record against Mississippi State as 9-1 from 1995 through 2025.
Previous Tennessee vs Mississippi State Meetings
The most recent meetings provide useful context for the current rivalry.
| Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 27, 2025 | Starkville | Tennessee 41-34 OT |
| Nov. 9, 2024 | Knoxville | Tennessee 33-14 |
| Oct. 12, 2019 | Knoxville | Tennessee 20-10 |
| Oct. 13, 2012 | Starkville | Mississippi State 41-31 |
| Oct. 18, 2008 | Knoxville | Tennessee 34-3 |
| Oct. 13, 2007 | Starkville | Tennessee 33-21 |
| Nov. 15, 2003 | Knoxville | Tennessee 59-21 |
| Nov. 16, 2002 | Starkville | Tennessee 35-17 |
| Dec. 5, 1998 | Atlanta | Tennessee 24-14 |
| Sept. 23, 1995 | Knoxville | Tennessee 52-14 |
Tennessee won nine of those 10 meetings. Mississippi State’s most recent victory before the current Tennessee winning streak came in 2012, when the Bulldogs won 41-31 in Starkville.
Latest Match Result: 41-34 in Overtime
The latest Tennessee vs MS State football meeting was played on September 27, 2025, at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.
Tennessee won 41-34 in overtime after the teams finished regulation tied at 34-34. DeSean Bishop scored a 25-yard touchdown on Tennessee’s first overtime snap, while the Tennessee defense stopped Mississippi State on four consecutive plays inside the 5-yard line.
2025 Game Statistics
| Team statistic | Tennessee | Mississippi State |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 41 | 34 |
| First downs | 24 | 24 |
| Rushing yards | 131 | 203 |
| Passing yards | 335 | 175 |
| Total offense | 466 | 378 |
| Plays | 72 | 86 |
| Penalties | 6-60 | 6-71 |
| Result | Win | Loss |
The statistical profile was unusual because Mississippi State produced more rushing yards, while Tennessee gained considerably more through the air and finished with the higher total-yardage figure.
Key Player Statistics From the Latest Meeting
Several individual performances stood out in the 2025 matchup.
| Player | Team | Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| Joey Aguilar | Tennessee | 335 passing yards |
| Mike Matthews | Tennessee | 118 receiving yards |
| Chris Brazzell II | Tennessee | 105 receiving yards |
| DeSean Bishop | Tennessee | 72 rushing yards |
| Blake Shapen | Mississippi State | 175 passing yards |
| Fluff Bothwell | Mississippi State | 134 rushing yards |
| Ayden Williams | Mississippi State | 49 receiving yards |
Tennessee’s official box score identifies Aguilar as the game’s leading passer, Bishop as Tennessee’s leading rusher and Matthews as its leading receiver. Mississippi State’s leaders were Shapen, Bothwell and Williams in those same categories.
2026 Tennessee Football Form
Tennessee entered the 2026 season with three consecutive victories before facing Texas in Week 4.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5, 2026 | Furman | Knoxville | W 56-9 |
| Sept. 12, 2026 | Georgia Tech | Atlanta | W 45-24 |
| Sept. 19, 2026 | Kennesaw State | Knoxville | W 42-9 |
| Sept. 26, 2026 | Texas | Knoxville | L 17-20 |
That left Tennessee at 3-1 overall and 0-1 in SEC play through September 26. The Volunteers had scored 160 points and allowed 62 across those four games.
The Texas game was particularly close. Tennessee held a 17-13 lead during the fourth quarter before Texas scored the decisive touchdown with 1:22 remaining.
2026 Mississippi State Football Form
Mississippi State began 2026 with four consecutive wins.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5, 2026 | ULM | Starkville | W 62-13 |
| Sept. 12, 2026 | Minnesota | Minneapolis | W 38-13 |
| Sept. 19, 2026 | South Carolina | Columbia | W 41-34 |
| Sept. 26, 2026 | Missouri | Starkville | W 31-24 |
The Bulldogs were therefore 4-0 overall and 1-0 in SEC play through September 26. They had scored 172 points and conceded 84 in those four games.
Mississippi State’s 31-24 victory over Missouri was its first home win against a ranked opponent in a top-25 matchup since 2014, according to the program’s official postgame report.
2026 Team Performance Comparison
The current-season numbers provide a useful snapshot, but the sample contains only four games for each program.
| 2026 statistic through Sept. 26 | Tennessee | Mississippi State |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 3-1 | 4-0 |
| SEC record | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Points scored | 160 | 172 |
| Points allowed | 62 | 84 |
| Average points scored | 40.0 | 43.0 |
| Average points allowed | 15.5 | 21.0 |
| Home record | 2-1 | 2-0 |
| Away record | 1-0 | 2-0 |
These averages are calculated from the official 2026 results. Tennessee’s four scores were 56, 45, 42 and 17, while Mississippi State’s were 62, 38, 41 and 31.
The comparison also shows why current-season statistics should not be confused with the historical rivalry. Tennessee has the stronger all-time head-to-head record, while Mississippi State had the better win-loss record at this specific point of the 2026 season.
Home and Away Records
Venue has been an important part of the series.
Tennessee’s official history lists a 15-7 home record and a 14-9 away record against Mississippi State. The latest meeting was played in Starkville, where Tennessee won 41-34 in overtime.
For the current 2026 season, Tennessee is 2-1 at home and 1-0 away through September 26. Mississippi State is 2-0 at home and 2-0 away.
2026 Venue Breakdown
| Team | Home | Away | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 2-1 | 1-0 | 3-1 |
| Mississippi State | 2-0 | 2-0 | 4-0 |
Statistical and Tactical Comparison
The latest head-to-head game showed two contrasting offensive profiles. Tennessee gained 335 passing yards and 131 rushing yards, while Mississippi State recorded 175 passing yards and 203 rushing yards. As a result, Tennessee finished with 466 total yards compared with 378 for the Bulldogs.
The 2026 season has also produced some interesting differences. Tennessee’s September 26 game against Texas was much lower-scoring than its first three games, finishing 20-17. Meanwhile, Mississippi State’s first four contests all reached at least 24 combined points for the Bulldogs and their opponents, including a 499-yard offensive performance against Missouri.
For example, Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns against Missouri, while running back Fluff Bothwell rushed for 122 yards. Anthony Evans III also surpassed 100 receiving yards in that game.
Important Tennessee vs MS State Facts
- The football series began in 1907.
- There have been 49 meetings through September 27, 2025.
- Tennessee leads the series 31-16-1.
- Tennessee has won the last three meetings.
- Tennessee’s latest victory came 41-34 in overtime in 2025.
- Mississippi State’s most recent win came in 2012, by a 41-31 score.
- Tennessee’s largest listed win in the series was 59-21 in 2003.
- The closest listed Tennessee victory was 14-13 in 1964.
- Tennessee’s last 10-game record against Mississippi State is 9-1.
- The teams are not scheduled to play each other in the 2026 regular season.
- Through September 26, 2026, Tennessee was 3-1, while Mississippi State was 4-0.
- Mississippi State opened SEC play with a 41-34 road win over South Carolina.
- Tennessee opened SEC play with a 20-17 home loss to Texas.
Current-Season Context and Next Meetings
The 2026 schedules place the programs on different conference paths. Tennessee’s remaining schedule includes Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky, Texas A&M, LSU and Vanderbilt. Mississippi State’s remaining schedule includes Alabama, LSU, Texas, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Tennessee Tech and Ole Miss.
Because there is no Tennessee-Mississippi State game on either team’s 2026 regular-season schedule, the latest direct matchup remains the 2025 overtime contest. Consequently, current-season comparisons should be viewed as separate team-form statistics rather than new head-to-head numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tennessee vs MS State head-to-head record?
Tennessee leads Mississippi State 31-16-1 after 49 all-time football meetings. Tennessee has also won the last three games in the series.
How many times have Tennessee and Mississippi State played?
The programs have played 49 times, with the first meeting occurring on November 16, 1907.
Who won the latest Tennessee vs MS State football game?
Tennessee won the latest meeting 41-34 in overtime on September 27, 2025, at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.
What were the previous Tennessee vs MS State results?
The latest four meetings were Tennessee wins in 2025 and 2024, Tennessee’s 20-10 victory in 2019, and Mississippi State’s 41-31 win in 2012.
How are Tennessee and Mississippi State performing in 2026?
Through September 26, 2026, Tennessee was 3-1, while Mississippi State was 4-0. Tennessee lost its latest game 20-17 to Texas, while Mississippi State defeated Missouri 31-24.
What is Tennessee’s record against Mississippi State at home?
Tennessee’s official series history lists a 15-7 home record against Mississippi State.
What is Tennessee’s away record against Mississippi State?
Tennessee is 14-9 away against Mississippi State in the official series record.
Are Tennessee and Mississippi State playing in 2026?
No. The 2026 regular-season schedules for both teams do not include a Tennessee-Mississippi State matchup. Their most recent meeting was September 27, 2025.
Conclusion
The Tennessee vs MS State football series has a clear historical leader, with Tennessee holding a 31-16-1 advantage after 49 meetings. The latest three matchups have also gone Tennessee’s way, including the 41-34 overtime victory in Starkville in 2025. However, the 2026 season tells a separate story: Tennessee entered October at 3-1, while Mississippi State was 4-0. Since the teams are not scheduled to meet during the 2026 regular season, their current statistics are best understood as separate snapshots rather than a new head-to-head comparison.
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