Auburn–Mississippi State football rivalry
American college football rivalry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Auburn–Mississippi State football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University and the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team of Mississippi State University which was first played in 1905.[1]
Auburn, 18–0
Auburn, 27–13
| First meeting | October 27, 1905 Auburn, 18–0 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | October 28, 2023 Auburn, 27–13 |
| Next meeting | November 14, 2026 |
| Statistics | |
| Total meetings | 97 |
All-time series | Auburn leads, 66–28–2 |
Largest victory | Auburn, 56–0 (1970) |
Longest win streak | Auburn, 16 (1964–1979) |
Current win streak | Auburn, 1 (2023–present) |
History
The series between the bordering-state schools dates back to 1905 and has been played 97 times.[2][3][4] Both universities are founding members of the Southeastern Conference.[5][6][7][8] Auburn is Mississippi State's fourth most-played opponent in its history while Mississippi State is Auburn's second behind only Georgia.[9] When the Southeastern Conference split into two geographical divisions in 1992,[10][11] both schools were placed in the western division, thereby ensuring an annual meeting on the football field.[12][13] With the SEC ending the divisional format after the 2023 season, Auburn and Mississippi State were not selected to play each other in 2024 while the conference decides on a new scheduling format for 2025 and beyond.[14][15] 2024 was the first season the Tigers and Bulldogs didn't play since 1954.[16][17][18] The rivalry has been very competitive in recent years, with the series record on the field split 6–6 since 2012.[19] Auburn leads the all-time series 63–31–3 on the field, but due to NCAA sanctions levied against Mississippi State in the 1970s and in 2018, the official series record currently stands at 66–28–2.[20][21]
Notable games
1974: Cowbells
During the 1974 season, the two teams met on November 9, in Jackson, Mississippi. During the game, there were three fights, and several offensive mistakes by Auburn. Coach Shug Jordan blamed the cowbells that were used by Mississippi State fans for much of the errors. Auburn narrowly won the game, 24–20.[22] Jordan's complaint led to the Southeastern Conference to ban artificial noisemakers the following year.[23]
1993: Helium
Auburn defeated Mississippi State 31–17 on October 9. Mississippi State's head coach, Jackie Sherrill, accused Terry Daniel, Auburn's punter, of filling the ball with helium.[24] The rumor was disproved the following week.[25]
Game Results
| Auburn victories | Mississippi State victories | Tie games | Forfeits / Vacated |
| No. | Date | Location | Winning team | Losing team | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 27, 1905 | Columbus, MS | Auburn | 18 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 2 | October 8, 1910 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 6 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 3 | October 28, 1911 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 11 | Mississippi State | 5 | ||
| 4 | October 26, 1912 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 7 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 5 | October 25, 1913 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 34 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 6 | October 24, 1914 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 19 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 7 | October 23, 1915 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 26 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 8 | October 28, 1916 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 7 | Mississippi State | 3 | ||
| 9 | October 27, 1917 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 13 | Mississippi State | 6 | ||
| 10 | November 15, 1919 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 7 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 11 | November 12, 1927 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 7 | Auburn | 6 | ||
| 12 | November 17, 1928 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 13 | Auburn | 0 | ||
| 13 | November 15, 1930 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 7 | Auburn | 6 | ||
| 14 | October 16, 1937 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 33 | Mississippi State | 7 | ||
| 15 | October 14, 1938 | Montgomery, AL | Auburn | 20 | Mississippi State | 6 | ||
| 16 | October 14, 1939 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 7 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 17 | October 12, 1940 | Birmingham, AL | Tie | 7 | Tie | 7 | ||
| 18 | November 8, 1941 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 14 | Auburn | 7 | ||
| 19 | October 31, 1942 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 6 | Auburn | 0 | ||
| 20 | November 11, 1944 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 26 | Auburn | 21 | ||
| 21 | October 6, 1945 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 20 | Auburn | 0 | ||
| 22 | November 9, 1946 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 33 | Auburn | 0 | ||
| 23 | November 8, 1947 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 14 | Auburn | 0 | ||
| 24 | November 6, 1948 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 20 | Auburn | 0 | ||
| 25 | November 5, 1949 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 25 | Mississippi State | 6 | ||
| 26 | November 4, 1950 | Starkville, MS | Mississippi State | 27 | Auburn | 0 | ||
| 27 | November 8, 1952 | Auburn, AL | Mississippi State | 49 | Auburn | 34 | ||
| 28 | October 10, 1953 | Starkville, MS | Tie | 21 | Tie | 21 | ||
| 29 | November 5, 1955 | Auburn, AL | #14 Auburn | 27 | #20 Mississippi State | 26 | ||
| 30 | November 10, 1956 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 27 | Mississippi State | 20 | ||
| 31 | November 9, 1957 | Birmingham, AL | #3 Auburn | 15 | Mississippi State | 7 | ||
| 32 | November 8, 1958 | Auburn, AL | #5 Auburn | 33 | Mississippi State | 14 | ||
| 33 | November 7, 1959 | Birmingham, AL | #8 Auburn | 31 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 34 | November 5, 1960 | Auburn, AL | #12 Auburn | 27 | Mississippi State | 12 | ||
| 35 | November 11, 1961 | Birmingham, AL | Mississippi State | 11 | Auburn | 10 | ||
| 36 | November 10, 1962 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 9 | Mississippi State | 3 | ||
| 37 | November 9, 1963 | Jackson, MS | Mississippi State | 13 | #5 Auburn | 10 | ||
| 38 | November 7, 1964 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 12 | Mississippi State | 3 | ||
| 39 | November 6, 1965 | Birmingham, AL | Auburn | 25 | Mississippi State | 18 | ||
| 40 | November 5, 1966 | Jackson, MS | Auburn | 13 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 41 | November 11, 1967 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 36 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 42 | September 9, 1968 | Jackson, MS | Auburn | 26 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 43 | November 8, 1969 | Auburn, AL | #11 Auburn | 52 | Mississippi State | 13 | ||
| 44 | November 7, 1970 | Birmingham, AL | #10 Auburn | 56 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 45 | November 6, 1971 | Auburn, AL | #5 Auburn | 30 | Mississippi State | 21 | ||
| 46 | September 9, 1972 | Jackson, MS | Auburn | 14 | Mississippi State | 3 | ||
| 47 | November 10, 1973 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 31 | Mississippi State | 17 | ||
| 48 | November 9, 1974 | Jackson, MS | #10 Auburn | 24 | Mississippi State | 20 | ||
| 49 | November 8, 1975 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 21 | Mississippi State† | 21 | ||
| 50 | November 6, 1976 | Jackson, MS | Mississippi State† | 28 | Auburn | 19 | ||
| 51 | November 5, 1977 | Auburn, AL | Mississippi State† | 27 | Auburn | 13 | ||
| 52 | November 11, 1978 | Starkville, MS | Auburn | 6 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 53 | November 10, 1979 | Auburn, AL | #16 Auburn | 14 | Mississippi State | 3 | ||
| 54 | October 25, 1980 | Jackson, MS | Mississippi State | 24 | Auburn | 21 | ||
| 55 | October 24, 1981 | Auburn, AL | #9 Mississippi State | 21 | Auburn | 17 | ||
| 56 | October 23, 1982 | Starkville, MS | Auburn | 35 | Mississippi State | 17 | ||
| 57 | October 22, 1983 | Auburn, AL | #5 Auburn | 28 | Mississippi State | 13 | ||
| 58 | October 27, 1984 | Starkville, MS | #12 Auburn | 24 | Mississippi State | 21 | ||
| 59 | October 26, 1985 | Auburn, AL | #6 Auburn | 21 | Mississippi State | 9 | ||
| 60 | October 25, 1986 | Starkville, MS | #7 Auburn | 35 | #13 Mississippi State | 6 | ||
| 61 | October 24, 1987 | Auburn, AL | #6 Auburn | 38 | Mississippi State | 7 | ||
| 62 | October 22, 1988 | Auburn, AL | #10 Auburn | 33 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 63 | October 28, 1989 | Auburn, AL | #16 Auburn | 14 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 64 | October 27, 1990 | Starkville, MS | #2 Auburn | 17 | Mississippi State | 16 | ||
| 65 | October 26, 1991 | Auburn, AL | Mississippi State | 24 | Auburn | 17 | ||
| 66 | October 10, 1992 | Starkville, MS | #18 Mississippi State | 14 | Auburn | 7 | ||
| 67 | October 9, 1993 | Auburn, AL | #22 Auburn | 31 | Mississippi State | 17 | ||
| 68 | October 8, 1994 | Starkville, MS | #9 Auburn | 42 | Mississippi State | 18 | ||
| 69 | October 7, 1995 | Auburn, AL | #11 Auburn | 48 | Mississippi State | 20 | ||
| 70 | October 12, 1996 | Starkville, MS | #18 Auburn | 49 | Mississippi State | 15 | ||
| 71 | November 1, 1997 | Auburn, AL | Mississippi State | 20 | #11 Auburn | 0 | ||
| 72 | October 10, 1998 | Starkville, MS | Mississippi State | 38 | Auburn | 21 | ||
| 73 | October 9, 1999 | Auburn, AL | #14 Mississippi State | 18 | Auburn | 16 | ||
| 74 | October 7, 2000 | Starkville, MS | #20 Mississippi State | 17 | #15 Auburn | 10 | ||
| 75 | October 6, 2001 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 16 | Mississippi State | 14 | ||
| 76 | September 19, 2002 | Starkville, MS | Auburn | 42 | Mississippi State | 14 | ||
| 77 | October 18, 2003 | Auburn, AL | #19 Auburn | 45 | Mississippi State | 13 | ||
| 78 | September 11, 2004 | Starkville, MS | #18 Auburn | 43 | Mississippi State | 14 | ||
| 79 | September 10, 2005 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 28 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 80 | September 9, 2006 | Starkville, MS | #4 Auburn | 34 | Mississippi State | 0 | ||
| 81 | September 15, 2007 | Auburn, AL | Mississippi State | 19 | Auburn | 14 | ||
| 82 | September 14, 2008 | Starkville, MS | #9 Auburn | 3 | Mississippi State | 2 | ||
| 83 | September 12, 2009 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 49 | Mississippi State | 24 | ||
| 84 | September 9, 2010 | Starkville, MS | #21 Auburn | 17 | Mississippi State | 14 | ||
| 85 | September 10, 2011 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 41 | #16 Mississippi State | 34 | ||
| 86 | September 8, 2012 | Starkville, MS | Mississippi State | 28 | Auburn | 10 | ||
| 87 | September 14, 2013 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 24 | Mississippi State | 20 | ||
| 88 | October 11, 2014 | Starkville, MS | #3 Mississippi State | 38 | #2 Auburn | 23 | ||
| 89 | September 26, 2015 | Auburn, AL | Mississippi State | 17 | Auburn | 9 | ||
| 90 | October 8, 2016 | Starkville, MS | Auburn | 38 | Mississippi State | 14 | ||
| 91 | September 30, 2017 | Auburn, AL | #13 Auburn | 49 | #24 Mississippi State | 10 | ||
| 92 | October 6, 2018 | Starkville, MS | Mississippi State‡ | 23 | #8 Auburn | 9 | ||
| 93 | September 28, 2019 | Auburn, AL | #7 Auburn | 56 | Mississippi State | 23 | ||
| 94 | December 12, 2020 | Starkville, MS | Auburn | 24 | Mississippi State | 10 | ||
| 95 | November 13, 2021 | Auburn, AL | Mississippi State | 43 | #17 Auburn | 34 | ||
| 96 | November 5, 2022 | Starkville, MS | Mississippi State | 39 | Auburn | 33OT | ||
| 97 | October 28, 2023 | Auburn, AL | Auburn | 27 | Mississippi State | 13 | ||
| Series: Auburn leads 66–28–2 | ||||||||
| † Mississippi State forfeited as part of NCAA penalties[26] ‡ Mississippi State vacated as part of NCAA sanctions.[27] | ||||||||
Locations
| State | City | Games | Auburn victories | Mississippi State victories | Ties | Years played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Auburn | 39 | 31 | 8 | 0 | 1910, 1949–present |
| Birmingham | 26 | 14 | 11 | 1 | 1911–1937, 1939–1948, 1957–1961, 1965, 1970 | |
| Montgomery | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1938 | |
| Mississippi | Columbus | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1905 |
| Jackson | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1963, 1966, 1968, 1972–1976, 1980 | |
| Starkville | 23 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 1950, 1953, 1978, 1982–present |