Mississippi State wasn’t all that far from cracking the top 25 in the preseason Associated Press poll Monday.
But for now, the Bulldogs will have to play their way in.
MSU received 15 voting points in the poll, good for 10th best among teams outside the top 25.
Voters appear to see the Bulldogs making a leap in their third season under coach Mike Leach. Mississippi State had several ranked wins last year but finished the regular season 7-5 before falling to Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl.
The Bulldogs were 11th among teams receiving votes in last week’s USA TODAY coaches poll.
Six Southeastern Conference teams were ranked in the AP Top 25, beginning with No. 1 Alabama. Defending champion Georgia was third, Texas A&M was sixth, Arkansas was No. 19, Kentucky was No. 20, and Ole Miss was No. 21.
Mississippi State will play all six teams this season, including road matchups with Alabama, Kentucky and Ole Miss. Georgia, Texas A&M and Arkansas all visit Starkville.
Mississippi State opens its season at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 against Memphis at Davis Wade Stadium.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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