Mississippi State hosts No. 6 Ole Miss for its final home game of the 2025 season, with both Egg Bowl bragging rights and bowl eligibility on the line for the 5-6 Bulldogs.
To preview the matchup and gather an understanding of MSU’s opponent, The Dispatch exchanged questions with Michael Katz, a beat writer covering Ole Miss for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
The Dispatch: Let’s just get this part out of the way: How much has the Lane Kiffin situation been a distraction? Do you feel the team has been able to handle it?
Michael Katz: Everyone on the team will tell you it isn’t a big deal, but it’s hard to see a world where it isn’t taking a toll on all parties involved. This is a 10-1 squad on the verge of making a legitimate run at a national title, and no one is talking about the team itself. I think this is a pretty mature team that understands what comes with the territory of playing under Kiffin. More than anything, I believe this group is focused on getting to 11-1 regardless of what happens in the Kiffin Saga. If they lose this game, however, it will be hard not to point at the drama that’s unfolded.
Dispatch: Ole Miss is known for its offense, but how has the defense come along this season, and how do you see it matching up with MSU?
Katz: The defense got off to a rough start in two main departments — pass rush and run defense. The run defense has gotten exponentially better to a point where it’s basically middle of the pack now, a much better spot than it was in through the first four games. The Rebels led the nation in sacks per game last year (four) but had just five through the first five games. They’ve racked up 17 over the last six, however, and Princewill Umanmielen has been a big part of that. He has 4.5 of his 5.5 sacks in that span.
Ole Miss is susceptible to deep passes, as South Carolina and Florida were each able to get 40-plus yard completions. If Blake Shapen has time to throw, I think there’s a chance he can find guys deep down the field.
Dispatch: Is there an Ole Miss player you feel is under the radar who MSU fans need to know about before Saturday?
Katz: Defensive linemen Will Echoles and Kam Franklin have really come on of late. It took them a bit to find their grooves replacing the stars the Rebels had up front last year, but over the last six games the duo has a combined 8.5 tackles for loss. When Ole Miss’ defensive line can control the game, good things happen for the Rebels. I think those two need to be at their best to help control Mississippi State’s run game as well as help create a push in the pass rush.
Dispatch: What if anything do you see as the weakness for this Rebels team?
Katz: While the numbers are still pretty solid — 183 passing yards per game allowed is 23rd nationally — the Rebels’ pass defense was leaky in the aforementioned games against South Carolina and Florida. Big plays are the biggest reason I could see Mississippi State pulling this off. If Ole Miss can limit deep passing plays, then things should be pretty straight forward for them.
Dispatch: What has to happen for Ole Miss to lose this game?
Katz: Well the obvious would be a lack of focus or disinterest because of the Kiffin situation. On paper, the Rebels clearly have an advantage. But in the Egg Bowl, it seems like historically it hasn’t mattered who *looked* better coming in. Weird things happen. A downtrodden Ole Miss team — or a confused one for that matter — isn’t going to be able to play its best, you would think.
As far as Xs and Os are concerned, lapses in coverage could cause bad things to unfold. Ole Miss also needs to stick to what it’s done all year: run Kewan Lacy and Trinidad Chambliss. Mississippi State’s run defense is one of the worst in the FBS. This isn’t the time to go away from what’s gotten them here.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 39 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
