Post-Spring Look at Mississippi State Ahead of Potentially Tricky Oklahoma Road Trip

Earlier this year, Sooners On SI broke down Oklahoma's opponents in 2026. With spring football in the rearview window, how do the Sooners' foes look heading into the summer following their March/April practices? We continue with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Oklahoma has never played Mississippi State, nor have they travelled to Starkville unless they stopped along the way to Tuscaloosa.

This season’s matchup features Sooners head coach Brent Venables squaring off against his first offensive coordinator, Jeff Lebby, now leading the Bulldogs. The familiarity should make for an interesting game in one of the SEC's more interesting road environments.

Based on reputation, Starkville appears to be the SEC's answer to the Big 12's Lubbock — weird things can happen. Just last season, OU's chief rival needed late-game heroics to secure a win at Davis Wade Stadium.

Now that Mississippi State has wrapped up their spring practices, does Oklahoma's midseason meetup with the Bulldogs appear more difficult?

The Injury Front

Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State Bulldog — Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) scrambles in the pocket pressured by Wake Forest Demon Deacons lineman Jayden Loving (8) and defensive lineman Nuer Gatkuoth (7) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Mississippi State's main injury came prior to the turn of the calendar.

Starting quarterback Kamario Taylor, who started the final two games of 2025 — including a loss in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl — suffered an ankle injury and was carted off the field during the game. He had a procedure done shortly after and was able to be a full participant in the spring.

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Former Sooner Zion Ragins dealt with nagging injuries that kept him out of early spring. He was able to return to full health and catch a touchdown pass in MSU's spring game.

Starting center Blake Steen only started one game last year before losing his season to a shoulder injury. Lebby shared that one of this spring's focus was acclimating him slowly to prepare him for summer and fall camp.

Bulldog Strength

Zion Ragins, Oklahoma Sooner — Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Zion Ragins (81) leaps past Navy Midshipmen linebacker Mbiti Williams Jr. (7) during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As with any Lebby team, the Bulldogs will employ an up-tempo, fast-paced offense designed to catch defenses flat-footed.

If Taylor is able to return to full health, he has the athleticism to give opponents fits. Last year, Taylor racked up 629 yards and five touchdowns through the air while adding 458 rushing yards and eight scores. He was used in packages throughout the season before starting the final two games.

Post-Spring Oklahoma Opponent Breakdowns

Ask Lebby and he'll hope that the trenches are where the Bulldogs find their strength. With only two returning starters on the offensive line, position coach and former Sooner Phil Loadholt will have to rely on physical practices in spring and fall camp to build depth.

Starting back Fluff Bothwell ran for 677 yards on 142 carries in a reserve role last season. If the offensive line is improved, Bothwell has some big play ability in his game with over 1,500 rushing yards to his name going back to his year at South Alabama.

Final Verdict

Jeff Lebby, Mississippi Stat — Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby during the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Bank of America Stadium. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Sooners travel to Starkville sandwhiched between home dates with Kentucky and South Carolina.

With respect to the SEC, and considering Oklahoma's first six weeks, the three-week stretch of the Wildcats, Bulldogs and Gamecocks appears to be the more forgiving part of their schedule.

That's not to say a hypothetical undefeated or one-loss OU team couldn't lose straight up on the road to Lebby's squad.

Last season, MSU knocked off reigning Big 12 champion Arizona State in Starkville, while Texas needed overtime to escape with a win. That same Arizona squad that beat Oklahoma in the 2023 Alamo Bowl fell on the road to a 5–7 Bulldogs team earlier that season.

Regardless of OU's record heading to Mississippi, they'll need to be on their best behavior to avoid being a signature victory for Lebby's Bulldogs.

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