Mississippi
2024 EA Sports College Football 25 Season Simulation: Mississippi State Bulldogs
Predictions season is in full force as the entire country prepares to ramp up the excitement in anticipation of the 2024 college football season.
As many experts throw their hats into the ring for a preseason pick, many forget that a great simulation tool is now, after more than a decade, back at the fingertips of fans everywhere. With just the click of a few buttons, a week-by-week simulation of the 2024 football season can be viewed in incredibly depth. For Mississippi State, that means a couple surprising results.
Mississippi State – 35, FCS Midwest – 10
EA has Mississippi State handling its business in week one against the in-game counterpart of Eastern Kentucky University on August 31 of this year. First year transfer quarterback and redshirt senior Blake Shapen tossed for four touchdowns in the simulation and totalled 259 yards through the air on the day.
Davon Booth led all rushers with 60 yards on the ground on 17 carries and found the end zone once for the team’s fith touchdown of the game. Kevin Coleman torched the FCS Midwest defense for six receptions and 82 yards on his way to two touchdown grabs. You can’t win them all if you don’t win the first one, and Mississippi State did just that in this sim.
Mississippi State – 34, Arizona State – 17
MSU was able to double up the Sun Devils on the road after a 24 point fourth quarter. Shapen turned around a poor performance in the first half in which he threw two interceptions and threw three scores to elevate Mississippi State on the road.
Nick Barr-Mira made a pair of field goals to further elevate the Mississippi State offense after Davon Booth was shut down for just 33 yards on the day while managing to find the end zone once. Mississippi State entered week three with a 2-0 record and some adversity under its belt.
Mississippi State – 42, Toledo – 14
For the first time in the simulation, the Mississippi State offense really flexed its muscles against Toledo. Shapen lit up the box score with 401 yards through the air and five scores while also completing 26/31 passes.
Booth found the end zone once again on his way to a 54 yard performance on 16 carries while Kelly Akharaiyi had a breakout game with 176 yards through the air and a pair of touchdown receptions. Coleman shined again as the secondary target with a pair of touchdown receptions as well.
Stone Blanton lit up any ball carrier in sight, forcing one fumble and recovering two to give Mississippi State a commanding edge in time of possession. As far as the simulation was concerned, the Bulldogs were rolling into week four.
Mississippi State – 18, Florida – 34
This is where things began to turn south for MSU in the simulation. Shapen only completed just over half of his 35 passing attempts for 239 yards, two scores and one pick. Booth had success in the game and averaged 4.7 yards per carry, but because MSU found itself down early, only got 10 touches on the ground.
Despite a 15 point fourth quarter, MSU couldn’t dig itself out of the hole it was found in early after going down 24-3 at the end of the third quarter. Thus, MSU suffered the first loss of the season and went into week five 3-1.
Mississippi State – 14, Texas – 24
Most Bulldog fans would probably happy if this was the score of this year’s scheduled game against Texas in real life, to be fair. For one reason or another, Arch Manning drew the start against Mississippi State and did enough to win as he tossed the Longhorns’ only three touchdowns on the day.
CJ Baxter gave Mississippi State enough trouble on the ground to control the pace of play with 90 yards rushing on 15 carries. Coming away from Austin unscathed was highly unlikely to begin with, but MSU managed to keep it close.
Mississippi State – 35, Georgia – 34
Your eyes do not deceive you. In this simulation, Mississippi State shocks the College Football world and bests Georgia by one point in Athens.
MSU lived in the Georgia backfield and sacked Carson Beck a total of four times while holding Trevor Etienne to just 33 yards rushing in the game. Blake Shapen put on a masterful performance with over 350 yards through the air en route to three touchdown tosses and zero interceptions.
Kevin Coleman torched UGA for 167 receiving yards and a pair of scores. He also had 107 yards after the catch, showing off breakaway speed at the top of Mississippi State’s receiving charts. With this win, the Lebby tenure pulls off one of the biggest upsets in program history in his first year at the helm.
Mississippi State – 36, Texas A&M – 35
The Bulldogs hang on by a thread yet again against Texas A&M just a week after beating Georgia by the same minute differential. Shapen’s consistent and mistake-free play yet again guided MSU to victory in the simulation as he tossed three scores and zero picks.
The rushing attack was bottled up for Mississippi State with only 33 total yards on the day, but a pair of red zone scores was all it took to lift the Bulldogs to another narrow victory. Now at 5-2 with a pair of marquee wins, Mississippi State controlled its own destiny in the expanded playoff format.
Mississippi State 17, Arkansas 34
“The epitome of brutality” – Jon Rothstein. Yes, it’s a basketball reference, but it perfectly sums up Mississippi State’s week nine loss to Arkansas in the simulation.
Taylen Green lit up Mississippi State for 308 yards through the air and anther 27 on the ground for a pair of scores, but it was senior running back Ja’Quinden Jackson that did the most damage to the Bulldogs with 110 rush yards and another pair of touchdowns. Mississippi State’s dream season is suddenly given a reality check, and the Bulldogs fall to 5-3.
Mississippi State – 21, UMass – 34
When it rains, it pours. Mississippi State had already won enough games to make it to a bowl if it just took care of business outside of the conference, but alas, UMass had other plans.
Despite Akharaiyi and Coleman both having more than 100 receiving yards on the day, the MSU offense falls short, and the defense didn’t help itself out, either. De’Monte Russell had the Bulldogs’ lone sack on the day. Woof.
Mississippi State – 14, Tennessee – 31
The downhill slide only gets worse in week 11. Mississippi State can only muster two scores in the loss to the Vols, while Tennessee put up points in all four quarters.
A trio of rushing touchdowns by Dylan Sampson, Nico Iamaleava and Cameron Seldon sealled the deal for Tennessee and secures their spot as the nation’s fifth best team at Mississippi State’s peril in the simulation. At 5-5, the outlook is bleak for MSU’s bowl chances.
Mississippi State – 14, Missouri – 38
The simulation is high on Missouri in 2024, and rightfully so for a team that is returning a metric ton of production. However fans view them at the No. 1 spot, they beat the simulated Mississippi State team down like they deserved the spot.
Brady Cook left the game early for the Tigers, but the two headed dragon of Marcus Carroll and Nate Noel were too much out of the backfield for Mississippi State as they combined for three scores on the ground.
The Tigers bottled up Shapen and the MSU passing attack, only allowing 158 yards through the air. Mississippi State’s bowl hopes relied solely on the Egg Bowl now.
Mississippi State 14, Ole Miss 26
The odds weren’t great for Mississippi State as they hit the road for the short drive to Oxford, but they were almost shut out in the game save for a 14 point fourth quarter.
Again, Shapen and company were locked up for just 261 yards through the air and a single score, while the MSU rushing attack was almost nonexistent. MSU’s Egg Bowl loss marked the second straight season that the Bulldogs would not make any postseason trip.
Mississippi State ended the simulated season at 5-7 (2-6) and 14th in the SEC – not terribly far from where many experts have the Bulldogs picked. Despite two marquee wins against top 25 teams, it was the devil in the details that held Mississippi State back from six wins in Jeff Lebby’s first season.
Private high schools in Mississippi are receiving an enrollment multiplier for their respective sports teams.
The MHSAA announced on June 2 that it will apply a 1.5 multiplier to private schools enrollment for grades 9-11. The multiplier will go into effect during the 2027-28 sports season, when the MHSAA implements its new reclassification.
The MHSAA board voted on the motion, which passed.
“There’s always been a question of why our state does not have a multiplier from private schools that are in our association,” MHSAA Executive Director Rickey Neaves said in a statement. “So beginning with the next reclassification year, there will be a 1.5 multiplier added to all private schools that are currently in our organization. And to any of those that may be wanting to join our association.”
The change will affect private schools in all classes and will not affect schools for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Private schools around the state currently fluctuate through classes 1A-3A.
“We’re the only state in our section that does not have a multiplier of some kind,” Neaves said. “This was done because private schools, it is perceived, can control what classification they’re in by limiting the number of people that attend there. Also for the competitive and fair play advantage.”
Presbyterian Christian is the most recent private school to switch from MAIS to MHSAA, after making its MHSAA debut in 2025. The Bobcats recently won the MHSAA Class 3A baseball title.
In other sports during the 2025-26 year, Our Lady Academy won a Class 3A volleyball title and has the most MHSAA volleyball championships with 18. St. Stanislaus claimed a 3A boys basketball championship and St. Patrick won the Class I boys and girls soccer titles. Presbyterian Christian also won the 3A boys and girls tennis titles, while Sacred Heart won in Class I.
There are currently 10 private schools in the association.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X @MikeSChavez or Facebook at Michael Chavez.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 2 drawing
05-14-16-33-35
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 3-3-8, FB: 5
Evening: 6-9-5, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 6-0-4-9, FB: 5
Evening: 2-8-1-0, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 08
Evening: 03
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Mississippi governor signs Jackson MS water authority bill into law
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signed the bill into law on April 8, 2026.
Jackson Mayor John Horhn claimed victory in the city’s legal fight against Mississippi’s new Metro Jackson Water Authority, arguing a federal judge’s latest ruling validates Jackson’s concerns about state lawmakers trying to influence the future of the city’s water system.
During a press conference at City Hall Tuesday, June 2, Horhn pointed to U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate’s decision to block the authority from naming a president, entering lease agreements or taking other substantive actions while Jackson’s water and sewer systems remain under federal oversight.
“What we’re thankful of is that the judge seems to agree with us,” Horhn said. “House Bill 1677 appeared to try to subvert the authority of the federal court.”
The comments come one day after Wingate issued a split ruling on the controversial law. While the judge declined to block House Bill 1677 outright, he also barred the Metro Jackson Water Authority from taking operational action beyond seating board members while the federal court continues overseeing Jackson’s water and sewer systems.
But Wingate’s ruling did not strike down House Bill 1677. It was more of a split ruling.
The judge agreed with arguments made by the state, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and JXN Water that the law itself does not automatically transfer control of Jackson’s water and sewer systems because any future takeover remains subject to federal court approval.
That leaves open a question: If the law remains on the books, could the Metro Jackson Water Authority simply remain in place until federal oversight ends and then assume control of the systems?
Horhn was asked that question directly Tuesday.
In response, Horhn focused on portions of the ruling that prevent the authority from naming a president who would serve as a deputy to JXN Water leader and Interim Third-Party Manager Ted Henifin. Horhn also pointed to Wingate blocking movement on any lease agreements until the court decides how the eventual transition away from federal oversight should occur.
“Two major points of the judge’s ruling are that he enjoined the state and the authority if it does start taking action from being able to name a president who would become the second in command of JXN Water,” Horhn said. “The other thing is that he enjoined any action on a lease being entered into until such time as he has had a chance to deliberate and decide what the future path ought to be.”
Horhn’s answer suggested he believes the ruling leaves room for other options besides simply allowing House Bill 1677 to take effect once federal oversight ends.
“What the judge has said to us for a number of months is that he wants to see a transition plan,” Horhn said.
The mayor said city officials have already begun discussions with JXN Water about what that transition plan could look like.
“We have begun discussions with JXN Water to have meaningful conversations with them about putting such a transition plan forward,” Horhn said. “At this point, the actions of the city are focused on working with Jackson Water to try to come up with a transition plan that might be approved by the judge.”
Under existing court orders, JXN Water is expected to develop a formal transition plan that must ultimately be approved by Wingate.
When asked whether the city could pursue its own water authority rather than the state-created Metro Jackson Water Authority, Horhn pointed to existing Mississippi law allowing municipalities to create utility districts.
“For a number of years, there has been state statutory authority for municipalities to establish municipal utility districts,” Horhn said. “We have made that presentation before the judge, and as I understand it, he’s taking it under advisory.”
Horhn did not elaborate on whether the city is actively pursuing that option, but the comments suggest Jackson may continue advocating for alternatives to House Bill 1677 as discussions about a post-receivership transition continue.
Additionally, Horhn reiterated his long-standing position that Jackson should maintain majority control over any future governing body overseeing the city’s water and wastewater systems.
“We don’t mind participation and involvement by the state of Mississippi,” Horhn said. “But any future governance of the City of Jackson’s water and wastewater system must have the City of Jackson having the majority of control.”
Horhn said Jackson’s position has never been that the state should be excluded entirely.
“What I have said is that we don’t mind participation and involvement by the state of Mississippi,” Horhn said. “But any future governance of the City of Jackson’s water and wastewater system must have the City of Jackson having the majority of control on any future boards or authorities that would be created.”
Horhn said Jackson opposed House Bill 1677 because it would have allowed state and suburban appointees to outnumber city representatives on the authority’s governing board.
“We don’t mind if you want to have some involvement, but not control,” Horhn said.
The mayor also argued the legislation ignored concerns repeatedly raised by Jackson officials during the legislative process.
“House Bill 1677 was a classic example of the state not listening to the local interests of the City of Jackson,” Horhn said.
Overall, Wingate’s 22-page order on Monday, June 1, was something of a split decision. Jackson persuaded Wingate to freeze many of the authority’s powers, but the state successfully defended the law itself from being blocked outright. The larger question of who will ultimately control Jackson’s water system remains unresolved. For now, Wingate remains in the driver’s seat.
“The parties should all accept that this state statute cannot force this court’s hand, nor dictate the calendar of this litigation,” Wingate wrote.
Charlie Drape, the Jackson beat reporter, has covered the Jackson water crisis from its collapse in 2022 through the system’s ongoing recovery, including independent testing and other accountability reporting. You can contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.
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