Mississippi State football 2022 schedule: Ranking all 12 opponents

STARKVILLE – A juggernaut of a schedule awaits Mississippi State soccer in a season the place returning manufacturing creates elevated expectations for coach Mike Leach.

The Bulldogs are No. 12 in ESPN’s SP+ rankings, which think about current historical past and recruiting together with returning manufacturing. However ESPN’s faculty soccer energy index provides Mississippi State the second-toughest schedule.

MSU’s 2022 slate is the hardest based on 247Sports.

State will face its common SEC West foes, together with title favourite Alabama. Within the convention crossover recreation, MSU is caught with defending champion Georgia and a visit to Kentucky.

From best to hardest, right here’s a have a look at Mississippi State’s 2022 opponents.

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12. East Tennessee State — Nov. 19

Mississippi State is going through its FCS foe earlier than the Egg Bowl as soon as once more. It proved to be a wise transfer final season as MSU beat  Tennessee State 55-10.

East Tennessee State is an enchancment, although. The Buccaneers went 11-2 with a win at Vanderbilt final season.  

11. at Arizona — Sept. 10

It’s uncommon to place a Energy 5 crew under an FCS faculty, however Arizona may have simply ranked as a neater foe than ETSU.

The Wildcats have crushed one Energy 5 opponent the earlier two seasons – a 10-3 win in opposition to Cal final season.

10. Bowling Inexperienced — Sept. 24

Once more, it’s a simple nonconference slate for Mississippi State. Bowling Inexperienced went 4-8 final season however did have a formidable win at Minnesota.

9. Memphis — Sept. 3

Mississippi State gained’t let Memphis sneak up within the season opener. It took a miraculous comeback for MSU to defeat Louisiana Tech in its opener final season earlier than dropping at Memphis a pair weeks later.

Opening the season with an evening recreation will create an electrical environment at Davis Wade Stadium.

8. Auburn — Nov. 5

Auburn was thought to be a top-15 crew in some way-too-early preseason rankings. These proved to be method too early.

The offseason has been a dumpster hearth from dropping key items within the switch portal to the drama surrounding coach Bryan Harsin. The season may very well be even worse.

7. Arkansas — Oct. 8

The strain shall be on Mississippi State’s kickers, however somewhat extra in opposition to Arkansas. It was in opposition to the Razorbacks when the Bulldogs missed three subject objectives final season and compelled Leach to name for open tryouts.

Arkansas is predicted to take a step again. In a division loaded on the high, MSU can not afford a third-straight loss in opposition to Arkansas.

6. at Kentucky — Oct. 15

It appears Kentucky is as soon as once more flying underneath the radar. The Wildcats may very well be near a 10-win crew and shall be looking for vengeance after dropping in Starkville final season.

October is brutal for the Bulldogs. A highway recreation in opposition to Kentucky rating because the sixth-toughest recreation is a testomony to the schedule’s issue. 

5. Texas A&M — Oct. 1

There shall be a crowd anticipating Mississippi State to take this recreation after successful at A&M final season. It’s robust to imagine that in opposition to a top-five opponent.

Texas A&M, behind its highly effective recruiting, is again among the many nation’s elite within the preseason polls. The excellent news for MSU is it faces A&M the week earlier than the Aggies journey to Alabama.

4. at Ole Miss — Nov. 24

Will Leach be celebrating his first Egg Bowl win or will he be struggling his third consecutive loss within the rivalry?

No matter how State’s season goes, the strain shall be on to take down Lane Kiffin. Enjoying in Oxford gained’t make life any simpler, which is why this recreation ranks more durable than going through Texas A&M.

3. at LSU — Sept. 17

An evening recreation in Demise Valley for Brian Kelly’s first SEC matchup? Good luck.

2. Georgia — Nov. 12

Any rust Georgia might have on account of roster turnover from its nationwide championship run must be passed by mid-November.

Nevertheless, MSU did make issues fascinating in Athens two seasons in the past regardless of a depleted roster. Leach has a knack for pulling off a serious upset annually.

1. at Alabama — Oct. 22

Alabama is a heavy favourite to win the SEC. The Crimson Tide stomped the Bulldogs final season in Starkville and the identical is predicted to occur in Tuscaloosa.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat author for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or observe him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.