Since 2014, we have dropped to 3-6 against Mississippi State, including 1-4 in Starkville. 3 of those road losses were by 15+ points. Mississippi State beat us for the 2nd year in a row. We have lost 3 consecutive true SEC road games. Our last road win was a 35-14 rout of Missouri on 10/16/21, and our last road win over an SEC West opponent was a 31-20 win at Auburn on 12/5/20.
In contrast, Mississippi State snapped a 6-game home losing streak to SEC West opponents and beat an SEC West opponent for the first time since a 21-20 win over Ole Miss on 11/28/19. Also, it is the first ever such win for Mike Leach. Prior to this year, Mike Leach had 3 wins over SEC West teams: 44-34 win at LSU in 2020, 26-22 win at Texas A&M in 2021, and 43-34 win at Auburn in 2021, but he lost all 6 home games to divisional opponents.
It looks like the home/away trend is flipping for Mike Leach this year. I think Mississippi State will win their home games against Arkansas on Saturday and Auburn on 11/5. Their home game against Georgia on 11/12 and road games at Kentucky on 10/15, at Alabama on 10/22, and Ole Miss on 11/24 will be very tough. With that home/away schedule, Mississippi State will probably go 3-1 in home SEC games and 0-4 in away SEC games for a 7-5 (3-5 SEC) regular season finish.