Vanderbilt to Face Mississippi State Nov. 7
Vanderbilt visits Davis-Wade Stadium as both teams look to improve in SEC play, with former Commodores quarterback AJ Swann's health in question.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
Vanderbilt, 3-5 overall and 0-5 in the SEC, will play Mississippi State on Nov. 7, 2026, at Davis-Wade Stadium. Mississippi State is 4-4 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
Why it matters
The matchup pits a winless Vanderbilt SEC squad against a Mississippi State team still chasing bowl eligibility. Vanderbilt will start freshman quarterback Jared Curtis, while former Commodore AJ Swann's status for the Bulldogs is uncertain after an injury.
Curtis has completed 128 of 197 passes for 1,489 yards this season, with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, a total that ties for the SEC lead in interceptions. Swann threw for 1,495 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions in seven games at Appalachian State in 2025, while Swann's availability for the matchup remains unconfirmed.
The players
AJ Swann
Former Vanderbilt quarterback who transferred to LSU and then Appalachian State before joining Mississippi State, where his injury status is in question for the matchup against his former team.
Jared Curtis
Five-star freshman quarterback starting for Vanderbilt, who leads the SEC with eight interceptions this season while throwing for 1,489 yards.
Jeff Lebby
Mississippi State head football coach who commented on the status of quarterback AJ Swann's health ahead of the Nov. 7 game.
The details
Swann spent two seasons at Vanderbilt, transferred to LSU, and then played one season at Appalachian State before joining Mississippi State. He left a game against Texas with an injury, and Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby commented on his health on Nov. 2, 2026.
Timeline
2022: Swann's freshman season at Vanderbilt, with 1,274 passing yards.
2023: Swann appeared in six games and lost his starting job, finishing with 1,457 passing yards.
Nov. 2, 2026: Lebby commented on Swann's health ahead of the game.
Nov. 7, 2026: Vanderbilt plays Mississippi State at Davis-Wade Stadium.
Season Trajectory
Swann's transfer from Vanderbilt to LSU in 2023 and later to Appalachian State set up a return to the Commodores' conference as a Mississippi State player. For Vanderbilt, an 0-5 SEC start makes the Nov. 7 game a critical test of whether the young roster can avoid a winless conference season.
Fantasy managers tracking Swann should monitor his injury report before Nov. 7, since his availability will determine whether Mississippi State starts him over backup options. Curtis's eight interceptions give Vanderbilt a vulnerable passing game that rival defenses are likely to target.
The takeaway
Vanderbilt's winless SEC start puts pressure on the Nov. 7 game, and Swann's health will shape the matchup for Mississippi State.
What happens next
Vanderbilt and Mississippi State meet at Davis-Wade Stadium on Nov. 7, 2026.
Further reading
Follow more Starkville Football coverage for context on Mississippi State's season.
