Mississippi State Falls to Vanderbilt 25-23

The loss extends Mississippi State's losing streak to five games and drops Jeff Lebby's record at the school to 11-23.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football

Mississippi State Falls to Vanderbilt 25-23

Live Poll

Should Mississippi State pay coach Jeff Lebby a $7.65 million buyout to leave?

Mississippi State lost to Vanderbilt 25-23 on November 7, 2026, its fifth straight defeat. The Bulldogs fall to 4-5 overall and 2-5 in SEC play, while Vanderbilt moves to 4-5 overall and 1-5 in conference games.

Why it matters

The losing streak has coincided with season-ending foot surgery for star quarterback Kamario Taylor, leaving the offense without its primary playmaker. The results also put pressure on head coach Jeff Lebby, whose tenure in Starkville now stands at 11-23 overall.

The final score was 25-23, with Mississippi State at 4-5 overall and 2-5 in SEC play compared with Vanderbilt at 4-5 and 1-5. Lebby's record at the school is 11-23, including 3-20 in SEC games, and it is not clear how Taylor's injury will affect the remaining schedule.

The players

Jeff Lebby

Jeff Lebby is the head football coach at Mississippi State, now in the third year of a five-year contract.

Kamario Taylor

Kamario Taylor is Mississippi State's starting quarterback whose season ended with foot surgery.

The details

Mississippi State began the season with an undefeated September before the losses piled up. The defeat to Vanderbilt came after star quarterback Kamario Taylor underwent season-ending foot surgery, a development that coincided with the five-game skid.

September 2026: Mississippi State went undefeated during the month.
November 7, 2026: Mississippi State lost to Vanderbilt 25-23.
December 1, 2026: Lebby's buyout would be about $7.65 million if the school fired him.

Season Trajectory

The five-game losing streak leaves Mississippi State at 4-5 overall and 2-5 in the SEC, with Lebby's career record at the school now 11-23 and 3-20 in conference play. Those results sharpen questions about the program's direction as the season moves toward its close.

Mississippi State's remaining games will determine whether the Bulldogs can reach bowl eligibility, and Taylor's absence will shape the offense for the rest of the season. Fantasy and betting projections for Mississippi State players should account for the quarterback's injury.

The takeaway

A five-game losing streak and a season-ending injury to the starting quarterback mark a difficult stretch for Mississippi State. Readers following the program should watch how the team adjusts its offense in the remaining games.