Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State live updates: Egg Bowl takes center stage as Lane Kiffin drama lingers

Live updates, highlights and analysis for what could be Lane Kiffin's final game as coach of the Rebels

No. 7 Ole Miss and Mississippi State are set to meet Friday afternoon in the 122nd edition of the Egg Bowl, one of college football's most underrated -- and wild -- rivalry showdowns. There's a lot on the line for each of the in-state rivals as they end their respective regular seasons. 

The Rebels are pushing for their first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. With a 10-1 record, a win on Friday would virtually guarantee them an at-large spot and they'd be in good standing to host a first-round game. 

Mississippi State, meanwhile, is hunting for its first six-plus win season and first bowl appearance since 2022. The Bulldogs can also snap a 10-game losing streak versus AP top-10 opponents and a two-game losing streak to Ole Miss. 

Of course, the off-field drama surrounding the Egg Bowl may overshadow the game itself. Almost all of the attention will be on Rebels coach Lane Kiffin as he mulls his future at Ole Miss. He's the top target in both Florida and LSU's coaching searches and he will make his final decision the Saturday after the Egg Bowl, adding an extra layer of suspense to an already heated feud.  

Keep it locked here as CBS Sports provides you with live updates, highlights and analysis as Ole Miss battles Mississippi State in the 2025 Egg Bowl. 

[Nov 28, 2025 at 12:55 pm ET · Will Backus]

Early 2Q: No. 7 Ole Miss 14, Mississippi State 7 

Just as it seemed as if Mississippi State was recapturing some momentum, the Bulldogs just committed a crucial error. Quarterback Kamario Taylor attempted a quick dumpoff pass to running back Fluff Bothwell, but it was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Ole Miss edge rusher Will Echoles. Bothwell then batted the ball into the air as he tried to make the catch, which allowed fellow Ole Miss defender Princewill Umanmielen to come down with a big interception. 

[Nov 28, 2025 at 12:53 pm ET · Will Backus]

Early 2Q: No. 7 Ole Miss 14, Mississippi State 7 

That was a much-needed win for Mississippi State's defense. Ole Miss looked as if it was poised to march down to the end zone on a third straight possession, as the Rebels had second-and-8 at Mississippi State' 21-yard line to start the second quarter. But an incomplete pass, a false start and then a short run forced the Rebels into a 37-yard field goal attempt, which kicker Lucas Carneiro missed. Now the Bulldogs are driving with a chance to tie the game. 

[Nov 28, 2025 at 12:47 pm ET · Will Backus]

End 1Q: No. 7 Ole Miss 14, Mississippi State 7 

Ole Miss is getting whatever it wants against Mississippi State's defense thus far. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is putting together one of his best performances of the year, as he completed all seven of his first-quarter pass attempts for 117 yards and one touchdown -- a gorgeous 24-yard strike to wide receiver Harrison Wallace III. Chambliss has also been an effective rusher with two carries for 10 yards, including one that converted a third down. 

Speaking of effective rushers, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy did not take long to remind the nation that he's one of college football's top offensive weapons. He opened the scoring with a 30-yard rushing touchdown, his 20th of the season, and he also converted a fourth down at the end of the first quarter that will give Ole Miss the ball on State's 21-yard line once the second quarter begins. 

The difference thus far is that Ole Miss' defense was able to manufacture one stop. Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor has played well in his first career start, but it will be interesting to see how he responds if his team falls behind by more than one possession. 

[Nov 28, 2025 at 12:41 pm ET · Will Backus]

Late 1Q: No. 7 Ole Miss 14, Mississippi State 7 

Turns out at least one defense decided to join the Egg Bowl. After pulling ahead on a beautiful Trinidad Chambliss touchdown throw, Ole Miss' defense did its part with a quick stop against the Bulldogs. Mississippi State made it to its own 40-yard line, but there appeared to be miscommunication between quarterback Kamario Taylor and an intended wide receiver on third-and-8. Taylor's pass flew out of bounds without a single Bulldogs nearby, which forced Mississippi State to punt for the first time this afternoon. 

[Nov 28, 2025 at 12:34 pm ET · Will Backus]

Late 1Q: No. 7 Ole Miss 14, Mississippi State 7 

So far, defense is optional in Starkville. Both quarterbacks are dealing and, as a result, the Rebels and the Bulldogs have combined for 21 total points in less than 10 minutes. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss just helped his team pull back ahead with a beautiful throw to wide receiver Harrison Wallace III. Chambliss put the ball in a perfect spot for Wallace, who made a nice catch in the end zone with a defensive back right behind him. 

Chambliss has now completed all six of his passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. He's also picked up a couple of first downs with his legs.  

[Nov 28, 2025 at 12:25 pm ET · Will Backus]

Mid 1Q: No. 7 Ole Miss 7, Mississippi State 7

So far, so good for new Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor. The true freshman looked like a stud in his first drive as the Bulldogs' starter. He found himself backed deep into his own territory after Mississippi State bobbled a fair catch, but a quick 18-yard strike to wide receiver Brenen Thompson got the Bulldogs out of the shadow of their own goal line. That was the first of three straight completions for Taylor, who covered 59 yards through the air and also scored MSU's first touchdown of the game with an athletic 22-yard scamper on a designed quarterback run. 

Gutsy stuff from the first-year signal caller in such a big spot. 

[Nov 28, 2025 at 12:14 pm ET · Will Backus]

Early 1Q: No. 7 Ole Miss 7, Mississippi State 0 

That didn't take long for Ole Miss. The Rebels started Saturday's Egg Bowl with the ball and took less than two minutes to march down the field for the first touchdown of the game. Who else could it have been but Kewan Lacy? Ole Miss' star running back took the ball off left tackle and sprinted past Mississippi State's defense for his 20th touchdown of the year. 

[Nov 28, 2025 at 12:11 pm ET · Will Backus]

Mississippi State will start true freshman Kamario Taylor in Saturday's Egg Bowl showdown against Ole Miss. The Bulldogs are turning to Taylor in lieu of veteran Blake Shapen, who did not go through the pregame Senior Day festivities. He was spotted throwing on the sideline with Taylor. This will be the first career start for Taylor, who did play extensive minutes in Mississippi State's last two games against Missouri and Georgia. The former top-100 prospect had three touchdowns rushing against the Bulldogs and completed four passes for 36 yards and one touchdown against the Tigers. 

[Nov 28, 2025 at 11:58 am ET · Will Backus]

Never change, Egg Bowl. In the latest unexpected turn of college football's most chaotic rivalry, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin claimed during an interview on SEC Network that Mississippi State fans broke into his team's locker room inside Mississippi State's Davis Wade Stadium twice ahead of Friday's showdown between the Rebels and the Bulldogs. 

The first incident occurred at 10 p.m., according to Kiffin, who said Ole Miss had "secret cameras" in its locker room and he reported the initial break-in to Mississippi State. 

The (presumably) maroon-clad burglars returned at 3 a.m. and stole Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' jersey, Kiffin said. 

"I guess you expect nothing less from these people," Kiffin said while gesturing to Mississippi State fans. 

Lane Kiffin: Mississippi State fans broke into Ole Miss locker room, stole QB Trinidad Chambliss' jersey

Will Backus

[Nov 28, 2025 at 11:30 am ET · Will Backus]

Distractions aside, this is a game that Ole Miss should win handily. The Egg Bowl is a weird game, so it can be hard to predict, but the Rebels have a distinct advantage in almost every major category. They should be able to move the ball at-will against a Mississippi State team that ranks 15th in the SEC in total defense (393.2 yards per game) and scoring defense (28.4 points per game). Ole Miss wins by at least a touchdown (plus the extra point) for the third year in a row. Pick: Ole Miss -6.5 (-120)

[Nov 28, 2025 at 11:00 am ET · Brad Crawford]

If No. 7 Ole Miss beats Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Friday to finish its regular season at 11-1, the Rebels are headed to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history as one of the selection committee's seven at-large picks.

They've earned it -- even if that means taking the field for the first round without the coach who helped lead them there.

Don't buy the doomsday scenarios suggesting Lane Kiffin's potential departure to LSU will keep Ole Miss out of the 12-team bracket. While that would be a new "data point," according to committee chair Hunter Yurachek. An 11-win SEC team isn't getting tossed aside.

It would be unfair to penalize the players after a terrific three-month stretch. The reward is a playoff appearance.

Let's dive into how the selection committee would view a team without a full-time coach. 

How the College Football Playoff Selection Committee would view Ole Miss if Lane Kiffin leaves Rebels

Brad Crawford

[Nov 28, 2025 at 10:33 am ET · Will Backus]

Mississippi State defensive back Isaac Smith is expected to play Friday after missing his team's Week 13 loss to Missouri with a lower body injury, according to ESPN. Getting Smith back in the lineup is huge for the Bulldogs, as the former four-star prospect has emerged as one of Mississippi State's top defenders over the last couple of seasons. Though his 2025 campaign has been hampered by various injury issues, Smith led the SEC and finished seventh nationally with 127 total tackles in 11 starts last season. He has 51 tackles, one for a loss, and one interception in nine games this year. 

[Nov 28, 2025 at 10:30 am ET · Brandon Marcello]

LSU is preparing one of the richest contracts in college football history in an attempt to lure Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge, a person familiar with the discussions tells CBS Sports.

The deal is believed to be for seven years and worth as much as $98 million, the source said, and includes a significant promise that would make LSU competitive in revenue sharing and NIL, the source said. A formal offer has not yet been made. Kiffin is expected to make a decision on his future after next Friday's Egg Bowl against rival Mississippi State, Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter said Friday.

A seven-year deal averaging $14 million per year would make Kiffin the highest-paid coach in college football. Georgia's Kirby Smart entered the 2025 season with an annual salary of $13.3 million. Brian Kelly, the former LSU coach, was fired during the fourth year of a 10-year, $95 million contract. 

Here are more details on the offer LSU is preparing to lure Kiffin away: 

LSU prepares robust term sheet in efforts to woo Lane Kiffin: Seven years and up to $98 million, plus bonuses

Brandon Marcello

[Nov 28, 2025 at 10:05 am ET · John Talty]

The Lane Kiffin will-he-or-won't-he saga adds another layer of intrigue to an Egg Bowl rivalry that frankly doesn't need one.

Sure, it might not get the national attention of The Game, Iron Bowl or Army-Navy. But those who have lived it know just how intense, sometimes frighteningly so, the Magnolia State rivalry between Ole Miss and Mississippi State can be. 

In honor of what should be an especially weird Egg Bowl this year in Starkville, in what could be Kiffin's last as Ole Miss head coach, we decided to take a stroll down memory lane and give you five other particularly notable Egg Bowl games or moments. I've covered a few Egg Bowl games during my time at The Clarion-Ledger in Mississippi, but I still consulted with two of the foremost Egg Bowl experts I know -- radio host Brian Hadad and writer Alex McDaniel -- on what should make the cut. 

Lane Kiffin saga adds to Egg Bowl lore: Revisiting wildest moments of Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State rivalry

John Talty