STARKVILLE – Following its second victory over a top-20 team this season, Mississippi State football is back in the national polls coming in at No. 21 in both the Associated Press and Amway Coaches.
The Bulldogs (5-3, 2-3) knocked off No. 16 Texas A&M, 28-13, on Saturday night in Davis Wade Stadium behind four touchdowns from quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. State’s defense continued its dominant play, holding the Aggies to a field goal in the second half after trailing 10-7 at the break.
MSU is ranked for the 15th time in 17 weeks dating back to last season. All three of the Bulldogs’ losses have come to teams in the current top 14 of both polls. Seven SEC teams are in this week’s AP Top 25, including top-ranked Alabama, No. 4 LSU, No. 6 Georgia, No. 11 Kentucky, No. 13 Florida and No. 25 Texas A&M.
The first College Football Playoff rankings will be unveiled Tuesday night.
The updated NCAA statistical rankings were also released Sunday and Bob Shoop’s Bulldog defense continues to be among the best in the nation. MSU is allowing just 13.5 points per game, which is fourth nationally. State has issued the fewest touchdowns in the nation (9), and the Bulldogs have allowed less than 14 points in a game six times this season, which is tops nationally.
MSU steps out of SEC play next Saturday when it welcomes Louisiana Tech for Homecoming at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network. LA Tech (6-2) has won three in a row and sits in second place in the Conference USA West division standings.
Tickets for Saturday’s game can be purchased at HailState.com/tickets, by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or in person at the MSU Athletic Ticket Office on the first floor of the Bryan Athletic Administration Building (288 Lakeview Drive). On gameday, the ticket office in the north end zone of Davis Wade Stadium opens at 3:30 p.m.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB." All-access coverage is also available on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap.
Associated Press Top 25
1. Alabama (60)
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Michigan
6. Georgia
7. Oklahoma
8. Ohio State
9. UCF
10. Washington State
11. Kentucky
12. West Virginia
13. Florida
14. Penn State
15. Texas
16. Utah
17. Houston
18. Utah State
19. Iowa
20. Fresno State
21. Mississippi State
22. Syracuse
23. Virginia
24. Boston College
25. Texas A&M
Amway Coaches Poll
1. Alabama (62)
2. Clemson (2)
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Michigan
Georgia
7. Oklahoma
8. Ohio State
9. UCF
10. West Virginia
11. Washington State
12. Kentucky
13. Penn State
14. Florida
15. Texas
16. Utah
17. Houston
18. Iowa
19. Washington
20. Utah State
21. Mississippi State
22. Virginia
23. Fresno State
24. Syracuse
25. Boston College
The Bulldogs (5-3, 2-3) knocked off No. 16 Texas A&M, 28-13, on Saturday night in Davis Wade Stadium behind four touchdowns from quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. State’s defense continued its dominant play, holding the Aggies to a field goal in the second half after trailing 10-7 at the break.
MSU is ranked for the 15th time in 17 weeks dating back to last season. All three of the Bulldogs’ losses have come to teams in the current top 14 of both polls. Seven SEC teams are in this week’s AP Top 25, including top-ranked Alabama, No. 4 LSU, No. 6 Georgia, No. 11 Kentucky, No. 13 Florida and No. 25 Texas A&M.
The first College Football Playoff rankings will be unveiled Tuesday night.
The updated NCAA statistical rankings were also released Sunday and Bob Shoop’s Bulldog defense continues to be among the best in the nation. MSU is allowing just 13.5 points per game, which is fourth nationally. State has issued the fewest touchdowns in the nation (9), and the Bulldogs have allowed less than 14 points in a game six times this season, which is tops nationally.
MSU steps out of SEC play next Saturday when it welcomes Louisiana Tech for Homecoming at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network. LA Tech (6-2) has won three in a row and sits in second place in the Conference USA West division standings.
Tickets for Saturday’s game can be purchased at HailState.com/tickets, by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or in person at the MSU Athletic Ticket Office on the first floor of the Bryan Athletic Administration Building (288 Lakeview Drive). On gameday, the ticket office in the north end zone of Davis Wade Stadium opens at 3:30 p.m.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB." All-access coverage is also available on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap.
Associated Press Top 25
1. Alabama (60)
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Michigan
6. Georgia
7. Oklahoma
8. Ohio State
9. UCF
10. Washington State
11. Kentucky
12. West Virginia
13. Florida
14. Penn State
15. Texas
16. Utah
17. Houston
18. Utah State
19. Iowa
20. Fresno State
21. Mississippi State
22. Syracuse
23. Virginia
24. Boston College
25. Texas A&M
Amway Coaches Poll
1. Alabama (62)
2. Clemson (2)
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Michigan
Georgia
7. Oklahoma
8. Ohio State
9. UCF
10. West Virginia
11. Washington State
12. Kentucky
13. Penn State
14. Florida
15. Texas
16. Utah
17. Houston
18. Iowa
19. Washington
20. Utah State
21. Mississippi State
22. Virginia
23. Fresno State
24. Syracuse
25. Boston College
