Jeff Lebby (HC) – Lebby enters his first season in Starkville after being hired in November of 2023. It’s been a struggle for the new face of the Bulldog program. So far this season, Mississippi State had dropped four straight games after their lone week 1 win against Eastern Kentucky, including a home loss to Toledo by 24. If Lebby wants to make a name for himself and pick up his first conference win, a stunning victory against the Georgia Bulldogs would certainly go a long way in doing so.

Michael Van Buren Jr. (QB #0) – After starting quarterback Blake Shapen left the Florida game with a season-ending injury, Van Buren Jr. will make his second start of the season in Sanford Stadium. In his first start against Texas, he held his own against at the time the No. 1 team in the country, passing for 144 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers. If he and his offense want to pull off the upset, the freshman will have to play the best game of young collegiate career.

Kevin Coleman Jr. (WR #3) – One of the few weapons on the Bulldogs’ offense is this junior from St. Louis, Missouri. On the year, he has 344 yards on 28 receptions with three touchdowns. He and his fellow players with experience will have to help their rookie quarterback get settled down by finding separation against the Georgia defense for first down catches.

Davon Booth (RB #21) – The senior running back leads the Bulldogs’ rushing attack with 54 carries and two touchdowns. He spent his junior season last year with Utah State where he rushed for 805 yards and six touchdowns. Booth will have to find his way for explosive runs to keep Georgia on their heels.

Isaac Smith (S #2) – The Mississippi native leads his defense with 51 tackles on the year. With the many weapons that the Georgia Bulldogs have, the sophomore will have to find a way to be a young leader in the secondary to force key stops and breakups when Bobo’s offense tries to attack.

Stone Blanton (LB #7) – This junior and Jackson, Mississippi product could be one of the biggest difference makers for Mississippi State if they want to pull off the win. So far this season, Blanton has two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, along with 41 tackles. If he can somehow force Georgia to cough up the ball a time or two, he can at the very least keep his team within striking distance.

Elijah Cannon (CB #24) – Cannon is the only player on the team this year that has had an interception so far. While Beck has been pretty good at not turning the ball over, he had four against Alabama, and while these Bulldogs are certainly not on the level of the Tide’s defense, they have nothing to lose. Look for the freshman to fly around the field and try to force Beck into making mistakes.

Will “The Thrill” Clark, who teamed with Rafael Palmerio as “Thunder and Lightning” at Mississippi State, was a six-time All-Star who compiled a career.303 batting average.

Erick Dampier was a two-time first team All-Southeastern Conference center for Mississippi State and led MSU to the 1996 Final Four before becoming the 10th overall pick in the Draft.

Kent Hull was a standout center for MSU from 1979-1982. He then went on to a distinguished NFL career, playing in four Super Bowls & twice earning All Pro honors for the Buffalo Bills.