Egg Bowl injury updates: Mississippi State at Ole Miss Thursday availability report revealed

We are on day closer to one of the best rivalries in college football. The Egg Bowl is set to take place in Starkville, with the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels squaring off. Plenty will be on the line, for both teams.

Before then, there are some injuries to deal with. Thursday’s SEC availability report gave us another look at who might be out for the Friday afternoon tilt. This will be one of the last updates given, providing some clarity.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

• CB Jett Jefferson – Out
• DL Will Whitson – Out
• OL Brennan Smith – Out
• OL Blake Steen – Out
• RB Davon Booth – Out (first half)
• DB Isaac Smith – Questionable

Ole Miss Rebels

• LB Raymond Collins – Out
• CB Antonio Kite – Out

Ole Miss has won back-to-back games in the rivalry, looking to extend the winning streak to three. You have to go back three decades to find the last instance of such, when the Rebels won from 2002 to 2004. A lot of back-and-forth in this rivalry, being a part of the fun.

More than normal bragging rights are on the line as well. Ole Miss can seemingly lock in a spot for the College Football Playoff with a win. The Rebels are still alive for the SEC Championship as well, even if it’s considered a long shot.

As for Mississippi State, bowl eligibility remains a possibility. Jeff Lebby‘s squad holds a 5-6 record and could get back in the postseason for the first time since 2022. Beating your bitter, bitter rivals to pull off the accomplishment would be a massive step forward as well.

Ole Miss waiting to hear on future of Lane Kiffin

One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Egg Bowl has nothing to do with the on-field product. Everyone in Oxford is waiting to hear what head coach Lane Kiffin is going to do waiting forward. We are expecting an announcement to come on Saturday.

Florida and LSU are both vying for his services, while Ole Miss is hoping to retain him. There is a chance Ole Miss heads into the SEC Championship or CFP without a head coach. Not a situation we have ever seen in modern college football.

For now, all focus is on making sure the Rebels emerge victorious on Friday. Kiffin is going against one of his former offensive coordinators, making the occasion all the more special.