Mississippi State cancels series with Texas Tech football

The Southeastern Conference's decision to expand its conference football schedule from eight to nine games, starting in 2026, has led Mississippi State to cancel its scheduled games against Texas Tech in 2028 and 2029. Texas Tech athletics director Kirby Hocutt confirmed the cancellation and stated that the school is seeking a home-and-home series with another Power Four school for those years. The canceled games were initially set for September 9, 2028, in Starkville and September 8, 2029, in Lubbock. With Mississippi State's withdrawal, Texas Tech's non-conference schedule for 2028 will feature home games against Stephen F. Austin and Wyoming, while the 2029 schedule includes home games against Incarnate Word and Missouri State.

The decision by Mississippi State was facilitated by a clause in the contract allowing for cancellation without a buyout due to a "conference mandated change." The SEC's move to a nine-game schedule aligns with the broader context of the expanding College