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AP Top 25 voters still not sold on Mississippi State despite 4-0 start

Being undefeated four weeks into the season apparently isn't enough for the AP voters.
ByAndrew Miller|
Sep 13, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs cheer team celebrates after a touchdown during the first half against the Alcorn State Braves at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs cheer team celebrates after a touchdown during the first half against the Alcorn State Braves at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images | Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

Mississippi State football is 4-0, off to their best start to the season since their legendary run in 2014. They've handled business against the lesser competition they've faced and pulled out an impressive win over a ranked Arizona State squad.

It's been a strong start to the year, but AP Top 25 voters are going to need more convincing before putting the Bulldogs in their rankings. Despite their perfect record, Mississippi State remains on the outside looking in of the Week 5 AP Top 25 rankings. They're officially the second team out of the field.

Mississippi State is just the fourth SEC team since 2010 to not be ranked in the AP Poll after starting the season 4-0, joining 2013 Missouri and the 2021 and 2023 Kentucky Wildcats.

Multiple teams have no business being ahead of Mississippi State in AP Poll

On the surface, it's understandable why the Bulldogs are unranked despite their undefeated record. Three of their four wins, though dominant, have come against unimpressive opponents. And while their win over Arizona State is of good quality, the Sun Devils, presently unranked, have quite a few doubters at the moment.

If one wants to say they need to see Mississippi State against an unquestionably strong opponent before putting them in their Top 25, so be it. But if that's the case being made, then some of these other selections make absolutely no sense.

BYU being ranked is absurd. The Cougars' wins have come against Portland State, Stanford, and East Carolina. They've won handily in all three, but which of those wins is supposed to impress voters? Even if you doubt Arizona State as being a playoff contender, they're a whole lot better than any of those teams.

TCU? The Horned Frogs are clearly getting credit for owning a pair of non-conference wins over P4 foes, but how good are those wins really? SMU has now lost twice (and by the transitive property is behind Arizona State in terms of quality), and no one can with a straight face suggest that blowing out Bill Belichick's UNC team is significant.

Should Illinois still be ranked after getting bulldozed by Indiana 63-10? They look pretty dang fraudulent at the moment. Can we really say Notre Dame, despite two close losses to good teams, is actually Top 25 worthy when they just gave up 30 points at home to freaking Purdue? Maybe the Irish have some very serious flaws.

Again, saying you aren't sold on Mississippi State to this point is justifiable. But giving benefit of the doubt to some of the teams mentioned above based on what we've seen this season over the Bulldogs doesn't make much sense.

Clearly "SEC bias" doesn't exist when the SEC team in question is Mississippi State. No matter, the Bulldogs get a great opportunity to prove their doubters wrong this weekend when they host No. 15 Tennessee. Take down the Volunteers, and there'll be no questioning whether or not State should be in.

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