STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football will be paying money for two of its nonconference games while receiving money for its other nonconference game, according to contracts obtained by the Clarion Ledger.
It will total $1.65 million in game payments for the Bulldogs in 2026.
The SEC added a ninth conference game starting this season, dropping every team to three nonconference games.
MSU hosts Louisiana-Monroe in the season opener Sept. 5 (6:30 p.m., ESPNU) at Davis Wade Stadium. Its other nonconference games are at Minnesota on Sept. 12 and home against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 21.
Mississippi State owes money to ULM, Tennessee Tech
Mississippi State will be paying ULM $1.45 million to play at Davis Wade Stadium in the season opener. It's the largest nonconference payment for MSU this season.
The contract, which was signed in 2021 by former athletic director John Cohen, is for just one game.
The Bulldogs haven't played ULM since 1997, a 24-10 win in Starkville.
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Mississippi State owes Tennessee Tech $550,000. The contract, signed in 2019, is also only for one game. It will be the first game ever between MSU and Tennessee Tech.
Mississippi State will get money from Minnesota but then have to give it back
Mississippi State's series against Minnesota is a home-and-home. The Golden Gophers will be making a return trip to Starkville in 2027.
As part of the contract, signed in 2016 by former athletic director Scott Stricklin, the home team will pay the visiting team $350,000 after each game. So, MSU gets that money this season, but will give it back next season.
The Bulldogs did the same operation for their home-and-home series with Arizona State that concluded last season.
The SEC requires teams to play at least one nonconference game against a power conference opponent.
Mississippi State has never played Minnesota, and the 2026 game will be the first time Minnesota is hosting an SEC team since 1959.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Here's how much Mississippi State football owes for 2026 nonconference games