In a dominant display, Starkville Mississippi State topped Columbus Ohio State 52-28 in Week 9 of the 2026 season. The victory solidifies Starkville's position as a formidable contender in the league, while Columbus struggles to find consistency as they approach the latter half of the season. Tyler Shough was nothing short of spectacular, throwing for 358 yards and five touchdowns, showcasing his ability to dissect the Columbus defense. Meanwhile, Barion Brown emerged as a favorite target, racking up an impressive 286 receiving yards, making crucial plays that kept the Starkville offense firing on all cylinders. Quinshon Judkins led the rushing attack for Columbus with 131 yards on the ground, but his efforts weren’t enough to keep pace with the explosive Starkville offense. Defensively, Starkville made significant contributions to their win, highlighted by Cameron Jordan's three sacks that disrupted Columbus's rhythm throughout the game. Rejzohn Wright's four total tackles added to a solid defensive effort, while the turning point came early in the fourth quarter when Starkville intercepted a pass, allowing them to extend their lead and seal the game. Columbus’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren had two interceptions but could not convert those opportunities into points, ultimately contributing to their defeat.