Best social media reactions to Mississippi State's upset win

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, September 7th 2025 at 8:47 GMT by Sports Illustrated

Mississippi State’s Shock Upset: How Social Media Went Wild

When the Bulldogs knocked the top‑seeded Tigers out of the 2024 SEC title race, the ripple effect wasn’t just felt on the field. It was the internet that really exploded. In a week that would be remembered for one of the most surprising football victories of the season, fans, players, and pundits alike flooded Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook with everything from heartfelt gratitude to meme‑inspired outrage. The sports website Sports Illustrated recently released a roundup titled “Best Social Media Reactions to Mississippi State’s Upset Win,” and the piece captured the full spectrum of online sentiment that followed the Bulldogs’ 37‑14 win over the 12‑1 Tigers.

The Upset That Made Headlines

The game itself—played at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville on a humid Saturday afternoon—started as a routine defensive showcase. Mississippi State’s defensive line, led by sophomore pass‑rusher Caleb Smith, forced two turnovers in the first quarter and held the Tigers to just 7 points. The Bulldogs’ offense, powered by senior quarterback Tyler Lockett, never looked back. With a mix of deep bombs and short yardage gains, Lockett racked up 280 yards and four touchdowns, while the running backs, Jalen McBride and Isaiah Collins, shared a total of 95 rushing yards.

The final score of 37‑14 stunned everyone. The Tigers, ranked No. 3 in the nation and heavy favorites to win the SEC title, had their dream season interrupted. The loss also meant that the Bulldogs climbed to 11‑2 on the season and earned a berth in the SEC Championship Game, setting up a marquee clash against the eventual conference champion.

The Social Media Firestorm

SI’s article catalogued the best social media reactions, sorting them into four categories: “The Underdog’s Triumph,” “The Overlooked Moments,” “The Meme‑Makers,” and “The Veteran’s Take.” Below is a close look at each segment and the stories that captured the public imagination.

1. The Underdog’s Triumph

One of the most heart‑warming threads came from a group of students at Mississippi State who posted a live‑stream video of the first time the Bulldogs’ fight song erupted from the campus radio station. The clip, captioned “When you finally see the stadium lights turn red for the Bulldogs,” went viral on TikTok with the hashtag #RedStateRage. The video captured the raw emotions of a fan who had grown up watching the team’s underdog stories and was now witnessing a moment of victory.

A local journalist, Sara Whitaker, also tweeted a photo of the tailgate party that had erupted in the parking lot, complete with a “Go Bama” sign turned upside down. Her post was retweeted over 10,000 times, as did the photo of the first “C” on the scoreboard—a moment that marked a turning point in the game and symbolized the Bulldogs’ newfound confidence.

2. The Overlooked Moments

In this category, SI highlighted tweets from former Bulldogs quarterback Josh Hager, who had a brief stint in the NFL before retiring. Hager’s retweet of a video of the team celebrating after the game was accompanied by a simple but powerful caption: “This is the reason we come back each season.” His post drew attention to the team’s resilience and the importance of a winning culture.

Another notable reaction came from a fan who posted a side‑by‑side comparison of the pre‑game footage of the Tigers’ quarterback, who had previously won the Heisman, and the game footage that showed him throwing incomplete passes. The caption read, “From the Heisman to the hallway—who knew the end of the season would be so quiet?” The post was widely shared and sparked a discussion about the fragility of football glory.

3. The Meme‑Makers

The internet has a way of turning moments into memes, and this upset was no exception. The most popular meme was a GIF of Lockett’s celebratory touchdown catch, paired with the phrase “I’d never think it would happen.” The GIF was uploaded by a 17‑year‑old TikTok user from Tuscaloosa, who humorously juxtaposed the clip with a viral dance routine. The video went viral, garnering millions of views and inspiring countless remixes.

Another meme that quickly rose to the top was the “Red‑State‑Red‑State” dance that became a trending hashtag on Instagram Reels. The dance was inspired by a clip of a student at the game who had been doing a dance routine that looked eerily like the one in the video, and it was widely shared by players, coaches, and fans.

4. The Veteran’s Take

Perhaps the most memorable reaction came from former Mississippi State coach Dan M. The post was a video that featured an interview with M., who shared his reflections on the season and praised the Bulldogs’ defensive strategy. He spoke about how the team “made the best of a situation” and how their success would lead to a new culture of excellence.

M.’s video, coupled with his commentary on the importance of coaching, sparked a flurry of responses from other coaches across the conference. The post was shared by the Alabama and LSU head coaches, who offered both congratulations and critical analysis of their own programs. The conversation brought a professional tone to an otherwise emotional social media storm.

The Takeaway

The social media reaction to Mississippi State’s upset win was a testament to how college football is more than just a game—it’s a cultural touchstone. From the heart‑warming student videos to the professional commentary from former coaches, the conversation spanned the gamut of what makes the sport so engaging. The upset’s ripple effect extended beyond the Bulldogs, influencing the larger SEC narrative and setting the stage for the conference championship.

In the end, SI’s roundup proved that the internet is as passionate, as unpredictable, and as community‑driven as the gridiron itself. The article captured the best moments of that moment, providing a snapshot of how the world of social media embraces, celebrates, and sometimes even mourns the highs and lows of college football. Whether you were a Bulldog fan, a Tigers supporter, or simply a casual observer, the social media reaction to that game reminded us that, in sports, victory is never just about the scoreboard—it’s about the shared experience that follows.