Impact of Recent USC vs Mississippi Matchups Across the SEC and Big Ten

The term "USC vs Mississippi" carries different weights depending on which conference you follow and which sport you prioritize. In the Southeastern Conference (SEC), this matchup traditionally features the University of South Carolina (the Gamecocks) taking on either the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) or Mississippi State University. However, a major season-opening clash in women’s college basketball and significant scheduling shifts in football have recently brought the University of Southern California (the Trojans) into the conversation against Mississippi opponents.

Understanding these matchups requires looking at three distinct events: the October 2024 football battle in Columbia, the November 2024 international basketball showdown in Paris, and the strategic cancellation of future high-profile football series.

Clarifying the Identity Crisis in USC vs Mississippi Contests

When sports fans search for "USC vs Mississippi," they are often met with a geographical and nomenclature puzzle. Locally within the Southeast, USC refers to South Carolina. Nationally, it often points toward Southern California.

Currently, both institutions have active storylines involving Mississippi schools. South Carolina regularly battles Ole Miss and Mississippi State as conference foes. Meanwhile, Southern California is navigating new territory after its move to the Big Ten, which includes both scheduling international exhibitions against SEC teams like Ole Miss and canceling long-term home-and-home agreements to accommodate a grueling nine-game conference schedule.

South Carolina Gamecocks Fall to Ole Miss Rebels in 2024 Football

The most recent football encounter under this banner took place on October 5, 2024, at Williams-Brice Stadium. The South Carolina Gamecocks hosted the 12th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels in a game that served as a stark reminder of the talent gap currently present in the SEC hierarchy.

Breakdown of the 27-3 Defeat in Columbia

The Gamecocks entered the game following a bye week, but the extra rest did not translate into execution. Ole Miss secured a 27-3 victory, characterized by South Carolina's inability to find an offensive rhythm. Lanorris Sellers, the Gamecocks' quarterback, struggled to navigate the Rebels’ defensive pressure, finishing 20-of-32 for 162 yards.

The game was defined by missed opportunities for South Carolina. Despite moving the ball into the red zone three times, they managed only a single field goal. A critical interception by Sellers at the 5-yard line ended their most promising drive, while a failed fake punt early in the game handed momentum to Lane Kiffin's Rebels—a momentum they never relinquished.

Disciplinary Issues and Defensive Struggles

Defensively, South Carolina showed flashes of brilliance but was undermined by a lack of discipline. Freshman edge rusher Dylan Stewart notably drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after a sack on Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. Stewart's "celebration"—simulating the firing of a weapon at the fallen quarterback—gifted the Rebels a first down during a drive that should have ended. Coach Shane Beamer later addressed this lack of poise, emphasizing that such errors are unsustainable against top-tier SEC competition.

Southern California Trojans Edge Ole Miss in Paris Basketball Opener

While football fans were focused on the SEC standings, the basketball world turned its eyes to Paris, France, on November 4, 2024. In a historic season-opening doubleheader, the No. 3 ranked Southern California (USC) women’s basketball team faced No. 20 Ole Miss.

JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen Lead the Trojan Victory

The game was a defensive grind that came down to the final seconds. USC's star sophomore JuJu Watkins lived up to the hype, leading all scorers with 27 points. However, it was Kiki Iriafen, an Associated Press preseason All-American, who secured the 68-66 win. With the score tied at 66 and only 10 seconds remaining, Iriafen drew a foul and calmly sank two free throws to seal the victory.

Ole Miss displayed incredible resilience, rallying from an 11-point halftime deficit. Guard KK Deans, returning from an ACL injury, nearly willed the Rebels to an upset with 19 points, including four critical three-pointers. Despite outscoring USC 40-31 in the second half, a late-game turnover on an inbound pass cost Ole Miss the chance for a final shot.

Tactical Takeaways from the Paris Matchup

The game revealed significant early-season traits for both teams:

• USC’s Free Throw Dominance: The Trojans won at the charity stripe, connecting on 23-of-29 attempts compared to Ole Miss’s 15-of-21.
• Perimeter Struggles: Southern California struggled from beyond the arc, shooting a dismal 1-for-11 (9%). This lack of spacing is an area Coach Lindsay Gottlieb will likely address as the Trojans enter Big Ten play.
• Ole Miss Defensive Pressure: The Rebels' trademark "smothering" defense forced USC into numerous turnovers, proving that Ole Miss will be a contender in the SEC this winter.

Why the Southern California and Ole Miss Football Series Was Cancelled

One of the most discussed "non-games" in recent history is the cancellation of the home-and-home football series between Southern California (USC) and Ole Miss, originally scheduled for 2025 and 2026.

The Impact of Conference Realignment

In June 2024, both schools mutually agreed to scrap the series. The primary driver was Southern California’s move to the Big Ten Conference. With a new nine-game conference slate featuring heavyweights like Michigan, Ohio State, and Oregon, the Trojans sought to adjust their non-conference strength of schedule to ensure player longevity and better playoff positioning.

Ole Miss, similarly, faced a changing landscape. With the SEC weighing an increase to a nine-game conference schedule and the expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP), the risk-reward ratio of a cross-country trip to Los Angeles changed.

The Lane Kiffin Factor

The cancellation was particularly disappointing for fans who wanted to see Lane Kiffin return to the Coliseum. Kiffin, the current Ole Miss head coach, led USC from 2010 to 2013 before being famously fired on an airport tarmac. The 2025 matchup would have been his first time facing his former team in Los Angeles. While the personal drama is off the table for now, the vacancy in the schedule allows both programs to find regional opponents that better fit their new conference identities.

South Carolina vs Mississippi State University Series History

While Ole Miss captures many of the headlines, South Carolina’s rivalry with Mississippi State remains a cornerstone of its SEC schedule. Historically, South Carolina has held a slight edge in this series.

Recapping the 2023 SEC Battle

The teams last met in September 2023, where South Carolina earned a 37-30 victory. This game was a showcase for former Gamecock quarterback Spencer Rattler, who threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns. The win was pivotal for South Carolina's bowl eligibility hopes at the time and reinforced their dominance at home against the Bulldogs.

Historical Head-to-Head Statistics

South Carolina leads the all-time series against Mississippi State with a 10-7 record. Unlike the rivalry with Ole Miss, which has been more balanced (Ole Miss leads 11-8), the Gamecocks have found more consistent success against the Bulldogs over the last two decades. These games are typically decided by fewer than 10 points, making it one of the more underrated "grind-it-out" matchups in the SEC.

Comparing Academic and Campus Life at USC and Mississippi State

For students deciding between the University of South Carolina (USC) and Mississippi State (MSU), the choice often comes down to culture and cost.

While both are major research institutions, South Carolina offers a more urban campus experience in the state capital, whereas Mississippi State provides a classic "college town" atmosphere in Starkville.

Future Outlook for USC and Mississippi Matchups

As conference boundaries blur and the playoff format evolves, the nature of these matchups will continue to change.

In football, South Carolina will continue to see Ole Miss and Mississippi State as gatekeepers to a winning conference record. For the Gamecocks to elevate their program under Shane Beamer, they must solve the offensive stagnation seen in the 2024 Ole Miss game.

In basketball, the Southern California victory in Paris has established them as a national title contender. The Trojans’ ability to travel across the globe and beat a ranked SEC opponent like Ole Miss suggests that the Big Ten move will not dampen their competitive edge on the court.

Summary

The "USC vs Mississippi" narrative is currently defined by South Carolina’s struggle to climb the SEC football ladder and Southern California’s elite performance in women’s basketball. While the highly anticipated football series between the Trojans and Rebels was cancelled due to conference realignment, the 2024 results in both football and basketball have intensified the cross-conference intrigue between these storied regions.

FAQ

Which USC plays in the SEC? The University of South Carolina is the "USC" that competes in the SEC. The University of Southern California is now a member of the Big Ten.

Who won the 2024 USC vs Ole Miss football game? Ole Miss defeated South Carolina 27-3 on October 5, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina.

What was the score of the USC vs Ole Miss basketball game in Paris? The Southern California (USC) women’s basketball team defeated Ole Miss 68-66 on November 4, 2024.

Why did Southern California and Ole Miss cancel their 2025 football game? The series was cancelled because of Southern California’s transition to the Big Ten and the resulting changes in conference scheduling requirements for both schools.

Is there a rivalry between South Carolina and Mississippi State? Yes, as SEC members, they play regularly. South Carolina currently leads the all-time series 10-7.