How to Watch Mississippi State vs. LSU on DIRECTV: ESPN Channel, Kickoff Time and Streaming
No. 22 LSU hosts No. 16 Mississippi State on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at noon ET (11 a.m. CT) at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, and the game is on ESPN, which is channel 206 on DIRECTV. ESPN comes with every DIRECTV Signature package, starting with ENTERTAINMENT, so if you have DIRECTV you very likely already have the game. You can also stream it in the ESPN app or the DIRECTV app.
This one has a different feel for LSU fans. It's the Tigers' homecoming game and their first early kickoff of the Lane Kiffin era, after all six of their first games kicked off at 6 p.m. CT or later. LSU (4-2, 1-2 SEC) is coming off a 35-34 overtime loss at Kentucky that dropped it from No. 10 to No. 22 in the AP poll. Mississippi State (4-1, 2-1 SEC) had a bye on October 10 after a 56-23 loss to Alabama and climbed one spot to No. 16. It's the first meeting between the old SEC West rivals since 2023.
Mississippi State vs. LSU: date, time and channel
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 17, 2026 |
| Kickoff | Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT / 9 a.m. PT |
| Stadium | Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, La. (LSU homecoming) |
| TV | ESPN |
| DIRECTV channel | 206 (satellite and streaming) |
| Streaming | ESPN app (ESPN Unlimited via your DIRECTV account) or the DIRECTV app |
| Rankings | Mississippi State No. 16 AP, No. 19 Coaches; LSU No. 22 AP, No. 21 Coaches (Oct. 11 polls) |
| Records | Mississippi State 4-1 (2-1 SEC); LSU 4-2 (1-2 SEC) |
What channel is Mississippi State vs. LSU on DIRECTV?
Turn to channel 206. That's ESPN on DIRECTV, and the number is the same on satellite and DIRECTV streaming. Press 2-0-6 on your remote, or say or type "ESPN" in the guide search. Here's which DIRECTV options include ESPN, as of October 13, 2026:
| DIRECTV option | ESPN (206)? | Also includes |
|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT | Yes | ESPN2 (209) |
| CHOICE | Yes | ESPN2 (209), ESPNU (208), SEC Network (611), ACC Network (612) |
| ULTIMATE and PREMIER | Yes | Everything in CHOICE, plus more entertainment channels |
| MySports Genre Pack | Yes | ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, local channels where available; $64.99/mo regular price |
Every one of those options covers this game, because ESPN starts at the lowest Signature tier. SEC Network (611) starts at CHOICE, which matters for other SEC games this season. The MySports Genre Pack is the budget sports option. As of October 13, 2026, DIRECTV lists its regular price at $64.99 a month plus tax, and it runs introductory offers for qualifying new customers, so check the current deal before you sign up. Compare every tier in our DIRECTV package channel comparison, or call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll check what's available at your address.
SEC games on DIRECTV, Saturday, October 17
Mississippi State-LSU shares the noon window with Florida at Texas on ABC. Here's the full SEC lineup, with networks set after the October 10 games and the DIRECTV channel for each network.
| SEC game (AP rank, Oct. 11) | Kickoff (ET) | Network | DIRECTV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida at No. 7 Texas | Noon | ABC | Local ABC station |
| No. 16 Mississippi State at No. 22 LSU | Noon | ESPN | 206 |
| The Citadel at Texas A&M | 1 p.m. | SEC Network+ | Streaming only (ESPN app) |
| No. 6 Alabama at No. 14 Tennessee | 3:30 p.m. | ABC | Local ABC station |
| Auburn at No. 1 Georgia | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN | 206 |
| No. 13 Missouri at No. 9 Ole Miss | 3:30 p.m. | SEC Network | 611 |
| Arkansas at Vanderbilt | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 | 209 |
| No. 15 Kentucky at Oklahoma | 7:30 p.m. | SEC Network | 611 |
If you want to flip between the two noon SEC games, you'll go between ESPN on 206 and your local ABC station. Our Florida vs. Texas guide covers that game, and when Mississippi State-LSU ends, ESPN stays on 206 for Auburn vs. Georgia at 3:30. The Week 7 college football TV schedule lists games from every conference.
How to stream Mississippi State vs. LSU
- ESPN app: the game streams live in the ESPN app. DIRECTV customers whose package includes ESPN can activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. Sign in at directv.com, open your TV package and select Activate ESPN Unlimited, then sign in to the ESPN app with the ESPN account you set up. Our guide to ESPN Unlimited for DIRECTV customers explains the deal.
- DIRECTV app: watch ESPN live on your phone, tablet or streaming device with your DIRECTV login.
Activate ESPN Unlimited a day or two early so you're not setting up an account at kickoff. With an 11 a.m. local start in Baton Rouge, that's an easy thing to forget on a busy homecoming morning.
Mississippi State vs. LSU storylines
- A rivalry back on the calendar: LSU and Mississippi State met every season as SEC West rivals until the conference expanded with Texas and Oklahoma. This is their first meeting since 2023, when LSU won 41-14 in Starkville.
- Series history: LSU leads 78-36-3. Mississippi State's most recent win in the series was 44-34 in Baton Rouge in 2020.
- LSU needs a bounce-back: the Tigers are 4-0 at home this season and 0-2 on the road, with both losses to SEC teams, at Ole Miss and at Kentucky.
- Mississippi State is rested: the Bulldogs had the week off after the Alabama loss. Their wins include 41-34 at South Carolina and 31-24 over Missouri.
- What's next: LSU visits Auburn on October 24, and Mississippi State hosts Oklahoma the same day.
Need ESPN before kickoff? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884 to check your DIRECTV package.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is Mississippi State vs. LSU on DIRECTV?
ESPN, channel 206. It's included with every DIRECTV Signature package, starting with ENTERTAINMENT, and with the MySports Genre Pack.
What time does Mississippi State vs. LSU start?
Kickoff is noon ET (11 a.m. CT) on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Can I stream Mississippi State vs. LSU?
Yes. It streams in the ESPN app. DIRECTV customers whose package includes ESPN can activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost, and the DIRECTV app also streams ESPN live with your DIRECTV login.
Do I need SEC Network for Mississippi State vs. LSU?
No. This game is on ESPN, not SEC Network. ESPN is channel 206 and comes with ENTERTAINMENT and higher. SEC Network (611) starts at CHOICE.
Who leads the LSU-Mississippi State series?
LSU leads 78-36-3. The teams last played in 2023, when LSU won 41-14 in Starkville.
More LSU and SEC games: LSU vs. Kentucky, Missouri vs. Ole Miss and Alabama vs. Tennessee. Questions about your DIRECTV package? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 13, 2026. Kickoff times and networks are set by the SEC and its TV partners and may change. Rankings are from the October 11 AP and Coaches polls; records reflect games through October 10. Channel lineups, package contents, offers and prices are as of October 13, 2026, vary by address and may change. Mississippi State, LSU, SEC, ESPN, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.