The Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Ole Miss Rebels are heading in opposite directions heading into the Egg Bowl. The Rebels have lost three of their last four games and have been knocked out of contention for the College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are still in the mix despite falling to Alabama on November 15.
Will the Rebels drag Mississippi State down with them in the pit of fallen contenders? Or can Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott have another Heisman-worthy performance to help lead Mississippi State to the national championship?
Excited for the upcoming week of college football? Don’t forget to check out our preview for the Iron Bowl set for Saturday as Alabama attempts to avenge their last-second loss to Auburn last season.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Ole Miss Rebels Preview
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Mississippi
When: Saturday, November 29, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Mississippi State Bulldogs (-2.5) at Ole Miss Rebels (+2.5) – view all NCAA Football lines
Betting on the Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State rebounded from their 25-20 loss to Alabama with a clinical 51-0 dismantling of Vanderbilt Saturday night. Quarterback Prescott was at his best completing 16 of 21 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a four yard rushing score in the first half – a half that saw a total of five touchdowns by the Bulldogs.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]More importantly, the Heisman candidate didn’t turn the ball over against Vanderbilt after throwing eight interceptions over the past five games. Prescott can’t take Ole Miss’ pass defense for granted though, as they are excellent in creating takeaways. If the Bulldogs quarterback happens to misfire on some throws, he may hand Ole Miss more chances to score.
Wide receiver Joe Morrow caught two of Prescott’s scoring passes, finishing with 79 yards on five receptions. Against a vulnerable Ole Miss defense which allowed 253 yards to Arkansas’ weak passing game on Saturday, expect Prescott and Morrow to continue connecting on crucial plays to light up the scoreboard.
On the other side of the ball, the Bulldogs have the second-most sacks in the SEC (35). With a potent pass rush, the Bulldogs may be able to force Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace into some timely errors. Wallace was responsible for four turnovers in the Rebels’ loss to Arkansas (two interceptions and two lost fumbles).
The Bulldogs are 5-2 ATS in conference play this season.
Betting on the Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss certainly picked exactly the wrong time to lay an egg as they were defeated 30-0 by Arkansas. The Rebels have now lost three-straight SEC games, giving away any chance they had at making the SEC championship game.
Quarterback Bo Wallace, who suffered a sprained ankle during the game, threw for 235 yards and two interceptions as the Rebels struggled to get into the game without the injured wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. Ole Miss also didn’t have leading receiver Vince Sanders, who leads the team with six touchdown passes this season.
The Rebels will need their defense to be on lockdown mode against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs struggled against the only top defense in the nation they’ve played this season, Alabama. Ole Miss isn’t too far behind as they had allowed 310 total yards per game before encountering Arkansas on Saturday.
The Rebels are excellent in takeaways as they lead the SEC in interceptions (19), with three returned for touchdowns. Senior defensive back Senquez Golson owns a conference-high nine interceptions. Golson may deliver the spark Ole Miss need to start Mississippi State quarterback Prescott’s turnover problems.
While Prescott avoided throwing an interception in his last game, they were against SEC West bottom feeders, Vanderbilt. Ole Miss are totally different animals when it comes to forcing turnovers.
Ole Miss has won six of its last seven home games against Mississippi State, along with a 5-1-1 ATS record.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bulldogs (-2.5) take a hard-earned win over the Rebels to keep their spot in the College Football Playoff. Create a betting account now and put your picks to the test as the college football season approaches its end.
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