Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss Egg Bowl Preview
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium – Oxford, Mississippi
When: Saturday, November 26, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Mississippi State Bulldogs (+8.5) at Ole Miss Rebels (-8.5); total 69.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: SEC Network
Writer’s Pick: Mississippi State Bulldogs (+8.5)
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Betting on the Mississippi State Bulldogs (+8.5)
Mississippi State will enter this year’s Egg Bowl with its defense absolutely scrambled. The Bulldogs D has given up an incredible 109 points in the last two weeks to Alabama and Arkansas. Obviously, they lost both games, and are now just 4-7 (4-7 against the spread) on the season.
That awful defense wasted the efforts of quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who had an amazing game against Arkansas. The sophomore had 439 total yards and accounted for six touchdowns (four on the ground) to lead the Bulldogs offense to 42 points, their most in conference play this year.
Fitzgerald has been one of the few bright spots for the Bulldogs this season. He’s accounted for 30 touchdowns (18 passing, 12 rushing), tied for Alabama’s Jalen Hurts for the second-most in the SEC. He also put up 391 total yards and accounted for four touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ big 35-28 win over a then-No. 4 Texas A&M.
Fitzgerald should have a fairly good chance of putting some points up against an Ole Miss defense which has fallen off a cliff this season. The Rebels are giving up 34 points per game in conference play. They surrendered 38 points to Vanderbilt, which was at the bottom of the SEC in scoring offense prior to Week 12.
Betting on the Ole Miss Rebels (-8.5)
Ole Miss (5-6, 4-7 ATS) has had a very disappointing season, but it could yet get into a bowl game if it can beat Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. The Rebels have gone 3-1 (SU and ATS) in their last four meetings with the Bulldogs.
However, the Rebs will not be in good shape entering their big rivalry game. Their defense has been an absolute trainwreck, while their offense is without its most important piece in quarterback Chad Kelly.
Freshman Shea Patterson played very well against Texas A&M as he threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns to lead Ole Miss to a 29-28 win. He fell down to earth in their 38-17 loss against Vanderbilt, though. He completed just 20-of-42 passes for 222 yards. The Rebels running game is virtually nonexistent, so they’ll need Fitzgerald to have a great game.
The good news for the freshman is Mississippi State’s defense will be the weakest he’s faced to date. The Bulldogs’ pass defense, in particular, has been absolutely dreadful. They are dead last in the conference in passing yards allowed, touchdowns allowed, completion percentage allowed, and yards per attempt allowed this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Mississippi State (+8.5) puts up enough points to make the Egg Bowl close. Ole Miss has home-field advantage and likely has enough to win, but the Bulldogs cover in a 45-38 loss.
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