Mississippi State is traveling for its final road test of the season this weekend in Missouri, where both teams will look to rebound from big losses.
The Bulldogs are back on the road after a 41-21 loss to Georgia, in which the visitors led 38-7 just after halftime to effectively end the game as a competition in the final frames of action.
The Tigers suffered a similar fate, falling 38-17 at home against Texas A&M.
Both teams may be without their respective starting quarterbacks, and both teams are eager to end poor runs of form, so it could make for another game of fireworks under the lights on Saturday night.
Here’s how to watch the game, and what to watch for.
What: Mississippi State at Mizzou
When: 6:45 p.m. Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium, Columbia, Mo.
TV: SEC Network
Betting line: Mizzou by 6.5, over/under 51.5
Weather: Partly sunny and warm during the day, windy with gusts up to 30 mph. Highs in the high 50s by kickoff, per AccuWeather.
Records/rankings: MSU is 5-5, 1-5 in SEC play, and one win away from bowl eligibility.
Mizzou is 6-3, 2-3 in SEC play with three losses in their last four games.
Series history: Mizzou holds a 3-2 all-time record in the series, and won last season’s meeting 39-20 in Starkville. MSU’s most recent win came at home in 2020, a 51-32 victory, and also won the last meeting in Columbia 31-13 in 2015 behind the arm of Dak Prescott.
Mississippi State update: MSU got a boost with the news that Albert Reese IV and Blake Shapen are both probable for the game, but safety Isaac Smith is out after leaving the Georgia game with another injury. He had been a game-time decision for that one, went through warm-ups and started the game, but went down and needed help to get off the field during the game.
The Bulldogs need just one more win to attain bowl eligibility, but are running out of chances.
Mizzou update: One of the surprises of the SEC availability report on Wednesday was Beau Pribula’s status as doubtful after being feared out for the rest of the regular season. Freshman Matt Zollers has stepped in at quarterback and had limited success despite taking care of the football. Still, he has two starts under his belt now and may have more confidence to let it fly a bit more against an MSU defense that has given up a lot of yards on big plays in the last three games.
Mizzou players to watch: RB Ahmad Hardy, RB Jamal Roberts, WR Kevin Coleman Jr., TE Brett Norfleet, LB Josiah Trotter, DE Zion Young, S Santana Banner
Prediction: Neither of these teams have shown great ability to get ahead and stay ahead in games against competent teams, and despite MSU’s habit for collapse in the biggest moments, the Bulldogs have proven they are more than capable of playing with most of the SEC field this year.
The Bulldogs’ offensive line struggles continue against a stout Tigers defense, but the ability to air the ball out makes a difference against a Tiger offense that has struggled to find balance with a change under center. The run game brings some success, but the downfield threat is too much for the Tigers to keep up with.
Mississippi State 35, Mizzou 24
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