Mississippi State football begins its season at Southern Miss on Saturday, playing in the 11 a.m. slot on ESPN. 

The Golden Eagles are coming off a 1-11 campaign in 2024, but had an exciting offseason with the arrival of new head coach Charles Huff and several exciting transfer portal additions. It’s a matchup of unknowns for two teams reloaded with new talent and looking to put bad seasons behind them. 

What: Mississippi State at Southern Miss

When: 11 a.m. Saturday

Where: M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg

TV: ESPN

Betting line: Mississippi State by 13.5

Weather: Partly sunny with a chance for thunderstorms in the morning and a high of 82 degrees and wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour, per accuweather.

Records/rankings: Both teams are 0-0, and neither team is ranked or receiving votes in the AP Poll. 

Series history: Mississippi State holds a 16-14-1 all-time record against Southern Miss. The Bulldogs won the last meeting 41-20 in 2023, and are on a six-game winning streak against the Golden Eagles dating back to 1988. 

Mississippi State update: Lebby literally knocked on wood at the podium on Monday saying that the Bulldogs are mostly healthy. Kai McClendon, a true freshman starter in 2024, is recovering from a torn ACL in the offseason, but otherwise the Bulldogs are looking healthy in the trenches and plan to run out multiple guys on both sides of the line. 

MSU receiver Brenen Thompson had a wrap on his thumb on Monday, but is listed as WR1 on the depth chart and will lead a group with six new players. 

Southern Miss update: The Golden Eagles enter the season with more than 40 new transfers, and several are expected to make an impact for them this season.  

The biggest upgrade is arguably at quarterback with Braylon Braxton, the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year following Huff from Marshall. His 19 touchdown passes outpaced all three Golden Eagles passers from 2024 combined, and he did so in less than a full season. He started in eight games, throwing for 1,624 yards and 19 touchdowns with another 610 yards on the ground with four rushing scores. He is an impressive player and gives the Golden Eagles a chance to compete in the Sun Belt this year. 

There are still question marks around his offensive line, with so many transfers from different schools playing together for the first time. Defensively, seven starters from Marshall followed Huff to help shore up that side of the ball. 

Southern Miss players to watch: QB Braylon Braxton, CB Josh Moten, DL Brodarius Lewis, TE Kyirin Heath, KR Ian Foster.

Prediction: Southern Miss presents a lot of unknowns for the Bulldogs, but as Huff pointed out, MSU has the advantage in recruiting as an SEC school and the full spending capacity of revenue share. The Bulldogs will have to earn it, but establishing the run on offense and a rejuvenated defensive line against a new Golden Eagle offensive line gives them the edge. Mississippi State 42, Southern Miss 24.