Ole Miss' playoff hopes are probably over, nevertheless it's rivalry week and going through Mississippi State is — and all the time might be — the most important sport of the season within the Magnolia State.
A promising season turned bitter for the Rebels (Eight-Three, Four-Three SEC) after a 24-17 loss at Florida. Now out of the 12-team playoff hunt, the Rebels can declare a 10-win season for the third time in 4 years. In the meantime, Mississippi State (2-9, Zero-7) is limping to the top of a horrible debut season underneath first-year head coach Jeff Lebby. The Bulldogs are at risk of dropping their 10th sport for the primary time since 2003 (Jackie Sherrill's ultimate season) and going winless within the SEC for the primary time since 2002.
Saturday can also be a gathering for coaches. Lebby was Lane Kiffn's offensive coordinator at Ole Miss in 2020 and 2021 and helped lead this system to the Sugar Bowl three years in the past. The 2 respect one another, although Kiffin hasn't been afraid to poke enjoyable on the Mississippi State head coach on social media.
Ole Miss has gained three of its final 4 within the Egg Bowl, however just one victory was by double digits.
Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss: I must know
It's a foul matchup for MSU's offensive line: Mississippi State seems to be like it is going to have hassle within the trenches towards Ole Miss. The Rebels lead the nation with Four.5 sacks per sport, together with 25 during the last 4 video games. Prince Umanmielen and Suntarine Perkins lead the workforce with 10.5 sacks. The Bulldogs' offensive line was porous, permitting Three.2 sacks per sport, rating 122nd nationally within the 134-team FBS.
“I don't assume there's any query: It's probably the most gifted roster we've performed all season,” Lebby stated of Ole Miss. “It's on tape; you realize what it’s from a workers standpoint”.
Ole Miss' losses are sort of bizarre: How does Ole Miss have three losses on the schedule regardless of proudly owning the nation's No. 2 offense and a top-5 scoring protection? It beats the metric and makes this season much more irritating for the Rebels, who had been constructed to win a championship and are prone to fall in need of a 12-team playoff. It's been a wierd season, and unusual issues are inclined to occur within the Egg Bowl.
How does Jaxson Dart reply? Jaxson Dart threw two expensive interceptions close to the top of the sport — together with the game-sealing decide — to offer Florida the win final week. He apologized to his teammates, coaches and followers after the sport in a scene paying homage to Florida quarterback Tim Tebow's “promise” speech after dropping to Ole Miss in 2008. Dart hung out at Kiffin's house Saturday evening in Oxford, discussing the sport and easy methods to transfer ahead.
“He took it actually laborious,” Kiffin stated.
Dart has been distinctive a lot of the season — Kiffin stated receivers dropped passes that may have gone for 100 extra yards towards Florida — and is the winningest quarterback in Ole Miss historical past. He can change into the college's all-time main rusher Saturday with 49 yards, surpassing Eli Manning's report of 10,119.
Bulldogs don't do something notably effectively: Jeff Lebby promised the Bulldogs would rating a ton of factors together with his late-breaking offense, however that didn't occur. He didn't anticipate his handpicked quarterback (Blake Shapen) to be out for the season with damage, however averaging simply 26.9 factors per sport (78th) is a nonstarter for an offense that to place up the protection. in horrible locations. Simply final week, Missouri held the ball for greater than 40 minutes. The protection can also be a catastrophe, rating 127th in complete protection (461.Eight ypg) and 121st in factors allowed (34.Eight). Unsurprisingly, MSU is 130th in time of possession.
Find out how to watch Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss reside
Date: Friday, November 29 | Time: Three:30 p.m. ET
Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium – Oxford, Mississippi
TELEVISION: ABC | Stay stream: fubo (Attempt Free)
Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss prediction, picks
It may very well be argued that Ole Miss will come out on fireplace, motivated by the loss to Florida and trying to take out their frustrations with rival Mississippi State within the Egg Bowl. I perceive the sentiment, however unusual issues occur on this rivalry, and I think the Rebels' disappointment of lacking the playoffs will result in a flatter efficiency than anticipated. That doesn't imply the Bulldogs will win or come shut, however Mississippi State's performances in earlier video games at Texas, Georgia and Tennessee (all coverages) present sufficient proof to imagine Jeff Lebby will preserve this within the betting line. Decide: Mississippi State +26
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