FWtCT Staff Predictions for Mississippi State Football Versus No. 2 LSU

STARKVILLE, Miss. — “SEC Nation,” the SEC Network’s traveling gameday show is in Starkville this weekend as the Bulldogs host No. 2 LSU at 2:30 p.m. CT at Davis Wade Stadium.

The Bulldogs (3-3, 1-2 SEC) are coming off a lackluster game a week ago that saw the Bulldogs fall, 20-10, to a Tennessee Volunteer team that was just 1-4 and 0-2 in the Southeastern Conference.

When the Bulldogs last hosted the Tigers in 2017, MSU pulled off a 37-7 upset win over No. 12 LSU. The Tigers got their revenge last year with a 19-3 win in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU leads the all-time series 74-35-3 since 1896.

Last week, MSU put up just 267 yards of total offense a week ago. Star running back Kylin Hill was limited to just 13 yards rushing on 11 carries. He enters the game with 609 rushing yards (2nd in SEC).

True freshman quarterback Garrett Shrader was given the starting nod during Monday’s press conference, so he’ll be making his second start of the season, He is coming off a game where he entered in the third quarter and finished with 79 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed the ball 13 times for 62 yards.

LSU is 6-0 (2-0 SEC) and is coming off of a 42-28 victory over Florida last Saturday. Senior quarterback Joe Burrow leads the nation in completion percentage (80) and QBR (218.1) and is second in yards (2,157) and touchdowns (25). His top two targets on the outside are junior wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has 40 catches for 670 yards and eight touchdowns on the year, and sophomore wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who has reeled in 30 catches for 578 yards and eight touchdowns.

Let’s get into the picks.

Collin Wilmes: I’d love to see an upset win by the Bulldogs, but I think this Tiger offense is too explosive for the Bulldogs and will just be too much for MSU to keep up with. Final score: LSU wins 45-24.

Gil Maneclang: The LSU Tigers roll into Starkville with all the momentum. Nothing stops this Tiger train, and the Bulldogs fall easily. The defense allows Joe Burrow to throw all over the field and the offense manages to put up some points but most of it in garbage time. Let’s throw in another special teams mistake because we haven’t had a game all year without one. Final score: LSU wins 48-24.

Reece Monroe: Last week hurt, a lot, but I’m still behind Moorhead. LSU currently has the offense that Mississippi State is supposed to be producing. I have optimism, but I think State can only make it a close game. Final score: LSU wins 38-30.

Landon Young: I’m giving you two sides this week. An optimistic and a pessimistic prediction, both of which are losses. Let’s start with the pessimistic point of view. The LSU Tigers come into Starkville and from the opening kickoff dominate the entire game. Pessimistic score: 55-3, Tigers.

Alright, here’s the optimistic view: MSU stops them on their first drive and Shrader leads the Bulldogs down the field and score first. It’s obvious they’re going to be more sound on all sides of the ball, but if MSU comes out and competes, then I’ll take the Tigers in a 52-31 game.

Andrew Robert: Though this game will be played at Davis Wade, Joe Burrow and the LSU offense will be too much for the Bulldogs. Final score: LSU wins 35-21.

You can watch this game on CBS with kickoff time set for 2:30 p.m. CT.