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The worst kept secret in the state of Mississippi this bowl season is one step closer to being official, as local Memphis reporter Andy Real reports that Mississippi State and Rice will play in the 2013 AutoZone Liberty Bowl on December 31, 2013.
Mississippi State will play Rice in the Liberty Bowl on New Years Eve.
— Andy Burrell (@AndyBReal) December 8, 2013
The Owls, 10-3, earned their berth in the Memphis-based bowl Saturday with a 41-24 win over Marshall in the Conference USA championship game.
The Bulldogs will officially announce a bowl destination later this evening.
We'll have more about the matchup, the Owls, and the bowl later after the official announcement comes.
For now, listen to some Three Six Mafia to celebrate!
UPDATE: further confirmation of the choice
Sources confirm Mississippi State is headed to the Liberty Bowl. Bulldogs will play Rice. @AndyBReal had it first.
— Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) December 8, 2013