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SEC Football Predictions Week 1: Picking Games Against the Spread

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Aug 30, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver De

  • Date: Saturday September 5, 2014
  • Time: 10PM Eastern
  • Location: Hattiesburg, MS
  • TV Channel: Fox Sports 1
  • Spread: Mississippi State -21.5
  • Over/Under Total: 59.5

Last but not least, at 10PM Eastern and 9PM local time, the Mississippi State Bulldogs head south to Hattiesburg for a date with in-state semi-rival Southern Miss. The Bulldogs won last year’s opener against the Eagles 49-0 behind multi-talented quarterback Dak Prescott and a defense that held USM to just 283 yards of total offense (only 71 rushing). MSU rolled up 550 yards and set the stage for a historic season that included the first No. 1 ranking in school history. Southern Miss finished 3-9.

Prescott is back for 2015, as is his favorite target De’Runnya Wilson, but many of the most valuable members of last season’s 10-win squad have graduated or moved on to the NFL. In all, only seven starters return, which is a big reason why the expectations for the Bulldogs are rather modest this season.

It’s a bit odd that an SEC team is traveling to face a C-USA opponent, but given the fan makeup in the Magnolia State, M.M. Roberts Stadium will have just as maroon in the stands Saturday night as it does black and gold.

Therefore, the home field advantage won’t matter much. Despite the losses in personnel for the Bulldogs, and the 15 starters returning and 21 incoming transfers for Southern Miss, MSU has a big edge in talent in this matchup.

State is a big favorite on the road, and it would be wise to take the Bulldogs and the points. Expect a big night from Prescott, who needs just two touchdown passes to become the all-time leader in MSU history.

Next: Best-Case/Worst-Case Scenarios for Every SEC Team

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