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Louisville Football: Preview, Prediction for Taxslayer Bowl vs. Mississippi State

By Shelbie Warr

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 18: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates with Robbie Bell #75 after running for a touchdown against the Syracuse Orange during the game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 18: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates with Robbie Bell #75 after running for a touchdown against the Syracuse Orange during the game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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In what will likely be Lamar Jackson‘s final college game, Louisville football takes on Mississippi State in the Taxslayer Bowl. Here what you need to know.

More: Complete 2017-2018 bowl schedule

Mississippi State is in the midst of a program upheaval. They are without superstar quaterback Nick Fitzgerald, who dislocated his ankle on Thanksgiving night against Ole Miss. Head coach Dan Mullen left for Florida, pushing the Bulldogs to hire Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead.

On the flip side, Louisville is clicking on all cylinders on a three game win streak. This team, run by Lamar Jackson, is an offensive juggernaut. With so many questions on the opposite sideline, the Cardinals are hoping to take care of business in the Taxslayer Bowl on Saturday morning.

Here is how you can watch the match up.

Date: December 30, 2017
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Venue: EverBank Field
Channel: ESPN

Keys to Victory

For Louisville, they will need to focus on tiring out the Mississippi State defense. The unit has operated at a high level all season, keeping SEC offenses on their toes week in and week out. Lamar Jackson will have to put everything he has into this game, not focusing on what the future could hold. The Louisville defense also needs to be sure to take Keytaon Thompson seriously. He is no Nick Fitzgerald, but has just as much talent. They cannot just roll over and let him get in a grove.

For Mississippi State, defense is key. Their offense is undergoing a huge makeover as Nick Fitzgerald is no longer at the helm. As a result, the focus should be stopping Lamar Jackson. This kid didn’t win a Heisman by accident. He isn’t putting up monster numbers by accident. If the Bulldogs want a chance at this one, stopping Lamar Jackson is the most important thing to do.

Prediction

This is Louisville’s game to lose. This is Lamar Jackson’s game to lose.  If he can take care of the ball and not let the Bulldog defense throw off his game plan, this should be a quick Cardinal victory. However, Mississippi State will hang around for awhile and fight for a win. It won’t be enough without Nick Fitzgerald and with a new head coach at the helm, but they will fight hard.

Next: Predicting all 41 bowl games and CFB Playoff

Lamar Jackson finishes with two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown, at least in a Cardinal victory.

Final Score: Louisville 24 Mississippi State 14

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