STARKVILLE — The regular-season finale between Mississippi State and Ole Miss football always carries significance, regardless of the teams’ records. This year’s Egg Bowl is no exception.
Mississippi State (2-9, 0-7 SEC) heads to No. 16 Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3) for the annual rivalry game, which takes place on Friday (2:30 p.m., ABC) instead of Thanksgiving this season.
“For me, this week is personal,” said MSU safety Isaac Smith. “I grew up loving Ole Miss. But now? It’s blood in the water. I don’t like them anymore. I bleed maroon and white from head to toe. With my dad playing there and my mom attending, this game means a lot to me.”
Here’s a closer look at the matchup.
Ole Miss’ defense is elite
The Rebels’ defense is stacked with top-tier talent, particularly on the defensive line.
“It’s the most talented roster we’ll face all season,” said Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby.
Ole Miss boasts one of the nation’s most dominant defenses, allowing just 87.5 rushing yards per game—second-best in the country—and only 13.9 points per game, ranking fifth nationally. Their 49 sacks lead all teams in college football. Before last week’s loss to Florida, the Rebels hadn’t surrendered a 100-yard rushing performance all season.
Individually, Suntarine Perkins and Princely Umanmielen each have 10.5 sacks, surpassing Mississippi State’s entire team total of eight. While Branden Jennings leads the Bulldogs with five tackles for loss, Ole Miss has seven players who’ve recorded at least five tackles for loss this season.
Can Davon Booth be Mississippi State’s difference maker?
Mississippi State’s rushing attack has gained momentum in the latter part of the season, thanks in large part to Davon Booth. The Utah State transfer has racked up 229 rushing yards and two touchdowns over the last two games, including a standout 125-yard, one-touchdown performance against Tennessee, a team known for its tough run defense.
A strong showing from Booth could help relieve some of the burden on freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., who seems to be hitting a rough patch. Van Buren has been limited to under 200 passing yards in back-to-back games, and his first-quarter fumble against Missouri proved to be a turning point in that matchup.
“That moment should stick with him for the rest of his playing career,” said coach Jeff Lebby.
Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Tre Harris must be stopped
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Tre Harris rank among the SEC’s elite at their positions.
Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby praised Dart, highlighting his resilience. “He’s capable of a lot, but his incredible toughness stands out. I think it inspires their whole team and makes them play harder for him,” Lebby said.
Dart leads the SEC in several key categories, with 3,732 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Harris, despite missing games due to injury, has amassed 1,030 receiving yards in only eight appearances. However, Harris left the Florida game with an injury and did not return. If he’s unavailable, Ole Miss still boasts a strong receiving corps, including Cayden Lee, Jordan Watkins, and Antwane Wells Jr.
Mississippi State vs Ole Miss score prediction
Prediction: Ole Miss 45, Mississippi State 16
Mississippi State has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 40.7 points per SEC game, and there’s little indication that trend will improve against Ole Miss. The final margin may largely depend on how aggressively Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin chooses to press, especially after Missouri’s Eliah Drinkwitz hinted at running up the score in a similar situation.
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