It’s the battle of the Bulldogs as Mississippi State (4-2) hosts Louisiana Tech (4-2) in Starkville Saturday. Check out the Mississippi State vs. Louisiana Tech prediction and game preview.

Mississippi State vs. Louisiana Tech Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 17
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, Starkville, Mississippi
Network: SEC Network

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Why You Need To Care

Bulldogs will be all the rage on Saturday, as Louisiana Tech travels to Starkville to play Mississippi State. The host Bulldogs will be playing their second straight non-conference game, having easily disposed of Troy last weekend. MSU wants to tweak the overall process, especially on offense, before SEC play resumes next Saturday. La Tech has heated up with three straight wins since losing back-to-back games at Western Kentucky and Kansas State in September. The Conference USA West Division favorite can use this trip as a measuring stick before its own league slate continues.

Why Louisiana Tech Will Win

The Bulldogs possess balance on offense and a quarterback, Jeff Driskel, with plenty of experience facing SEC defenses. Tech is averaging almost 40 points per game behind Driskel and RB Kenneth Dixon, who’s hoping to return from an ankle injury. If Dixon remains hobbled, veteran Jarred Craft has shown he can be a workhorse.

Why Mississippi State Will Win

The visiting Bulldogs have been shaky on D. The host Bulldogs have not. This is the toughest defense La Tech will face all year, a unit that gave up just three touchdown passes in the first half of the year. Driskel, whose SEC track record was forgettable, will struggle with linemen Chris Jones, Ryan Brown and A.J. Jefferson, and must avoid CB Will Redmond’s side of the field.

Player Who Matters

Dak Prescott and the Mississippi State quarterbacks have thrown 12 touchdown passes without a pick this season. And Prescott should remain hot now that last week’s stomach virus is no longer an issue. In Fred Ross and especially De’Runnya Wilson, he has two targets who can beat a Louisiana Tech secondary that’s underachieved so far in 2015.

What’s Going To Happen?

Louisiana Tech is a Conference USA frontrunner, with enough veteran talent to hang with an SEC opponent for a while. But it won’t stop Prescott, and Driskel will be reminded why he had so many struggles as a Gator in the SEC. MSU will adjust at halftime and pull away over the final 20 minutes.

Mississippi State vs. Louisiana Tech Prediction

Final Score: Mississippi State 37, Louisiana Tech 21, Line: Mississippi State -13.5, o/u: 58.5
Must See Rating: 5: The Walk – 1: Pan … 2.5

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