Dan Mullen and the Mississippi State Bulldogs hit the road to open the 2015 season against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Find out how the two teams stack up in the Mississippi State vs. Southern Miss prediction and preview below. 

Mississippi State vs. Southern Miss Prediction & Preview

Why You Need To Care

Mississippi State isn’t the same team that won 10 games and spent a month atop the polls in 2014. But how far will the Bulldogs slide now that so many key starters are being replaced on both sides of the ball? There’s QB Dak Prescott … and plenty of unknowns as the team travels south to Hattiesburg. Southern Miss is fired up for the rare opportunity to host an SEC team. The Golden Eagles want to take another small step forward in 2015 after winning three times last fall. Mississippi State in town provides a chance to make a big splash for a struggling program.

Why Mississippi State Will Win

At all levels, the Bulldogs are bigger, stronger and faster than the Eagles. Having Prescott back for his senior year will help immensely as the team breaks in new regulars. Against a lousy, poor-tackling Southern Miss defense, Prescott will experience little resistance when he takes off or sits in the pocket to find emerging superstar WR De’Runnya Wilson.

Why Southern Miss Will Win

If an inferior Golden Eagle team is ever going to shock Mississippi State, that time would be now. Not only is Southern Miss home, but the Bulldogs are also using so many first-time starters that a slow start is possible. Prescott could be surprised by an underrated and experienced USM defensive backfield.

Who To Watch Out For

Just how difficult will it be for Mississippi State to replace RB Josh Robinson? The Bulldogs start finding out on Saturday. Junior Ashton Shumpert is first in line to join Prescott in the backfield, but young Aeris Williams and Dontavian Lee will be in the mix for touches as well.

What’s Going To Happen

Mississippi State could be in trouble when SEC play begins. But Southern Miss isn’t an SEC team. And the Golden Eagles will lack the size up front and the playmakers to stay with the Bulldogs beyond the first quarter.

Mississippi State vs. Southern Miss Score Prediction

It’s that time, folks. The Mississippi State vs. Southern Miss prediction is …

Final Score: Mississippi State 42, Southern Miss 13