Eastern Kentucky vs Mississippi State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels and Mississippi State Bulldogs meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at Davis Wade Stadium. Here’s an Eastern Kentucky vs Mississippi State Prediction. This article will include an Eastern Kentucky vs Mississippi State Pick.

Eastern Kentucky Colonels Betting Preview

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels won 5 games last season and are entering the fifth year under coach Walt Wells. Eastern Kentucky has the same coaching staff It’s had now for five seasons, which is rare in today’s college football. Eastern Kentucky has to find a starting quarterback as it says goodbye to Parker McKinney, but running back Joshua Carter averaged 6 yards per carry in a backup role and tight end Hunter Brown had 3 touchdowns on 33 receptions. Eastern Kentucky does lose its top-3 receivers from last season, but those two players showed serious playmaking potential last season.

Defensively, Mike Smith Jr. returns after 49 tackles, Darrian Baker led Eastern Kentucky with 4 sacks and Frank Lee IV had 1 interception. Eastern Kentucky has been a consistent decent team in the UAC, and I would expect a similar effort this season as well.

Mississippi State Bulldogs Betting Preview

The Mississippi State Bulldogs won 5 games last season and entered the Jeff Lebby era. Lebby comes over from Oklahoma and is a head coach for the first time. Miss State has its quarterback in transfer Blake Shapen, who has 5,500 yards and 36 touchdowns to his name. Mississippi State also landed UTEP’s Kelly Akharaiyi, Arkansas State’s Seydou Traore and Utah State’s Davon Booth. It’s going to be interesting to see how quickly things come together with so many new faces, but the talent is certainly there.

Defensively, Corey Ellington returns after 66 tackles, De’Monte Russell had 1 sack and Deonte Anderson had 4 pass deflections. Mississippi State is replacing a lot of production on the defensive side, and it could lead to some early growing pains. With so many new faces and a new coach, Mississippi State is tied with Vanderbilt for the worst odds to win the SEC.

Why the Mississippi State Bulldogs will win

• Mississippi State has won each of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.
• Mississippi State has covered the spread in each of its last six home games against non-FBS teams.

Eastern Kentucky vs Mississippi State Prediction

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have depth and talent questions for SEC opponents, but games like this should be a breeze. The Eastern Kentucky Colonels weren’t great last season and have questions at key positions, including quarterback and on the defensive side. Mississippi State has the offensive pieces to move the ball successfully and win a comfortable season opener at home. This game truly shouldn’t be competitive, and raise the red flags early if it is. Give me Mississippi State in a beatdown.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Mississippi State -24.5