Wake Forest vs Mississippi State Prediction 1/2/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

Andrew Jett

7 hours ago

Oct 12, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons cheerleader during the first half against the Clemson Tigers at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

MATCHUP	Wake Forest Demon Deacons	Mississippi State Bulldogs
Team Records	8-4	5-7
Spread	+3 -105	-3 -115
Moneyline	+136	-162
Total	Over 53.5 (-105)	Under 53.5 (-115)
Where	Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
When	Friday, January 2, 2026
Time	08:00 PM EST
TV	ESPN

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Mississippi State Bulldogs meet Friday in Duke’s Mayo Bowl college football action from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Here’s a Wake Forest vs Mississippi State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Wake Forest vs Mississippi State pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Preview

Wake Forest won five of their first seven games this year, taking out Kennesaw State, Western Carolina, Virginia Tech, Oregon State and SMU. The Deacons would finish 3-2 over their final five with losses to Florida State and Duke around wins versus Virginia, North Carolina and Delaware. That gives Wake Forest an 8-4 overall record through 12 games this year.

In the Duke matchup back on November 29, the Deacons managed to put up points in every quarter (but also gave up points in every quarter) in a 49-32 loss. QB Robby Ashford put up 342 yards with two scores and a pick on 27-of-43 passing. Demond Claiborne rushed 13 times for 58 yards and Sawyer Racanelli had seven catches for 123 yards and a TD.

Mississippi State Bulldogs Betting Preview

Over on the Mississippi State side, they kicked off the year on a 4-0 run with wins over Southern Miss, Arizona State, Alcorn State and NIU. The Bulldogs closed on a 1-7 run though, falling versus Tennessee, Texas A&M, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Missouri and Ole Miss in that time. Over 12 games that makes for a 5-7 overall record for the Bulldogs this season.

Matched up against Ole Miss back on November 28, the Bulldogs gave up points in every quarter—with double-digits in two of them—during a 38-19 loss. Kamario Taylor was 15-of-31 for 178 yards and a pick while also leading the rush on 20 carries for 173 yards and two scores. Bremen Thompson had 80 yards from six catches as the team’s leading receiver in the loss.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons @ Mississippi State Bulldogs Betting Trends: Bowl

Why the Mississippi State Bulldogs will win

Mississippi State has won each of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
Mississippi State has covered the spread in each of its last four games as a favorite.

Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will win

The underdog has won four of Mississippi State’s last six Bowl games.
Mississippi State has lost each of its last three games.
Wake Forest has covered the spread in four of its last five games in North Carolina.
Mississippi State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games.

Total Points Facts

Five of Wake Forest’s last six games played at neutral venues have gone UNDER the total points line.
Six of Mississippi State’s last eight games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.

Mississippi State Bulldogs Player Prop Facts

Heading into the bowl games, Ethan Pulliam ranks 1st in the Southeastern Conference amongst qualified players for gross average yards per punt (47.7) this season.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Player Prop Facts

Heading into the bowl games, Robby Ashford ranks 22nd amongst qualified players for sack percentage (4.0%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

Mississippi State ranks T9th among FBS teams for Q1 points per game this season (9.2).
Mississippi State ranks T121st among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (15.3).
Wake Forest ranks 13th among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (8.6).
Wake Forest ranks 124th among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (74.4).

Wake Forest vs Mississippi State Prediction

I’ll stay with Wake Forest. The Deacons weren’t able to keep pace with Duke in their last outing, thanks mostly to eight team penalties and four turnovers (three lost fumbles). The offense managed 468 yards otherwise with 27 first downs and 6-of-12 on third-down tries. Wake Forest gave up 378 yards with 24 first downs on defense but put up a pretty solid 5-of-13 on third downs. The Deacons are 3-1 in their last four games with 28 or more points in each of the last three.

As for Mississippi State, they fell short against a great Ole Miss team in their last outing, mustering 440 yards with 262 rush yards, 5.9 yards per play and 22 first downs. The Bulldogs have closed the year on a rough run, but to be fair they’ve played a lot of tough teams in that time. Still, I don’t think the Bulldogs will be able to keep a good pace on Wake Forest here.