Mississippi State Bulldogs Preview | Expert Predictions & Best Bets for 2024

Mississippi State Bulldogs Preview, Predictions & Season Win Total Pick

The Mississippi State Bulldogs sit in a tie for the longest odds to win the SEC in 2024. If that doesn’t put a cloud over his group heading into the season, I’m not sure what does. The Bulldogs are coming off a five-win campaign in 2023, but cleared house with their coaching staff. Jeff Lebby was named head coach this offseason and will look to put his stamp on a program that’s badly in need of a Zach Bryan-esque revival.  

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter.

Mississippi State Bulldogs Preview

2023 Record: 5-7 (1-7); SEC Finish: 6th in SEC West 
A.P. Poll: NA | Coaches Poll: NA | PFF: No. 59
Head Coach: Jeff Lebby 0-0 (0-0) | 1st Season | Overall: 0-0
Defensive Coordinator: Coleman Hutzler

Mississippi State Bulldogs Futures Odds (FanDuel)

National Championship Odds: +70000 | CFB Playoff Odds: +10000
SEC Championship Odds: +50000 
Regular Season Wins: OVER 4.5 +152 | UNDER 4.5 -188

Mississippi State Preview: Why You Should Be Bullish

It’s a clean slate for the Bulldogs entering 2024, which should at least inspire some blind confidence. Lebby has been making his way up the ranks since he started at Baylor in 2008. He’s certainly paid his dues as a name that’s been yearning for a job like this. The offense should see better days in 2024 under Lebby, who brought in multiple transfers and a new, innovative offensive style that should generate more points. That’s not saying much when you factor in that the Bulldogs were in a bottom-ten offense in the country last year. 

Mississippi State Preview: Why You Should Be Bearish

The Bulldogs haven’t exactly given us anything of late to sink our teeth in, in a positive manner. Even with some quality changes coming to the offense under Lebby, there are still too many holes on this roster to be excited about where this program is in 2024. With a win total set at just 4.5, it will likely be another year of low-quality football for the Bulldogs. Still, if Lebby can help change the culture, that could help turn the program’s fortunes forward. 

Breakout Player: WR Kelly Akharaiyi 

The Bulldogs went into the transfer portal this offseason and nabbed wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi. Although Akharaiyi is coming off a standout year at UTEP with over 1,000 receiving yards, let’s see him do it in the SEC. Akharaiyi can win deep ball battles with his top-end speed, and if his hands improved even a tiny amount this offseason, it won’t be a surprise to see his name become more nationally known by season’s end. 

Mississippi State X-Factor: QB Blake Shapen

Whether or not the Bulldogs can see a bump in wins this year will depend on how quarterback Blake Shapen fits into Lebby’s offense. There’s reason to be at least semi-optimistic that Shapen has what it takes to handle what will be asked of him in 2024. Shapen has found moderate success in the Big 12 of late, which should at least gear him up for what he’ll be tasked with at Mississippi State. If Shapen and Lebby can find some headway with play-action, there could be some positive surprises from the Bulldogs in 2024 on offense. 

Mississippi State Schedule Analysis

The middle and end portion of the Bulldogs schedule should scare Mississippi State fans in 2024. The Bulldogs will visit Texas at the end of September and come out of their bye against Georgia in October. Followed by Georgia will be Texas A&M, and then, to close out the campaign, the Bulldogs will see Tennessee, Missouri, and Ole Miss. Woof. Games against UMass, Toledo, and Eastern Kentucky are essentially must-win if the Bulldogs want to come even close to going over their win total in 2024. 

Mississippi State Prediction: OVER/UNDER 4.5 Wins

There are certainly some reasons to be excited about where the Bulldogs are headed. The building blocks are at least there for Lebby to potentially turn the program around and put his stamp on things. That being said, Mississippi State’s schedule won’t do them any favors in 2024, which is a big reason why we’re leaning toward under 4.5 wins. 

Mississippi State Preseason Pick

UNDER 4.5 (-188) (FanDuel Sportsbook)

Mississippi State Best Bets

With a challenging schedule on the docket that ranks right up there with the most difficult in the sport, it’s hard to be anything but pessimistic regarding the Bulldogs’ chances at success in 2024. Although there’s a sizable amount of juice you’ll have to lay on the under, one look at Mississippi State’s schedule and you’ll understand why we have no qualms in doing just that. 

SEC Previews: Arkansas | Auburn | Florida |Kentucky | LSU | Missouri | Oklahoma| South Carolina | Tennessee  | Texas A&M | Vanderbilt

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.