Mizzou football at Mississippi State: Five things to know before MU’s last road game
The Missouri Tigers rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit last week against No. 18 South Carolina, but were unable to leave Williams-Brice Stadium with the win.
The Tigers have a chance to redeem themselves in their last road contest of the 2024 season: a trip to Starkville to face Mississippi State.
Coming off a bye, the Bulldogs (2-8, 0-6 SEC) last took the field against Tennessee in Knoxville, where they were handed a 33-14 loss.
“Another week, another opportunity to go on the road in the SEC in a very difficult environment,” head coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “Mississippi State has had an extremely challenging schedule. You could argue it’s one of the toughest in the SEC this year, and so I don’t think their record accurately reflects or depicts the style of football and the team that they are.”
Here’s what you need to know ahead of Saturday’s kickoff...
Mizzou football at Mississippi State game details
Kickoff: 3:15 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23
Where: Davis-Wade Stadium (Starkville)
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Tiger Radio Network
Betting line: Mizzou is a 7.5-point favorite (via FanDuel)
Over/under: 57.5
Five Things to Know
1. There’s limited history between these two programs. The Tigers have only played Mississippi State four times total, and just twice since joining the SEC in 2012. The all-time record is even at 2-2, with Mizzou’s last win in 1984.
2. The Bulldogs took on a new look going into this season. In head coach Jeff Lebby’s first season at the helm of Mississippi State, the Bulldogs brought in 53 newcomers — including 28 transfers, 12th most in the country. Two transfers lead the team in total touchdowns: Davon Booth (8) and Kevin Coleman Jr. (5).
3. The Bulldogs have faced one of the toughest schedules in the country. Drinkwitz was right when he said their record might not accurately depict the kind of team they are. On3 has the Bulldogs’ scheduled ranked second in the country. 247Sports ranked it seventh-toughest overall. ESPN has it ranked second-hardest in the SEC.
4. Mississippi State has a true freshman starting at QB. With senior Blake Shapen’s season-ending injury in September, Lebby has turned to Michael Van Buren Jr. to take the reins. In six starts for the Bulldogs, the former four-star recruit has thrown for 1,415 yards (54.6% completion) with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.
5. Safety Isaac Smith leads the SEC in total tackles. The former four-star prospect has 101 on the season. That mark ranks eighth nationally.
