The highly anticipated in-state rivalry will reignite this Friday as the Ole Miss Rebels (8-3) take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-9) in the 2024 Egg Bowl. This matchup comes on the heels of a challenging loss for Ole Miss, who fell 24-17 to Florida, diminishing their College Football Playoff aspirations. Conversely, Mississippi State enters this contest struggling, having lost nine of their last ten games, including a recent 39-20 defeat to Missouri. Historically, the Rebels have dominated this series with an all-time record of 65-46-6 and have the chance to inflict a winless SEC season on Mississippi State for the first time since 2002.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. As per the latest odds, the Rebels are favored by 24.5 points, with a total points over/under set at 62. For those looking to make predictions, the SportsLine consensus features an advanced computer model that simulates games 10,000 times and has previously generated a profit of over $2,000 for $100 players on top-rated college football picks.
The Rebels’ offense is one of the most prolific in the nation, averaging 38.5 points per game, ranking ninth in college football. Quarterback Jaxson Dart has been a standout performer, amassing 3,732 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. His dual-threat ability also includes 375 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Ole Miss is a formidable force, allowing just 87.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks second nationally, and they lead the nation in sacks with an average of 4.45 per game. However, they might be without leading wide receiver Tre Harris, who is doubtful for the game.
Despite their poor record, Mississippi State has shown resilience, boasting a 6-5 record against the spread this season. Notably, they have performed well against Ole Miss in recent matchups, going 4-1-1 against the spread in their last six encounters. Head coach Jeff Lebby, previously an assistant at Ole Miss, brings familiarity to the contest. The Bulldogs maintain a strong running game, averaging 146.9 rushing yards per game, and running back Davon Booth has been particularly effective, rushing for 124 yards and a touchdown against Missouri last week.
The advanced model has processed the upcoming matchup and leans towards the under for total points. It has also generated a point spread pick that has performed well in numerous simulations.
As fans eagerly await the 2024 Egg Bowl, both teams hope to capitalize on this rivalry for different reasons—Ole Miss aims to recover from setbacks, while Mississippi State hopes to end a tough season on a high note. Regardless of the outcome, this game promises fierce competition and the passion typical of such storied rivalries.
Summary: The Ole Miss Rebels host the struggling Mississippi State Bulldogs in the 2024 Egg Bowl, a rivalry with Ole Miss leading the all-time series. The Rebels, coming off a disappointing loss, are favored significantly, while the Bulldogs seek to improve on a dismal season. The game presents an opportunity for both teams to demonstrate their strengths and resilience, making it a highly anticipated event in college football.