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[00:00]
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A pivotal season upcoming for Jeff Leby and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. There's a lot of reason for hope, optimism and excitement, but it's got to pan out in year three of his tenure. And of course, guys, another brutal SEC schedule awaits. I'm here locking in my game by game predictions for the Mississippi State Bulldogs this season. First things first, let's take a look at what our friends over at KI think about Mississippi State first, starting with with percentage chance. When it comes to regular season wins, KSHI gives Mississippi State a 58% chance to win four or more games, 56% to win five or more, 43% to win six or more, 34% to win seven or more, 13% to win eight or more, 10% to win nine or more, 6% to win 10 or more. They do not have a percentage for 11 or more, but they give Mississippi State a 3% chance to win 2012 games. If you are feeling frisky. So if you look at the numbers, guys, right about five and a half is what cow she's expecting from a standpoint of an over under, that's where the numbers break from 56% to 43% five plus wins to six plus wins. So Kalshee looking at Mississippi State and saying, yep, fringe bowl team, are they going to make a bowl? Are they not? And that question the answer to it's going to go a long way in determining who is on the sidelines for Mississippi State in 2027. So guys, that being said, let's pull up Mississippi State schedule as once again I lock in my game by game predictions starting in week number one in start full as Ulm the Warhawks come to town as year three of the Jeff Levy era gets underway. Guys, again there like I mentioned, a lot of excitement, hope, optimism when you have guys like Kamario Taylor at the quarterback position, Fluff Bothwell back at running back, Anthony Evans back at receiver, Zach Garnett lending the defense. I think that's what this first game is going to be about for like so many other SEC teams is just getting a first look at what you got. You know, how does Kamario Taylor, he's the dude now, right? He's QB1. How does he look in his first action in the 2026 season? You know, how does the offense click? How does the offense gel? Can you get off to a fast start? Because certainly you're going to need to with some of the games you have upcoming after this one. This is, this is sort of your get right game, right? This is your Confidence builder. This is your opportunity to take everything you did on the practice field, everything you built over the off season and put it on the field and take it out to somebody else and again feel really good about the potential prospects. It's a tone setter. It matters how you win this game, right? So, you know, I think that's what it'll be about. Getting as much confidence as you can for the offensive side defensively as well. What Zach Arnett's going to do, Mississippi State's going to win. They're probably going to win comfortably, but how it looks and what it looks like and who shines and what have you, that's what's going to be most important. Just how it happens. I do think Mississippi State wins. I think they win comfortably and I think they start this season one and a week. Two is a tricky game at Minnesota. P.J. fleck and Co. By the way, just for some context. Minnesota 70 at home last year. Take it for what it's worth. 70 at home. I don't think Minnesota is necessarily world beaters. They do play hard on a PJ flag. They're Minnesota is one of those teams in college football and hopefully there's no Golden Gophers fans that come at me in the comments, but I feel like they know what they are. Minnesota's under no illusion they're going to be a college football playoff team. They're just like, hey, if we can be a really competitive 7 or 8 win team every single year and play hard and play the right way and have some score, some fun wins, signature wins, whatever, that's good enough for us. So like they're a solid college football program, not world beaters by any means. And I will say this guys, because I think we all agree getting the bowl eligibility in year three of Jeff Levy is the minimum expectation I've heard from folks in that building. 7 and 5 is the number they're shooting for and the number they're expected to hit. If you are going to get to that number, you gotta win this game against Minnesota. It's a must have. Unfortunately. I think you dropped this one. I think you start the season one and one again. Minnesota was great at home last year and I think that continues. I think the Golden Gophers get the win. First real road start. Unless I'm forgetting one from last year. First road start for Kamario Taylor. You know, does the defense. Is the defense still a little bit leaky? Right. Zach Arnett's got his work cut out for him and trying to Fix that group. I think Mississippi State, or excuse me, I think Minnesota trips up Mississippi State and I think you fall to one and one the following week. Guys, you're at South Carolina. This your SEC opener, SEC road opener. And guys, when you look down this schedule, this is one of your best opportunities to win an SEC game, right? When you think about what the Gamecocks were last year, think about how important this game is for both sides. By the way, Shane Beamer's on arguably the hottest seat in the sec. Jeff Levy's not far behind him. I mean, this is the loser of this one. Boy, they're going to have a long following week. It is going to be a very uncomfortable conversation with for both going into the following week. So again, you get that first road game out of your under your belt against Minnesota, you go into South Carolina, into Williams Bryce Stadium. The best news for you in this ball game is it's not a night game. You don't have to deal with Williams Bryce Stadium at night. That place is still Rockets during the day, but it's different, a different level at night. Right? I think this is sneaky. When I say one of the best games of the year. I think this game has drunk potential. I think this game has wacky potential. I think this game has the potential to be one of the crazier games that we see in the 2026 season that not enough people talk about. And I think Mississippi State pulls off the upset at Williams Bryce Stadium, which I say it's an upset. I think it is an upset from the standpoint of how people view these two teams in two programs. I don't think it's that big of an upset, though. I think Mississippi State has the pieces in place offensively to attack a South Carolina defense. That will be good, but they're going to have their own holes to plug early in the season as well. Guys, South Carolina, for those that don't know this is what they do. They lose a game they feel like they're not supposed to and even though it's at home, I think it's going to happen for them early in season. I think Mississippi State pulls the upset. I still don't trust South Carolina on the offensive line. And I think Zach Arnett against new OC Kendall Briles. I think Zach Arnett dialing up a pass rush against a makeshift offensive line out of the transfer portal can do enough to rattle Lenora Sellers. Mississippi State Sellers and Taylor, by the way, great quarterback matchup. Wacky game. Mississippi State gets the win, moves to two in one massive tone setting win in SEC play. The following week you take on Missouri at home, night game at Davis Wade. Guys, you beat South Carolina. You're two and one place will be jumping. I think Mississippi State starts SEC play two zero similar to last year. I think State gets off to a really fast start. I think you're three and one out of the gate. Two zero in SEC play. Vibes are high guys. Admittedly I am selling stock on the Missouri Tigers. I don't even know if Ahmad Hardy is going to be ready for this game. From people I've talked to, they're skeptical. I don't know what I'm getting out of Austin Simmons. I, I, I don't know what the offensive side of the football is going to look like with a new play caller and you have zero returning starters on defense. I think this is a really gettable game for Mississippi State, guys. I, I think you actually it's a really favorable start in SEC play getting at South Carolina and Mizzou. Those are two of the most winnable SEC games you have on the schedule. I think you do it and I think you start the season three and one and I think vibes are high. You get the month of October going and I tell you this, if Mississippi State starts 3 and 1, Starkville is going to be jumping. When the Alabama Crimson Tide come to town. It is a upset alert spot for Bama. There's no question it's a winnable game for State. That being said, I got to see it before I can believe it because if there's anything that I can trust it is Alabama beating Mississippi State because they've always done it. I know Nick Saban's not on the sideline anymore but I mean you guys have seen it. Who am I telling? I do think Bama gets the win here. I think your two game win streak comes to an end and I think you fall to 2 and 2. 500 on the season. I will be curious to see how close State's able to play Alabama. Can you make this competitive? I you hate to say you're taking away moral victories in year three but if you can at least get Bama down to the wire and we saw Mississippi State a season ago knocking on the door. How close were they last year? Right? Against Texas, against Tennessee, against Florida. Can you finish if you're in that position? Just got to see it. So I think you're 2 and 2 or excuse me, 3 and 2 out of the gate. I think you're 3 and 2 through your first five going into the bye week. Here's where the schedule really starts to show its teeth. Because coming off the buy, you're at lsu. Good news for you at lsu. It's an early game. You don't get Death Valley at night. I still think LSU is just far ahead of where you are. I think you dropped that game. I think you fall to three and three on the season, then you get Oklahoma at home. Guys, realistic college football playoff contender. I think that defense Brent Venables Co. Will have a game plan to shut down Camario Taylor, make Mississippi State one dimensional, if anything. And I like John Matier a lot. I think they're going to be much better in the conventional run game. And John Matier is a playmaker as long as he's healthy. I think Oklahoma beats you. I think you drop that one and I think you dropped to three and four, then you're at Texas. I mean, come on, man, like this schedule is, is. It's a murderer's row. The month of October is a straight up Murderers row. And I think you go defeated in October, guys. I think you dropped that one at Texas. Night game in Austin. Texas is arguably the SEC's best shot to win a national title. I just think from a talent standpoint, I just don't think your roster matches up. And I know you were close last year and heck, close. You had them beat. You had him beat last year. I think Texas will take that experience and they will not take Mississippi State lightly this season. So after starting 3 and 1, you are now sitting at 3 and 5. Okay, but here comes relief. The month of November, you take on the Vanderbilt Commodores at Davis Wade Homecoming, by the way, in Starkville. I think you dropped this game too. I do, I listen. I think Vandy is one of those teams. I think you'd rather catch them early than late because you do have a young quarterback and Jared Curtis, some new pieces on the offensive line, a pass rush they're trying to figure out. But I think at this point in the season, November, I think a lot of those questions will be answered at this point. Like Jared Curtis won't really be a freshman anymore. Right. I think Vandy clips you on your home field. I think you fall to. What is that? 3 and 2, 3 4, 5, 3 and 6. I think Utah to 3 and 6 through nine games and you get the Auburn Tigers at home. I think you dropped this one, too. I think you're at three and seven and I'm saying all this out loud. The last two. I Just mentioned, very, very winnable. And if you're gonna get to bowl eligibility, you probably got to win one, if not both of them. But right now, I give Byron Brown, Alex Golish, DJ Durkin, Defensively, I give them the edge over you. So you fall to 3 and 7 in my predictions. You get Tennessee Tech the following week. Thank God, poor Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles are going to feel the brunt of frustration as you'll win that one, go to four and seven. But then you close out the season at Ole Miss. And guys, I've got Ole Miss in my College Football Playoff. And I think if Ole Miss is playing you with a spot in the College Football Playoff on the line, I, they're, they're just not going to take it lightly and they're not going to lose focus of the task at hand. So I think you lose the Egg bowl to Pete Golding, to Ole Miss to finish with a record, a 4 and 8, 2 and 7 NSCC play. Now, again, to all my Mississippi State folks, those of you that are still left, probably a lot of you checked out, tuned out, unsubscribed, blocked me, whatever that might be. First off, it picks, never personal. I hope this is wrong. I hope Mississippi State goes the inverse of this record. I Hope they go 8 and 4, right. I hope Mississippi State's one of those breakout teams in the conference this year. And I think, and, and it's not going to make anybody feel better, but of the teams that I picked with a losing record, I am the highest on Mississippi State from the standpoint of they could be the surprise team because hey, guess what, guys? Mississippi State's not the only team I picked to have a losing record in the SEC this year. Teams, somebody's got to lose football games. Not Everybody can go 8 and 4, 7 and 5, 9 and 3, whatever. I think you've got dynamic enough of a player at quarterback and Camario Taylor weapons around him. And if Zach Arnett can get this defense back to a level of respectability and if this football team can close late because you had opportunities last year, how close were you to 8 and 4? Man, you weren't that far away. You were a couple plays away from 8 and 4. And I think getting the bowl eligibility should be the expectation. I do not think in this scenario Jeff Levy's back in 2027. I don't. But part of this too is I'm skeptical. Skeptical of Jeff Levy. Like, I just need to see it. You've won one conference game in two years. I just, I gotta see it man. You know starting out four zero last year was great and four zero against non con was great. You won one SEC game. It was against Arkansas. You won zero the year prior. I mean Mississippi State should finish with a better record than this. I am fully embracing that. Camario Taylor is the highest rated quarterback prospect in the history of the program. For the sake of your job, for the sake of the trajectory, for the sake of him not leaving via the portal and going elsewhere and being the next quarterback at Miami or lsu, you got to get to a bowl game. You got to get the bowl eligibility and you'd like to get above.500 in doing so. But for now I got to see it before I can believe it guys. 4 and 8, 2 and 7 and SEC play is where I sit. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Sell me on Mississippi State. Tell me why I'm wrong. Let me me know in the comments if you agree. Disagree, what have you. Let the banter begin. Love to hear your thoughts on Mississippi State heading into the 2026 season. Guys. That's going to do all for me. Really appreciate each and every single one of you tuning in. Before we get out of here really quick, we want to tell you about our friends over at KI because as always, we're brought to you by our friends at Cali. Before the season even kicks off, everyone is making predictions. Every single conference, national champion, who makes the playoff, who's lifting the trophy at season 10. All on Kalshi, America's number one prediction market platform. You can trade those predictions in a live market. So guys like I just mentioned, literally everything. Individual games, who makes the playoff, who wins the natty, who wins the Heisman. They got so much stuff outside of sports as well. On Kalshi, you're trading against beers in a live market, meaning there's no house and as the probability changes you can buy in and out of your position, trade the draft, pick the game and more. On Kalshi, download the Cal app and use promo code SECU to get up to 500 in bonus credits when you trade 25 that's K A L S H I kalshi trade on anything 18 and up only restrictions and eligibility requirements of Blyman contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values and available markets may differ for those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory guys once again appreciate each and every single one of you tuning in. Hit that like and subscribe button on YouTube. Check us out Podcast all across your favorite social media platforms as well as our website sec unfiltered.com follow me@c philly19 and again, stay tuned to all of our content because it's content bleeding out of the eyeballs. Guys, once again, appreciate you all tuning in. Have a great rest of your day. We'll talk to you all on the other side.

Summary6 min read

SEC Unfiltered - Mississippi State Bulldogs 2026 Game-by-Game Predictions

Host: Chris Phillips
Episode Air Date: August 4, 2026
Theme: A hard-hitting, detailed look at the Mississippi State Bulldogs’ 2026 football schedule, with in-depth, game-by-game predictions, insight into Jeff Leby’s crucial third year, and an honest assessment of MSU’s likely standing in a brutal SEC landscape.

Episode Overview

Chris Phillips breaks down the Mississippi State Bulldogs’ 2026 football season, focusing on the critical third year for head coach Jeff Leby. He provides a candid, optimistic but reality-checked assessment of each matchup, referencing analytical projections (notably from Kalshi) and spelling out what State fans should realistically expect. With the Bulldogs projected as a fringe bowl team, Chris weighs the schedule, personnel, and program stakes, and concludes with his reasons for concern and glimmers of hope.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Expectations & Stakes for 2026 (00:00–03:00)

Bullish but skeptical: Year three under Jeff Leby is “pivotal,” with optimism swirling around promising offensive pieces but an unforgiving SEC slate.
Kalshi Projections:
- 58% chance to win at least 4 games.
- 43% chance for 6+ wins.
- 3% chance at a “frisky” 12-win season.
Framing:
- Consensus over/under sits at 5.5 wins— “fringe bowl team.”
- Leby’s job status riding on whether State can push into bowl eligibility: “That question, the answer to it, is going to go a long way in determining who is on the sidelines for Mississippi State in 2027.” [02:08]

2. Game-by-Game Predictions

Week 1: vs. ULM Warhawks (03:00–05:10)

Tone Setter: A “confidence builder” and get-right opportunity, focus on how QB Kamario Taylor leads as QB1.
Prediction: Mississippi State wins comfortably. The how is as important as the result.

Week 2: @ Minnesota (05:10–07:41)

Road Worry: Minnesota “7-0 at home last year”—not world beaters but reliably tough in Minneapolis.
Must-Win to Hit 7-5: “If you are going to get to that number, you gotta win this game against Minnesota. It’s a must have. Unfortunately, I think you drop this one.” [06:54]
Prediction: Loss; MSU falls to 1-1.

Week 3: @ South Carolina (07:41–11:10)

SEC Opener/Wacky Vibes: High stakes for hot seat coaches. “Shane Beamer’s on arguably the hottest seat in the SEC. Jeff Leby’s not far behind him.” [08:27]
“Drunk Potential” Game: “I think this game has the potential to be one of the crazier games... that not enough people talk about.” [08:59]
Prediction: MSU pulls the upset, citing offensive weapons and trust in Zach Arnett’s defense vs. SC’s makeshift O-line. State moves to 2-1.

Week 4: vs. Missouri (11:10–13:16)

Favorable Setup: Night game at Davis Wade; momentum from previous week's win.
Down on Mizzou: Uncertainty about Ahmad Hardy, new play callers, zero returning defensive starters.
Prediction: Win; “You’re 3-1, 2-0 in SEC play. Vibes are high.”

Week 5: vs. Alabama (13:16–15:15)

Reality Check: “It is an upset alert spot for Bama—there’s no question it’s a winnable game... That being said, I gotta see it before I can believe it.” [14:08]
Prediction: Loss; history repeats itself, MSU drops to 3-2.

Bye Week Follows

Week 6: @ LSU (15:15–16:10)

Early kick avoids Death Valley at night, but “LSU is just far ahead of where you are.”
Prediction: Loss, MSU falls to 3-3.

Week 7: vs. Oklahoma (16:10–17:05)

Playoff Contender: “Brent Venables & Co will have a game plan to shut down Kamario Taylor and make Mississippi State one-dimensional.”
Prediction: Loss; Now 3-4.

Week 8: @ Texas (17:05–18:30)

“Straight up Murderer’s Row.”
Texas has title aspirations and learned from last year's close call: “They will not take Mississippi State lightly.”
Prediction: Loss; 3-5.

3. The Home Stretch: Key November Matchups

vs. Vanderbilt – Homecoming (18:30–19:34)

“I think you drop this game too. I do.”
Vandy’s talent gels late; frosh QB Jared Curtis will have matured.
Prediction: Loss; falls to 3-6.

vs. Auburn (19:34–20:18)

Highly winnable, but “right now, I give Byron Brown, Alex Golesh, DJ Durkin, defensively, the edge over you.”
Prediction: Loss; 3-7.

vs. Tennessee Tech (20:18–20:30)

“Thank God, poor Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles are going to feel the brunt of frustration.”
Prediction: Win; moves to 4-7.

@ Ole Miss (Egg Bowl) (20:30–21:05)

“I’ve got Ole Miss in my College Football Playoff.”
If stakes are high, “they’re just not going to take it lightly and they’re not going to lose focus.”
Prediction: Loss; State finishes 4-8, 2-7 in SEC play.

4. Season Retrospective & Program Outlook

Hard Truths but Slim Hopes (21:05–24:03)

Picks “never personal;” wants MSU to exceed expectations—“I hope this is wrong. I hope Mississippi State goes the inverse of this record. I hope they go 8-4.” [21:14]
Cites Taylor’s potential—the highest-rated QB prospect in program history.
"I am the highest on Mississippi State from the standpoint of they could be the surprise team because hey, guess what, guys? Mississippi State’s not the only team I picked to have a losing record in the SEC this year. Teams, somebody’s got to lose football games. Not everybody can go 8-4, 7-5, 9-3, whatever.” [21:58]
On Jeff Leby: “You’ve won one conference game in two years. I just, I gotta see it, man.” [23:16]
Makes clear: If MSU fails to reach bowl eligibility (especially above .500), “I do not think in this scenario Jeff Leby’s back in 2027.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Season’s Importance:
“A pivotal season upcoming for Jeff Leby and the Mississippi State Bulldogs…It’s got to pan out in year three of his tenure.” (00:05)
On MSU’s 2026 Outlook:
“Kalshi looking at Mississippi State and saying, yep, fringe bowl team, are they going to make a bowl? Are they not? And that question…the answer to it, is going to go a long way in determining who is on the sidelines for Mississippi State in 2027.” (02:08)
On the Egg Bowl Stakes:
“If Ole Miss is playing you with a spot in the College Football Playoff on the line, they’re just not going to take it lightly and they’re not going to lose focus of the task at hand.” (20:58)
On Expectations & Skepticism:
“You’ve won one conference game in two years. I just, I gotta see it man.” (23:16)
On Wanting to Be Wrong:
“I hope this is wrong. I hope Mississippi State goes the inverse of this record. I hope they go 8-4.” (21:14)

Final Predicted Record

Overall: 4–8
SEC: 2–7

Useful Timestamps

00:00 – Opening context, Kalshi odds, program stakes
03:00 – ULM analysis
05:10 – Minnesota preview
07:41 – South Carolina (“drunk game”)
11:10 – Missouri breakdown
13:16 – Alabama preview
15:15 – LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas gauntlet
18:30 – Vanderbilt, late-season pressure
19:34 – Auburn and bowl hopes
20:18 – Tennessee Tech
20:30 – Egg Bowl, Ole Miss prediction
21:05 – Season recap, Leby’s future, closing challenge to fans

Takeaway

Chris Phillips delivers a sobering but fair breakdown of Mississippi State's 2026 prospects, betting on “show me” skepticism after two rough SEC years. He tempers slim hopes (thanks to QB Kamario Taylor) with hard realities: “Somebody’s got to lose football games.” It’s all honest, well-argued, and sure to set off banter among Bulldog fans—as Chris invites: “Tell me why I’m wrong. Let the banter begin.”

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[00:00]
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A pivotal season upcoming for Jeff Leby and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. There's a lot of reason for hope, optimism and excitement, but it's got to pan out in year three of his tenure. And of course, guys, another brutal SEC schedule awaits. I'm here locking in my game by game predictions for the Mississippi State Bulldogs this season. First things first, let's take a look at what our friends over at KI think about Mississippi State first, starting with with percentage chance. When it comes to regular season wins, KSHI gives Mississippi State a 58% chance to win four or more games, 56% to win five or more, 43% to win six or more, 34% to win seven or more, 13% to win eight or more, 10% to win nine or more, 6% to win 10 or more. They do not have a percentage for 11 or more, but they give Mississippi State a 3% chance to win 2012 games. If you are feeling frisky. So if you look at the numbers, guys, right about five and a half is what cow she's expecting from a standpoint of an over under, that's where the numbers break from 56% to 43% five plus wins to six plus wins. So Kalshee looking at Mississippi State and saying, yep, fringe bowl team, are they going to make a bowl? Are they not? And that question the answer to it's going to go a long way in determining who is on the sidelines for Mississippi State in 2027. So guys, that being said, let's pull up Mississippi State schedule as once again I lock in my game by game predictions starting in week number one in start full as Ulm the Warhawks come to town as year three of the Jeff Levy era gets underway. Guys, again there like I mentioned, a lot of excitement, hope, optimism when you have guys like Kamario Taylor at the quarterback position, Fluff Bothwell back at running back, Anthony Evans back at receiver, Zach Garnett lending the defense. I think that's what this first game is going to be about for like so many other SEC teams is just getting a first look at what you got. You know, how does Kamario Taylor, he's the dude now, right? He's QB1. How does he look in his first action in the 2026 season? You know, how does the offense click? How does the offense gel? Can you get off to a fast start? Because certainly you're going to need to with some of the games you have upcoming after this one. This is, this is sort of your get right game, right? This is your Confidence builder. This is your opportunity to take everything you did on the practice field, everything you built over the off season and put it on the field and take it out to somebody else and again feel really good about the potential prospects. It's a tone setter. It matters how you win this game, right? So, you know, I think that's what it'll be about. Getting as much confidence as you can for the offensive side defensively as well. What Zach Arnett's going to do, Mississippi State's going to win. They're probably going to win comfortably, but how it looks and what it looks like and who shines and what have you, that's what's going to be most important. Just how it happens. I do think Mississippi State wins. I think they win comfortably and I think they start this season one and a week. Two is a tricky game at Minnesota. P.J. fleck and Co. By the way, just for some context. Minnesota 70 at home last year. Take it for what it's worth. 70 at home. I don't think Minnesota is necessarily world beaters. They do play hard on a PJ flag. They're Minnesota is one of those teams in college football and hopefully there's no Golden Gophers fans that come at me in the comments, but I feel like they know what they are. Minnesota's under no illusion they're going to be a college football playoff team. They're just like, hey, if we can be a really competitive 7 or 8 win team every single year and play hard and play the right way and have some score, some fun wins, signature wins, whatever, that's good enough for us. So like they're a solid college football program, not world beaters by any means. And I will say this guys, because I think we all agree getting the bowl eligibility in year three of Jeff Levy is the minimum expectation I've heard from folks in that building. 7 and 5 is the number they're shooting for and the number they're expected to hit. If you are going to get to that number, you gotta win this game against Minnesota. It's a must have. Unfortunately. I think you dropped this one. I think you start the season one and one again. Minnesota was great at home last year and I think that continues. I think the Golden Gophers get the win. First real road start. Unless I'm forgetting one from last year. First road start for Kamario Taylor. You know, does the defense. Is the defense still a little bit leaky? Right. Zach Arnett's got his work cut out for him and trying to Fix that group. I think Mississippi State, or excuse me, I think Minnesota trips up Mississippi State and I think you fall to one and one the following week. Guys, you're at South Carolina. This your SEC opener, SEC road opener. And guys, when you look down this schedule, this is one of your best opportunities to win an SEC game, right? When you think about what the Gamecocks were last year, think about how important this game is for both sides. By the way, Shane Beamer's on arguably the hottest seat in the sec. Jeff Levy's not far behind him. I mean, this is the loser of this one. Boy, they're going to have a long following week. It is going to be a very uncomfortable conversation with for both going into the following week. So again, you get that first road game out of your under your belt against Minnesota, you go into South Carolina, into Williams Bryce Stadium. The best news for you in this ball game is it's not a night game. You don't have to deal with Williams Bryce Stadium at night. That place is still Rockets during the day, but it's different, a different level at night. Right? I think this is sneaky. When I say one of the best games of the year. I think this game has drunk potential. I think this game has wacky potential. I think this game has the potential to be one of the crazier games that we see in the 2026 season that not enough people talk about. And I think Mississippi State pulls off the upset at Williams Bryce Stadium, which I say it's an upset. I think it is an upset from the standpoint of how people view these two teams in two programs. I don't think it's that big of an upset, though. I think Mississippi State has the pieces in place offensively to attack a South Carolina defense. That will be good, but they're going to have their own holes to plug early in the season as well. Guys, South Carolina, for those that don't know this is what they do. They lose a game they feel like they're not supposed to and even though it's at home, I think it's going to happen for them early in season. I think Mississippi State pulls the upset. I still don't trust South Carolina on the offensive line. And I think Zach Arnett against new OC Kendall Briles. I think Zach Arnett dialing up a pass rush against a makeshift offensive line out of the transfer portal can do enough to rattle Lenora Sellers. Mississippi State Sellers and Taylor, by the way, great quarterback matchup. Wacky game. Mississippi State gets the win, moves to two in one massive tone setting win in SEC play. The following week you take on Missouri at home, night game at Davis Wade. Guys, you beat South Carolina. You're two and one place will be jumping. I think Mississippi State starts SEC play two zero similar to last year. I think State gets off to a really fast start. I think you're three and one out of the gate. Two zero in SEC play. Vibes are high guys. Admittedly I am selling stock on the Missouri Tigers. I don't even know if Ahmad Hardy is going to be ready for this game. From people I've talked to, they're skeptical. I don't know what I'm getting out of Austin Simmons. I, I, I don't know what the offensive side of the football is going to look like with a new play caller and you have zero returning starters on defense. I think this is a really gettable game for Mississippi State, guys. I, I think you actually it's a really favorable start in SEC play getting at South Carolina and Mizzou. Those are two of the most winnable SEC games you have on the schedule. I think you do it and I think you start the season three and one and I think vibes are high. You get the month of October going and I tell you this, if Mississippi State starts 3 and 1, Starkville is going to be jumping. When the Alabama Crimson Tide come to town. It is a upset alert spot for Bama. There's no question it's a winnable game for State. That being said, I got to see it before I can believe it because if there's anything that I can trust it is Alabama beating Mississippi State because they've always done it. I know Nick Saban's not on the sideline anymore but I mean you guys have seen it. Who am I telling? I do think Bama gets the win here. I think your two game win streak comes to an end and I think you fall to 2 and 2. 500 on the season. I will be curious to see how close State's able to play Alabama. Can you make this competitive? I you hate to say you're taking away moral victories in year three but if you can at least get Bama down to the wire and we saw Mississippi State a season ago knocking on the door. How close were they last year? Right? Against Texas, against Tennessee, against Florida. Can you finish if you're in that position? Just got to see it. So I think you're 2 and 2 or excuse me, 3 and 2 out of the gate. I think you're 3 and 2 through your first five going into the bye week. Here's where the schedule really starts to show its teeth. Because coming off the buy, you're at lsu. Good news for you at lsu. It's an early game. You don't get Death Valley at night. I still think LSU is just far ahead of where you are. I think you dropped that game. I think you fall to three and three on the season, then you get Oklahoma at home. Guys, realistic college football playoff contender. I think that defense Brent Venables Co. Will have a game plan to shut down Camario Taylor, make Mississippi State one dimensional, if anything. And I like John Matier a lot. I think they're going to be much better in the conventional run game. And John Matier is a playmaker as long as he's healthy. I think Oklahoma beats you. I think you drop that one and I think you dropped to three and four, then you're at Texas. I mean, come on, man, like this schedule is, is. It's a murderer's row. The month of October is a straight up Murderers row. And I think you go defeated in October, guys. I think you dropped that one at Texas. Night game in Austin. Texas is arguably the SEC's best shot to win a national title. I just think from a talent standpoint, I just don't think your roster matches up. And I know you were close last year and heck, close. You had them beat. You had him beat last year. I think Texas will take that experience and they will not take Mississippi State lightly this season. So after starting 3 and 1, you are now sitting at 3 and 5. Okay, but here comes relief. The month of November, you take on the Vanderbilt Commodores at Davis Wade Homecoming, by the way, in Starkville. I think you dropped this game too. I do, I listen. I think Vandy is one of those teams. I think you'd rather catch them early than late because you do have a young quarterback and Jared Curtis, some new pieces on the offensive line, a pass rush they're trying to figure out. But I think at this point in the season, November, I think a lot of those questions will be answered at this point. Like Jared Curtis won't really be a freshman anymore. Right. I think Vandy clips you on your home field. I think you fall to. What is that? 3 and 2, 3 4, 5, 3 and 6. I think Utah to 3 and 6 through nine games and you get the Auburn Tigers at home. I think you dropped this one, too. I think you're at three and seven and I'm saying all this out loud. The last two. I Just mentioned, very, very winnable. And if you're gonna get to bowl eligibility, you probably got to win one, if not both of them. But right now, I give Byron Brown, Alex Golish, DJ Durkin, Defensively, I give them the edge over you. So you fall to 3 and 7 in my predictions. You get Tennessee Tech the following week. Thank God, poor Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles are going to feel the brunt of frustration as you'll win that one, go to four and seven. But then you close out the season at Ole Miss. And guys, I've got Ole Miss in my College Football Playoff. And I think if Ole Miss is playing you with a spot in the College Football Playoff on the line, I, they're, they're just not going to take it lightly and they're not going to lose focus of the task at hand. So I think you lose the Egg bowl to Pete Golding, to Ole Miss to finish with a record, a 4 and 8, 2 and 7 NSCC play. Now, again, to all my Mississippi State folks, those of you that are still left, probably a lot of you checked out, tuned out, unsubscribed, blocked me, whatever that might be. First off, it picks, never personal. I hope this is wrong. I hope Mississippi State goes the inverse of this record. I Hope they go 8 and 4, right. I hope Mississippi State's one of those breakout teams in the conference this year. And I think, and, and it's not going to make anybody feel better, but of the teams that I picked with a losing record, I am the highest on Mississippi State from the standpoint of they could be the surprise team because hey, guess what, guys? Mississippi State's not the only team I picked to have a losing record in the SEC this year. Teams, somebody's got to lose football games. Not Everybody can go 8 and 4, 7 and 5, 9 and 3, whatever. I think you've got dynamic enough of a player at quarterback and Camario Taylor weapons around him. And if Zach Arnett can get this defense back to a level of respectability and if this football team can close late because you had opportunities last year, how close were you to 8 and 4? Man, you weren't that far away. You were a couple plays away from 8 and 4. And I think getting the bowl eligibility should be the expectation. I do not think in this scenario Jeff Levy's back in 2027. I don't. But part of this too is I'm skeptical. Skeptical of Jeff Levy. Like, I just need to see it. You've won one conference game in two years. I just, I gotta see it man. You know starting out four zero last year was great and four zero against non con was great. You won one SEC game. It was against Arkansas. You won zero the year prior. I mean Mississippi State should finish with a better record than this. I am fully embracing that. Camario Taylor is the highest rated quarterback prospect in the history of the program. For the sake of your job, for the sake of the trajectory, for the sake of him not leaving via the portal and going elsewhere and being the next quarterback at Miami or lsu, you got to get to a bowl game. You got to get the bowl eligibility and you'd like to get above.500 in doing so. But for now I got to see it before I can believe it guys. 4 and 8, 2 and 7 and SEC play is where I sit. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Sell me on Mississippi State. Tell me why I'm wrong. Let me me know in the comments if you agree. Disagree, what have you. Let the banter begin. Love to hear your thoughts on Mississippi State heading into the 2026 season. Guys. That's going to do all for me. Really appreciate each and every single one of you tuning in. Before we get out of here really quick, we want to tell you about our friends over at KI because as always, we're brought to you by our friends at Cali. Before the season even kicks off, everyone is making predictions. Every single conference, national champion, who makes the playoff, who's lifting the trophy at season 10. All on Kalshi, America's number one prediction market platform. You can trade those predictions in a live market. So guys like I just mentioned, literally everything. Individual games, who makes the playoff, who wins the natty, who wins the Heisman. They got so much stuff outside of sports as well. 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