Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 8/30/2025 12:00 PM EDT

We have your Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Mississippi State Bulldogs hit the road to face the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: Mississippi State Bulldogs -480.0 on Caesars | Southern Miss Golden Eagles +450.0 on Fanduel.
Best Spread Odds: Mississippi State Bulldogs -13.5 (-110.0) on BetRivers | Southern Miss Golden Eagles +14.5 (-120.0) on Fanduel.
Best Total Odds: Over 58.5 (-120) on ESPN BET | Under 59.5 (-112) on DraftKings.

Game Info

Date: 2025-08-30
Time: 12:00 PM EDT
Location: Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, Miss.
TV: ESPN

Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles Preview

The Mississippi State Bulldogs, coming off a 2-10 season, will open their 2025 campaign on the road against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Last year, the Bulldogs averaged 25.8 points per game (85th in college football) but struggled defensively, allowing 34.1 points per game (118th). Quarterback Blake Shapen returns for Mississippi State after an injury-shortened 2024 season where the team went 1-3 with him under center. Despite their struggles, the Bulldogs showed a tendency to cover the spread against SEC competition last year, doing so in six of their last ten games.

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles also had a tough 2024, finishing 1-11 and missing a bowl appearance. Their offense averaged a mere 15.3 points per game (132nd), while their defense conceded 37.8 points per game (128th). However, the Golden Eagles enter this season with a new head coach, Charles Huff, who brings a winning pedigree from Marshall. A significant addition for Southern Miss is transfer quarterback Braylon Braxton, who threw for 1,624 yards and 19 touchdowns with only two interceptions last season, adding 610 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. This new leadership and talent at quarterback could provide a much-needed spark for the Golden Eagles.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

The last head-to-head matchup between these two teams saw the Mississippi State Bulldogs secure a 41-20 victory over the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Davis Wade Stadium. Looking at recent home performance, Southern Miss has struggled significantly at M.M. Roberts Stadium, enduring five consecutive losses. Over their last 10 home games, the Golden Eagles hold a 2-8 record, averaging 20.7 points scored while giving up 30.7 points. Conversely, the Mississippi State Bulldogs have faced their own challenges on the road, suffering seven consecutive road defeats. In their last 10 away games, the Bulldogs have a 2-8 record, averaging 17.4 points scored and allowing 29.3 points.

Pick: Mississippi State Bulldogs -13.5

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are favored by 13.5 points in this matchup, and despite their struggles last season, they present a strong case to cover this spread. The implied score for this game suggests a 37-24 victory for the Bulldogs, which would put them right on the edge of covering. However, a more aggressive prediction sees Mississippi State winning 38-17, comfortably covering the -13.5 line. While Southern Miss has a new coach and an exciting transfer quarterback in Braylon Braxton, the Golden Eagles' defense was porous last season, giving up nearly 38 points per game. The Bulldogs, even with their own defensive issues, allowed slightly fewer points and have shown a tendency to perform better against the spread than their straight-up record suggests. With 64% of bettors backing the Bulldogs to cover, the market sentiment aligns with Mississippi State controlling this game and securing a victory by more than two touchdowns.