The Mississippi State Bulldogs take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in an exciting SEC matchup in Week 3. The game kicks off at 4:15 p.m. ET on Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina.
The Gamecocks are listed as four-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at O/U 58.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for this Week 3 matchup.
South Carolina vs. Mississippi State Prediction, Preview
Mississippi State Preview
It has been an exciting start to the season for Mississippi State. They were projected to finish towards the bottom of the SEC prior to the season, but the Bulldogs have shown signs of positivity through the first two weeks. Even if it was against a weak opponent, Kamario Taylor created a lot of buzz with his stellar performance against ULM in Week 1. He followed that up by showing he can do it on the road against a serious opponent like Minnesota. Now, Taylor will be faced with another big test. This will be his first SEC road game, and one of the best pass-rushers in college football will be coming after him.
South Carolina Preview
The Gamecocks have started the season 2-0, and just like Mississippi State, have raised their expectations. South Carolina has not played a real opponent yet, but they looked very sharp against Kent State in Week 1. The new Kendal Briles offense should make this a much more dangerous unit than it has been with LaNorris Sellers under past OCs. This will be their first real test of the season, against an SEC opponent, but they seem up to the task. The Gamecocks are also getting reinforcements this week. Starting left tackle Jacarrius Peak, one of the top offensive line transfers of the offseason, is set to make his Gamecock debut. Superstar EDGE Dylan Stewart is also ready to return for his first game of the season.
South Carolina vs. Mississippi State Pick, Best Bet
This is a crucial game for both teams. These teams were both picked to finish in the bottom half of the SEC by most pundits. However, both teams have very talented quarterbacks that could make some noise against elite opponents this season. This game is a great measuring stick for both teams to see if they are a bowl team that could flirt with the top half of the SEC, or if the first couple of weeks have been a bit of false hope for their fanbase.
My best bet is on South Carolina to cover as four-point favorites. Kamario Taylor has looked amazing through two games, but this is a different level than even the Minnesota game. South Carolina has one of the most underrated home-field advantages in the nation. There should be an incredible crowd for this game. Taylor will have to deal with the crowd noise, the pressure of a conference game and one of the nation’s best pass-rushers all at once in this game.
While this is a big game for the Gamecocks as well, LaNorris Sellers is very experienced at this point. He should be up to the task and make enough plays to get his team the win. The Mississippi State run defense has been quite poor through two games, ranking 123rd nationally in defensive EPA/rush. The Gamecocks should use their stable of running backs and their very mobile quarterback to move the ball on the ground and control this game.
